These Cavaliers players are on the playoff rotation chopping block

With the 2023 NBA Playoffs fast approaching, the conversations of who will make the Cleveland Cavaliers postseason rotation will ramp up.

Typically, NBA coaches like to keep their rotations smaller, and starters will usually play heavy minutes, with a few key reserves getting minutes while the starters rest.

While the Cavaliers possess one of the top starting units in the entire NBA, their bench has lacked constant production all season.

To that point, the Cavaliers are averaging 28.1 bench points per game, which ranks 28th among all teams. The bench also shoots just 44.5 percent from the floor (27th) and 33.6 percent from three-point range (23rd).

However, certain members of the Cavs bench have begun to emerge during March, most notably Caris LeVert. In 12 games this month, LeVert is averaging 14 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the floor and 46 percent from beyond the arc.

Having LeVert be that consistent scoring threat, who has also helped in other ways, will be critical for the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are going to need some rest, and having LeVert be able to score will be vital.

Players like Cedi Osman, who is averaging 43 percent from three-point range this month, will likely crack the playoff rotation, as will Ricky Rubio, a steady veteran presence who can also spell the Cavalier guards.

Beyond those three players, the rotation might come to an end there. But, someone like Lamar Stevens could have a role come playoff time, especially if Isaac Okoro (provided his knee soreness is not a continual issue by then) finds himself in foul trouble and J.B. Bickerstaff needs a trusted wing defender.

Stevens has displayed toughness and embodies this Cavaliers team’s “Junkyard Dog” mentality.

So, from there, which Cavaliers players are likely on the playoff rotation chopping block?

Beyond that, players such as Dean Wade, Raul Neto, and Robin Lopez might not see much or any time this postseason.

Wade has only topped 20 minutes once in a game since Feb. 10, which likely means he is not on the top of Bickerstaff’s list to be in the playoff rotation.

Neto has given the Cavaliers energy minutes in a handful of games this season. He isn’t a scoring threat, but Bickstaff has applauded his ability to be a spark for the Cavaliers when they’ve needed one this season.

As for Lopez, he has only seen double-digit minutes in one game since the calendar turned to 2023. Lopez is a nice veteran presence and, in an absolute pinch, can give the Cavs a few minutes, but it is unlikely he will play critical postseason minutes.

Speaking of a veteran presence, Danny Green is another name people have wondered about. Since joining the Cavaliers last month, he has barely seen the floor as he continues recovering from an ACL injury last spring and the team gets him eases him in still.

While some may have thought Green would make a more immediate impact for the Cavs, his addition was made with more of a long-term plan in mind. While Green isn’t the player he once was, he brings a wealth of postseason knowledge and experience to the Cavaliers locker room.

Green also ranks ninth all-time in playoff three-point shots made (314), and Bickerstaff could turn to him in a bind.

If I had to guess, I would say the Cavaliers rotation would look something like this:

Starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

For Sure Reserves: Caris LeVert, Ricky Rubio, Cedi Osman

Could See Time: Lamar Stevens, Danny Green

Mop-Up Duty/Playing Due to Injury: Robin Lopez, Raul Neto, Dean Wade

It’s never easy for a coaching staff to trim down a rotation, but feelings have to go out the window, as their objective is to assemble the best rotation possible.

What is working in the Cavaliers favor is that those bench players who will be included in the postseason rotation are playing some of their best basketball right now.

J.B. Bickerstaff and the rest of the Cavs coaching staff can only hope that continues once the playoffs begin next month.