Expecting this from Caris LeVert for Cavs would be wishful thinking

As we inch closer to the start of the 2022-23 regular season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, we know that four of the five starting spots are set.

The two backcourt positions are set to be Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, following Cleveland acquiring Mitchell via trade from the Utah Jazz in a shocker last month, and the two frontcourt spots are set. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will be filling in there.

Mobley is currently recovering and getting treatment for a sprained right ankle, which happened early this week, but he should seemingly be back for the season opener at the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. I probably wouldn’t expect him to play in Cleveland’s remaining three preseason games this next week ahead.

As for the starting 3, that’s still not solidified. Caris LeVert got the starting nod in the first preseason game at the Philadelphia 76ers on this now-past Wednesday, although he, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler are set to be in the running for that spot.

It does seem as if LeVert and Okoro are the two favorites to ultimately land that spot, in fairness. I’d lean Wade for that spot for a blend of defense and off-ball shooting, but I’d more so expect LeVert or Okoro to land that role. Those two and Wade could seemingly all be getting a fair amount of minutes, either way.

As it pertains to LeVert’s outlook, however, I personally believe that while he could benefit from Garland and Mitchell’s abilities, it’s probably wishful thinking to expect LeVert to play more off-ball for considerable stretches than has typically played out in his career.

Expecting LeVert to function efficiently as much more so an off-ball player for the Cavs would be wishful thinking.

It looks to be a good possibility that LeVert could enter the season as a starter, as we’ve mentioned. It’s not a certainty, but either way, it does seem that he could very well play in stretches with Garland and Mitchell, for an offensive look of three perimeter shot creators.

I do acknowledge that in some matchups, sure, I’d understand the Cavs’ reasoning for doing so. LeVert is a player who can initiate for other guys, too.

That said, to me, it’s wishful to believe that LeVert could be highly effective in a role where he’s often playing off the ball primarily for considerable stretches of games, let alone with that being for real chunks of stretches of games.

We’ll examine that further next.