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Two winners and two losers from Cavs 2022 preseason

By Quinn Minnich

Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) /

Winner No. 1: Isaac Okoro

As it seems to me, Isaac Okoro will probably start this season off of the bench, as maybe the 7th man in the rotation. However, his play in these 4 preseason games was spectacular, in my eyes. He shot 66.7% from the field, and a tremendous 42.9% from three as well. Not saying I was right, but in an article I wrote a while ago, I wrote about how his 3-point percentage had a good chance of increasing significantly. I’m not saying Okoro will start being lights-out from distance, but I do think he could shoot above 40% from distance.

Also, Okoro’s defense and finishing looked better than the previous year, which is a good sight to see. He also shot 100% on his free throws, shooting 1.8 per night within 4 games. Free throws have never been Okoro’s weak point, but they’ve never been his best, either. He’s shot 74.7% from the charity stripe in his two-year career, so he’s around league average.

I do believe he’ll start the year on the bench, but he will end the season as the starting small forward. He’ll be more of a threat as a 3-and-D wing, and should seemingly get a solid contract extension next offseason.

Winner No. 2: Caris LeVert

I did think that last season, in his 19 regular season games played with the Cavaliers, that Caris LeVert didn’t get enough time to get used to his teammates and coaches. I do believe he’ll be better this season, and these preseason games showed he can be.

He averaged 11.7 points on 50% from the field and 41.7% from deep. Unlike Okoro, I do think LeVert will be the starting small forward, meaning his perimeter defense will have to be better, and I think it can and will happen. LeVert does have a 6’10” wingspan, so based off of that, he should be able to be a solid defender.

I’m not J.B. Bickerstaff, but I do like the idea of both Kevin Love and Caris LeVert off of the bench. The bench scoring and playmaking possibilities make me and other Cavs fans salivate. Also, considering Ricky Rubio will join that bench squad once he’s healthy, that should really make Cavaliers fans happy.