Projecting the Cavs’ stat leaders for the 2022-23 season

Cavs category No. 5: Steals per game

Projected leader: Darius Garland

Last season Ricky Rubio won this title though he went out injured halfway through the season. Garland was just behind him with a 1.3 average. Last season Garland had nine games of grabbing more than three steals in a game. I could see a player like Isaac Okoro competing some this season for this title too. Okoro is getting better defensively, and it could be one category he could win by season’s end.

Cavs category No. 6: Three-pointers made per game

Projected leader: Lauri Markkanen

Darius Garland led the team in both three-point attempts and three-point shots made, in terms of per game that is. He averaged 2.6 made for every 6.7 shots taken. Veteran Kevin Love finished with 2.5 shots made per 6.4 shots taken per game; Love led the team in total threes made, with 187.

Lauri Markkanen took 6.2 shots per game and made 2.2 shots per game. I believe Markkanen will continue to gain more confidence playing with the Cavs and he’ll overtake Garland for the win in this category. Markkanen has a reputation to be a three-point sharpshooter and he’ll show that more next season.

Cavs category No. 7: Free throw percentage

Projected leader: Darius Garland

Garland led the team with an 89% made average last year. Markkanen finished in second place with an 86% average. Garland shot 241 free throws in total. The team was actually led in free throw attempts by Evan Mobley with 252 of them but Mobley shot a poor 66%.

If Mobley can keep getting better just by getting to the line and making more free throws, he should be able to increase his scoring average a considerable amount.

But Garland will continue to be almost automatic from the line. I see him getting into the 90% range next season.

Every point will matter as the Cavs look to get to the playoffs.