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Ranking all 32 players in tonight’s Cavs vs Lakers game

By Josh Cornelissen

Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers and Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers and Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /
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Mamadi Diakite, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /

Ranking all 32 players in Cavs vs Lakers: Replacement Level Players

These guys are NBA players but don’t factor into their team’s rotation when everyone is healthy.

28. Max Christie, Guard, LAL – The 35th pick in this summer’s draft, Christie is a 6’6″ shooting guard with a comfortable outside shot and a good motor. The former Michigan State Spartan has only appeared in 10 games this year but profiles as a decent 3-and-D option for the Lakers in the next couple of years.

27. Kendrick Nunn, Guard, LAL – Kendrick Nunn had his breakout with the Miami Heat and was signed last year by the Lakers to play a key role. Unfortunately, he missed last season with an injury and has been abysmal this year. He theoretically can create his own shot and is a tough defender, but little of that has been on display in LA.

26. Wenyen Gabriel, Forward, LAL – Gabriel has floated around the NBA as he seeks to carve out a guaranteed spot in the league, playing on seven teams in four seasons. He is a rangy big who isn’t a particularly good shot-blocker or shooter, but he plays hard and can switch on the perimeter decently well. He’s a good player to have on the back end of a roster.

25. Damian Jones, Center, LAL – The second Vanderbilt player to appear on the Lakers’ roster, Damian Jones was onetime a late first-round pick of the Golden State Warriors. He has bounced around the league after his rookie contract looking for a landing spot and developed into a decent-enough stretch-5, enticing the Lakers to sign him this summer. He has played in 11 games this season with one start.

24. Mamadi Diakite, Big, CLE – After a strong college career at Virginia, Mamadi Diakite has floated around the backs of a few rosters. He has played well in spot minutes for the Cavs and suddenly was thrust into the starting lineup twice in the last week, the first time as a key defensive piece in shutting down Joel Embiid.

23. Raul Neto, Guard, CLE – He’s a steady point guard; we could end the blurb there. Neto can’t shoot and isn’t going to score at a high level from anywhere on the court, but he is a solid passer and a pesky defender. He’s the Cavs’ third point guard and plays when either Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland is out, and he fills in competently.