3 things to watch for during Cavs 2022 preseason action

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Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /

3 things you should watch for during Cavs preseason: No. 1 – Who will start at the 3?

In all fairness, this question was probably asked before last season as well. However, with the addition of Mitchell, the need for a versatile wing player becomes more important. From the outside looking in, you might think this is a two-horse race between Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade.

Okoro, who was the fifth overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, has taken fans on a small roller coaster throughout his young career. Some games he looks aggressive on defense, and more than willing to shoot or attack the basket. Then, the next game he might go 0-4 from three-point range, and finish with four points, and two turnovers. Okoro is still a young, raw player, but his two-way potential hasn’t come to fruition in the first two years of his career.

While Okoro may be the younger, more athletic option, Dean Wade could also start on the wing if head coach J.B. Bickerstaff would like to keep playing a “tall” lineup. Wade stands at 6’9″ and can defend the wing well. He has also shot over 35% from deep during his career so far, so he’s a solid option for Mitchell and Garland to find when they attack the basket. Oh, and the Cavaliers just signed Wade to a three-year, $18.5 million dollar extension (with $16.5 million reportedly fully-guaranteed), so it’s possible he has the inside track on the starting role.

Along with this two players in Okoro and Wade, Caris LeVert could seemingly factor into here as well. LeVert is now fully healthy, and has reportedly looked good in training camp, so with his offensive abilities, he could be in the running as well it seems.

Over the next two weeks, it will be interesting to see if Bickerstaff mixes up his lineups, or picks his starters and keeps it. However, what might be more telling for the Cavs future is who finishes the game. The players that Bickerstaff selects for crunch time, are the players he trusts most, so make sure to keep an eye out for that.

Granted, one might not takeaway as much in preseason closing stretches, as an aside.

There’s also a possibility that a guy like Cedi Osman or Lamar Stevens has a great run of games and earns his way into the starting role. No matter the outcome, this is the training camp battle to keep an eye on.