3 burning questions following the Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell trade

Who will start in the small forward spot for the Cleveland Cavaliers with Lauri Markkanen dealt?

With Lauri Markkanen being traded as a part of the Donovan Mitchell trade the Cavs are left with a gaping hole in their starting small forward position with plenty of options to choose from.

The Cavs have plenty of wings available to start for them with various pros and cons to weigh out before making a definite decision.

Although, the decision will be difficult due to the lack of spacing in the frontcourt and the lack of size and defense in the backcourt.

Isaac Okoro is probably the favorite at the moment to take the starting spot despite his short stature at only six-foot-five.

He is a good defensive presence while also being capable of spacing the floor if only just a little bit, although he is a better slasher than a shooter, he can likely adjust.

The next option would be Caris LeVert, a good scorer who turns it on during the playoffs, but still a shorter option and significantly worse defensively, which would be an issue due to Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell both being subpar defensively.

Next up on the list would be Cedi Osman, a guy who is average across the board, he could possibly be a bridge to connect the gaps between the small backcourt and the two near-seven-footers at the four and the five.

Osman is an average shooter, an average defender, and can do a little bit of everything so he may just be the best choice due to his ability to do whatever the team needs in a given game.

Dean Wade and Dylan Windler are both options as well, if Wade can play better defense or if Windler can develop a jump shot both would be viable options for this Cavaliers team to start with Donovan Mitchell.

The last choice would be to find another trade partner to fill the last starting spot.

In a league stacked with good forwards, it should be no challenge for the Cavs to find a good player to fill in their starting spot.

OG Anunoby would be a great choice, a glue player who plays all around two-way basketball would fit perfectly in this roster. Back earlier in the offseason for Toronto, Anunoby seemingly expressed that he might want to find a new home outside of Toronto.

Another great choice would be Robert Covington, a great three-and-D player who shifts between the three and the four who may find himself lost in a LA Clippers rotation including Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

These are plenty of other entirely valid options to choose from, but these are by far the best if the Cleveland Cavaliers can make it work.