The Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster is about 90% complete following the NBA Draft and free agency moves, with the exception of two more players the team can sign at around $4 million a year. The main core of the team remains intact, with the only losses being Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman. Max Strus and Georges Niang will provide much-needed shooting and floor spacing to help Cleveland’s offense take off.
After the way last season ended, J.B. Bickerstaff needs to focus on maximizing shooting in all types of lineups. The Cavs finished last in pace a year ago and relied too heavily on Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell to create plays in the halfcourt. The new additions will help maximize the offense without sacrificing the defense that this team was built on.
All new Cavalier lineups
Although the Cavs likely added just two players who will see significant minutes in the postseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see new combinations of players from last year being used for the majority of the season. Georges Niang may not be a superstar-level player, but his size and shooting versatility allow the Cavs to be more creative with their lineups compared to last year.
The roster this season is built with more versatility and a variety of skill sets. A major limitation last season was that many players had similar strengths and weaknesses. The best teams have different lineups they can utilize in various situations, based on the opponent’s playing style. Last year, the Cavs relied on essentially the same lineup throughout the game and substituted players with similar weaknesses, resulting in a repetitive, losing first-round series.
Here are four new lineups the Cavaliers can deploy to enhance their chances of a deeper postseason run.
Lineup No. 1: Main lineup
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Max Strus
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Nearly identical to last year, the only change in the team’s likely starting and closing lineup is at the small forward position. New free agent Max Strus may not possess the size of a typical three-and-D wing, but he brings a much-needed sharpshooting ability from beyond the arc.
As a nearly 37 percent three-point shooter, averaging around six attempts per game for his career, Max Strus is an ideal complement to the core four in this lineup. His proficiency playing off-ball, combined with his ability to shoot effectively even with tight defensive coverage, makes him perfect for spacing the Cleveland offense. Defenses will need to assign a high-level defender to him to prevent him from getting open looks. This level of attention is in stark contrast to what Isaac Okoro experienced last year, where he was essentially ignored by the Knicks as they focused on guarding Mitchell and Garland.
While Strus isn’t renowned for his elite defensive skills, Erik Spoelstra often preferred Strus over other rotation players on the Miami Heat due to his upper body strength. Strus may not be a lockdown defender against the opposing team’s best player, but he is not a liability, and his length can be masked when playing alongside Mobley and Allen. The improved spacing and the addition of a capable shooter to the lineup have the potential to elevate Cleveland into one of the league’s better offenses.
Lineup No. 2: Second unit
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Isaac Okoro
SF: Caris LeVert
PF: Georges Niang
C: Jarrett Allen
Finding ways to manage bench units without sacrificing production is crucial for teams aspiring to win a championship. When Mitchell and Mobley need a break, keeping Garland and Allen together can maintain the pick-and-roll as the primary offensive weapon for this lineup. Substituting Niang for Strus maintains the spacing that the initial lineup offered, as Niang is a player who has shot around 40 percent from three-point range on approximately four attempts per game throughout his career, albeit not nearly Strus’ volume.
With two of the team’s main offensive focal points coming off the bench in Mitchell and Mobley, inserting LeVert allows him to assume the role of the true number two in the lineup, where he excels. Last year, he was forced to be the wing alongside Mitchell and Garland, requiring him to play more off-ball than usual. Allowing him to enter the game with this lineup enables him to showcase his creativity as a ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations and reduces the instances where he needs to be a spot-up shooter.
While Isaac Okoro may not currently be a favorite among fans, recent moves have solidified his position as the team’s best perimeter defender and a meaningful rebounder. His shooting still leaves room for improvement, as his efficiency has increased, but his confidence appears to be lacking. Nevertheless, Okoro can still provide valuable minutes off the bench, serving as the go-to player for perimeter defense.
Lineup No. 3: Small-ball lineup
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Max Strus
PF: Georges Niang
C: Evan Mobley
By incorporating both new additions, this lineup can achieve a level of spacing that the team has never experienced before. With Strus and Niang on the floor, defenses will need to account for two high-level shooters. The other three playmakers in the game will have ample space to operate, facilitating the creation of better scoring opportunities.
To prevent this lineup from being overwhelmed, Mobley will need to excel in rebounding. None of the other four players are strong rebounders, and if the rebounding disadvantage becomes significant, Okoro could be inserted into this lineup.
With Mobley’s continued improvement as a shooter, this lineup boasts four highly capable three-point shooters, along with a big man who can occasionally stretch the floor. The enhanced spacing for the backcourt and the increased opportunities in transition would revolutionize the team’s offense and make it easier to generate good scoring chances.
Transitioning from a lineup with only two shooters to this lineup represents a significant improvement for a team that values shooting. This particular lineup will provide the most effective spacing for the Cavs since Garland was drafted, enabling all the key players to unlock their full offensive potential.
Lineup No. 4: Tall-ball lineup
PG: Donovan Mitchell
SG: Max Strus
SF: Georges Niang
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
The combination of size and spacing in this lineup could make it formidable in a series similar to last year’s first-round matchup. The primary concern with this lineup is how Georges Niang will defend against wing players. While the ability to space the floor and execute different pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop plays with Allen, Mobley, and Niang would contribute to the unit’s success on offense, Niang’s lack of quickness could create additional pressure on the big men in the paint.
This lineup could have been a potential solution against the Knicks, as it would have added size while maintaining significant spacing. However, the main challenge arises when guards exploit Niang’s defensive limitations and attack him in the mid-range, as Jalen Brunson did against Cedi Osman.
If Niang’s defense in this lineup proves to be too problematic, inserting Caris LeVert becomes an excellent option to alleviate some of Donovan Mitchell’s ball-handling responsibilities. Okoro could also be considered for this role, but it is crucial to manage his playing time alongside both Mobley and Allen to prevent the offense from stagnating and generating poor shot opportunities.
Despite free agency primarily focused on acquiring role players and depth pieces, the Cavaliers will enter the next season with a significantly broader range of lineup options. The additions of Strus and Niang bring increased spacing to every lineup, and Niang’s size allows for flexibility in playing small or big depending on the matchup. While the Cavs didn’t acquire Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard, the moves they made are excellent for enabling the team’s core to perform at their highest level.