3 biggest question marks Cleveland Cavaliers need to answer in 2023-24

Question 2 – How will the Cavs utilize Caris LeVert?

As aforementioned, Columbus native Caris LeVert was thrown into a few different roles with the Cavs last year. In the first handful of games, LeVert was Cleveland’s starting small forward until repeatedly bouncing between a bench role and a starting role.

The lack of consistency in minutes and assignments created a tumultuous situation for LeVert. In the playoffs, he was returned to the starting roster once again when Okoro could not handle the New York Knicks well enough.

In the midst of Darius Garland’s early eye injury to start the 2022-23 season, LeVert started alongside Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt, where he had an outstanding 41-point performance to overcome the Boston Celtics.

Eventually, LeVert embraced the sixth man role. Though he is a fine enough forward, he plays best when he can have a part in orchestrating the offense. He is more of an on-ball player than most wings and forwards tend to be.

This gave the Cavaliers a real scoring option off a shallow bench lineup, averaging 12.1 points on a 51.7 percent efficient field goal percentage, and he will probably continue to thrive in this position this year. But, in the face of injury, LeVert will likely be asked to fulfill other roles again.

If the Cavaliers cannot give LeVert a consistent identity, then it is hard to imagine they will ever be able to maximize his value and possible impact. This could end up in another bout of trade rumors surrounding the veteran wing.

A rough regular season for LeVert and the overall team will lead to a eternally growing rumor mill surrounding Cleveland’s core.