These 3 Cavs need to reach out and seize a rotation spot in preseason
3 Cavs who can seize a rotation spot in preseason: Raul Neto
Raul Neto is in a very bizarre position with the current roster. On the one hand, with Ricky Rubio out for a few months rehabbing from a torn ACL, Raul Neto is the clear backup point guard behind Darius Garland. That’s almost certainly the pitch made to Neto in offering him a minimum deal to join the Cavs this summer.
Then the Donovan Mitchell trade occurred, which did two things to call Neto’s role into question. First, it brought in a combo guard in Mitchell who is a reasonable option to run the offense as the “point guard” without Garland on the court. Secondly, it may push Caris LeVert onto bench units to serve as a primary or secondary ball-handler.
Both of these could squeeze Neto’s role and minutes to start the season. There are 96 backcourt minutes available to a team in a 48-minute game. If Garland gets 34, Mitchell gets 34, and Caris LeVert gets 28…that’s all of the minutes. There are none left for Neto to seize. That’s not even counting minutes for Isaac Okoro at the 2.
Neto has to prove he is such an upgrade as a floor general and defender as compared to Mitchell and LeVert that Bickerstaff has to put him on the court in Garland’s absence. He’ll still be the odd man out when Ricky Rubio returns, but a few months of running the bench could be enough to get him traded by the deadline or catch on for a slightly larger deal next summer.
Next. 3 Cavs players who won’t be on the team by next season. dark
The Cavs have depth this season, which from the team side is a blessing. Injuries will strike, and this year’s Cavaliers are better set up to weather them. Yet only so many players can suit up each game, and these three Cavs needs to ball out in preseason to seize one of the spots available.