Cavaliers depth chart after the 2023 NBA Draft and before free agency

The 2023 NBA Draft was a quiet one for the Cleveland Cavaliers, coming in with a single second-round draft pick and exiting with a single second-round draft pick selection. Emoni Bates from Eastern Michigan will be coming aboard, but that’s the only addition or subtraction.

Heading into the draft there were certainly conversations about a larger move, be that trading up into the first round or purchasing another second-round pick. Instead, the Cavaliers enter free agency still needing to fill multiple spots in their rotation.

What does the depth chart look at each position heading out of the draft and into free agency? Let’s break it down.

Cavaliers’ depth chart at guard

Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are entrenched at the two starting guard positions, as they were for every game they played in last season. Barring something insane and unexpected, the Cavaliers won’t be shopping for a replacement to start.

It’s the depth behind them that is shakier. Ricky Rubio is under contract for this season but had a shaky return from injury last season. How much does the organization trust him to bounce back after a full offseason of recovery and rehab? The Cavs also have Sam Merrill on a non-guaranteed deal, and he can handle the ball a little even as his NBA role is being defined as more of a movement shooter.

What’s coming: The Cavaliers almost certainly have to sign another point guard as both Ricky Rubio insurance and to fill minutes when either Rubio or Garland miss time. They won’t invest a lot in this position, instead shopping on the bargain market for a third point guard. It’s possible they bring back Raul Neto in that role, but not probable. Otherwise, with Garland and Mitchell in line for heavy minutes, there isn’t much need here for more.