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Predicting what the Cavs’ 2022-23 season looks like

By Quinn Minnich

The Cleveland Cavaliers huddle up prior to a game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers huddle up prior to a game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images /

Roster

I already mentioned what the Cavs 10-man rotation should be come the start of the regular season, but I’ve made some opinion changes and I think the lineup should be changed. Here is my opinion on what it should be.

Darius Garland at the point, Isaac Okoro at the two-guard, Lauri Markkanen at the 3, Evan Mobley at the 4, and Jarrett Allen manning the middle. You may be asking, “Why not start Collin Sexton? His scoring abilities would really help this team!”

Well, in my opinion, while writing an article, I found out that Sexton would definitely be a better fit on the bench rather than being a starter. Sexton’s lack of defensive abilities would be the main reason he’d be on the bench, but like Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, can play a lot of minutes.

Garland is an obvious choice for the point guard, as he was one of the league’s best playmakers and was arguably Cleveland’s best player this year. Okoro at the shooting guard was in the running for it alongside Caris LeVert and Collin Sexton, but his defense (even if his defense is a bit overrated) is the main reason he’s starting.

Garland and Markkanen are nowhere near stellar perimeter defenders, so someone needs to be able to do that in the starting 5, in my opinion. As for Markkanen, he’d be there to stretch the floor and help the offense run, considering he shot 37.1% on catch-and-shoot 3 pointers, according to NBA.com’s shot tracking data. Evan Mobley is also an obvious pick here, as he was the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year for most of the season, and should really improve next season if everything goes well. Jarrett Allen is the heart and soul of the Cavs’ defense, so putting him at the 5 is the best and most obvious choice.

For the bench, I’d imagine this consists of a group of Brandon Goodwin or Ricky Rubio (if either sign with Cleveland this offseason), Collin Sexton, Caris LeVert, Dean Wade, Lamar Stevens, and Kevin Love. I also would not be surprised if Cedi Osman or Collin Sexton are traded during the trade deadline to acquire someone better to fit the roster. However, this bench one of the league’s best, in my opinion.

Sexton, LeVert, and Love are 3 starting-quality players, but are coming off of the bench in my prediction. Dean Wade provides floor spacing, and Lamar Stevens is the hard-nosed, tough defender that Cleveland likes.