Who will lead the Cavs in bench scoring in 2022-23?

LeVert could factor in, among others

I would rather Cleveland end up going with either Wade or Stevens for defensive purposes, with some offensive abilities in mind as well, along with size based on Cleveland’s success last year, as an aside.

If LeVert is more often coming off the bench as a crucial offensive presence, he’ll likely have his share of opportunities on-ball and perhaps to facilitate off that, anyhow. He was more successful last season as the starting 2 in terms of overall efficiency but, in general, he had some trouble getting into a rhythm because of a foot injury post-All-Star break after his trade acquisition from the Indiana Pacers.

LeVert, who had 13.6 points with Cleveland last regular season in 19 games, could be better in a key bench role this coming season. That’s with more time to have gotten acclimated, and while he could be a potential trade candidate, with him currently in the last year of his deal, he could be a very useful offensive bench piece, and should be, post-Mitchell trade.

As far as other potential options in the running, if he’s around and/or receives opportunities for a rotational spark, Cedi Osman could be among the bench scoring leaders again.

If there’s ample playmaking around him, Osman, who had 10.7 points per game last season, can be effective in his role, provided there’s clarity in it. It’s tough to say on that, though, as Osman has seemingly long been a rumored possible trade candidate, and either way, his minutes could very well be spiratic, given his up-and-down play.

Lastly, it’ll feasibly be January as for when he’s back and seemingly in some of a rhythm at least, but Ricky Rubio, who was brought back via free agency, could maybe be a notable bench scoring presence also.

Last season, he had what tied for a career-best with 13.1 points per contest in a supersub role, to go with 6.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. That was in 34 appearances prior to his ACL tear, for context.

I just personally wouldn’t imagine we’ll see that level of scoring production this upcoming season from Rubio, and that’s not what the Cavs now realistically need from him when he is back. His playmaking should again be invaluable, along with his leadership, though.

So, to wrap on this question, while we’ll have to see if LeVert and/or Osman are potentially moved at some point in the 2022-23 campaign, and/or how the starting lineup shakes out, I’d probably go with Love to lead Cleveland’s bench in scoring.

It’s difficult to forecast how often Love would project to be in closing lineups at this point, as he’s now 34, and there’s defensive concerns there, however, on nights he’s really rolling, he’ll have his case.

And for what it’s worth, despite Love possibly being an expiring trade candidate himself, theoretically, he’s so valuable to the Cavs. Perhaps him/his representation and the Cavaliers could look into a reasonable new deal this next offseason, if he can prove he can stay mostly healthy in this newer role.