?????????????????? — The Cavaliers do not enter the preseason wondering who their best players are.
Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen give Cleveland one of the most established cores in the Eastern Conference. Peyton Watson was brought in to add size, defense, and athleticism on the wing, and he figures to play a significant role regardless of where Kenny Atkinson ultimately places him in the starting lineup.
The more interesting questions begin when those players come off the floor.
Cleveland lost a significant portion of last season’s supporting cast during the offseason. Max Strus, Dennis Schröder, Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, Larry Nance Jr., and Georges Niang are all gone, taking with them a large number of minutes and several players Atkinson could trust in meaningful situations.
Now somebody else has to earn those minutes.
That is what makes Cleveland’s preseason opener against Boston on Thursday more interesting than the final score. The stars do not need to prove much in October. The players behind them do.
Sam Merrill is probably the most established reserve remaining. He gives Cleveland shooting and understands Atkinson’s system, but the rest of the rotation is much less settled.
Craig Porter Jr. has shown that he can handle backup point guard responsibilities in stretches, and this preseason gives him another opportunity to prove he can become a more dependable part of the rotation. Tyrese Proctor is entering his second season and should have another opportunity to carve out a role after spending last year learning behind a veteran-heavy backcourt.
Then there is Meleek Thomas.
The rookie guard was Cleveland’s second-round pick this summer and arrives with obvious scoring ability, but asking a 20-year-old to immediately become a dependable NBA rotation player is a much different challenge than asking him to score in college. Thomas does not need to become a major contributor immediately, but preseason minutes should begin to show how quickly he can defend, make decisions, and function within Cleveland’s offense.
The competition on the wing and in the frontcourt may be even more interesting. Cam Whitmore gives Cleveland another athletic scoring option, while Mario Hezonja returns to the NBA after spending years overseas and gives the Cavaliers another experienced 6-foot-8 player who can handle several roles.
Jaylon Tyson is entering his third season, Nae’Qwan Tomlin remains an intriguing athletic option, and Riley Minix will have another chance to prove he belongs in the rotation. Behind Mobley and Allen, Thomas Bryant returns as the most experienced reserve big, while Khalifa Diop and rookie Ernest Udeh Jr. give Atkinson additional size to evaluate.
There are plenty of options, but the question is how many of them Atkinson will trust when the games begin to matter.
That is particularly important for a Cavaliers team that is no longer simply trying to make the playoffs. Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and the expectations surrounding this roster are considerably higher now.
A good bench helps during an 82-game regular season. A trustworthy bench becomes even more important when the playoffs arrive and coaches begin shortening rotations.
Atkinson does not need 12 players he trusts equally. By April, he may only need eight or nine, but he has to find them first.
The departures from last year’s roster create opportunity. Porter can earn a larger role. Proctor can show that another year of development has changed what he can provide. Thomas can prove that his offense translates quickly enough to get him on the floor. Whitmore can provide another source of scoring punch, while Tyson and Tomlin can push for minutes and Hezonja has an opportunity to show that his experience overseas can translate back to the NBA.
Some of those players will separate themselves. Others will not. That is what preseason basketball is about.
Nobody is going to remember whether Cleveland beats Boston on Thursday. What will matter is whether Atkinson begins finding answers behind the players he already knows he can trust.
The Cavaliers have stars.
Now they need to figure out who’s in their orbit.
