3 reasons we could see Ochai Agbaji break into Cavs starting lineup

Reason No. 3: Okoro and Markkanen shouldn’t be starting

Isaac Okoro has made a valiant job and trying to become a starter for the team, but the experiment needs to end now. While Okoro is an excellent defender and that part of his game is needed, he needs to be benched. His value to the team could be much more coming off the bench with a second unit.

The Cavs have other players too that could replace Okoro at that two spot he started at a year ago. Obviously, if Sexton were to return, he’d take Okoro’s spot on the floor. LeVert could replace him as well.

Markkanen, as we mentioned already, was part of this three big men starting lineup that their coach Bickerstaff tried throwing out there on a nightly basis last season, although injuries did limit the opportunities for that as the year wore on. While he can score and was good with his three-point shooting, he was more of a liability on defense and hurt the team in the long run.

Placing Agbaji in that starting five now just makes too much sense. The team needs scoring, but they also need a better defender in the starting five and he’d be much more reliable than a player like Markkanen.

Plus, Markkanen’s value would be better if he were coming off the bench and giving either Allen or Mobley a break during games. A second unit for the Cavs that included Markkanen, Okoro, Kevin Love, Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens could be really good, and the team would be so deep with talent.

Even though Agbaji would be a rookie, he is a very experienced rookie having played ball for the national champs in the Kansas Jayhawks.

He is more than ready to start and would give the Cavaliers a more well-rounded starting unit that would be more competitive from the jump.