Building the Cavs rotation means going two by two

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Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images /

Building the Cavs rotation 2×2: Filling the hole

Finally, the two groups above need a fifth player. This spot is more fluid and can be swapped out from night to night depending on the matchups, but as a general baseline who should be in line to play with each group?

Let’s assume that Isaac Okoro is starting, which is probably the best option to balance the rest of the rotation and build toward the best lineup of the future. Given that his best skill is defense and he is specifically gifted at guarding backcourt players, he would fit best with the Darius Garland shift. He can be interchangeable with Caris LeVert on defense and that group can focus on a heliocentric look around DG similar to last season, with an elite defensive unit and Garland running the show. The benefit is that when teams trap Garland he will have a natural outlet in LeVert.

For the other grouping there are two intriguing options. The first is to go for a more natural 3-and-D option such as Cedi Osman. With Kevin Love or Evan Mobley handling from the elbow and Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell handling on the outside, Osman is free to lean into his inner movement-shooter and try to keep the floor wide open.

The other option is less orthodox and more interesting. Rubio, Mitchell, Mobley and Love could represent two guards and two bigs, or it could represent 1-4 in a jumbo lineup. Moving Mobley to small forward means you can add Robin Lopez into the game. That lineup has four players who are at least willing to shoot, making it more tenable, and Lopez can bring a lot of size to the table and between he and Love they would dominate the glass. The Cavs succeeded last season by going big; this would be another version of it.

Next. Cavs should follow the Lakers’ lead with their Russell Westbrook decision. dark

Here’s what the final rotation would look like: the starting 5 of Garland, Mitchell, Okoro, Mobley and Allen beginning and ending each half. In between, there would be two groups centered around a star pairing. Dean Wade, Caris LeVert and Okoro would pair with Garland and Allen for the first shift; Mobley and Mitchell would take on Rubio, Love and Osman (or even Lopez!) for the second shift. 10 players, set roles, and the potential for a lot of chemistry to develop.

You’re welcome J.B.