- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,256,522
- Reaction score
- 59
In a Bleacher Report story called "Ranking Every NBA Starting Lineup After LeBron James Signs with Philadelphia 76ers," NBA analyst Greg Swartz ranked the Cleveland Cavaliers seventh.
The Cavaliers are expected to start James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen next season.
"Four of the Cleveland Cavaliers' starting positions are locked in, assuming Harden returns on a new contract," Swartz wrote. "Strus and Jaylon Tyson could battle for the fifth spot, and the latter makes more sense with his three-point shooting and on-ball defense. Head coach Kenny Atkinson clearly preferred Strus to Tyson in the playoffs, however.
"Cleveland has four starters who have all made All-Star teams in recent years, yet the small forward position remains a question mark."
The Cavaliers made the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 1992 without LeBron on the roster. That high was short-lived, as the New York Knicks swept Cleveland.
It's been a tough offseason for the Wine and Gold, who lost Dean Wade to the 76ers, Keon Ellis to the Brooklyn Nets and Larry Nance Jr. to the Indiana Pacers. The Cavaliers did sign Mario Hezonja after LeBron went to the 76ers. Without LeBron, Cleveland's core remains the same: Harden, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen. We'll see if that core can get over the hump next season.
On paper, the Cavaliers' starting lineup looks really good, but championships are not won on paper. Harden and Mitchell have to be better in the playoffs and Mobley and Allen can't get soft when it matters most.
Speaking of Harden, the future Hall of Famer is waiting to sign his new deal with the Cavaliers because he wants to give the franchise financial flexibility to acquire Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson or Jonathan Kuminga, who is an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his 2026-27 team option.
It will be intriguing to see if the Cavaliers get Watson or Kuminga. Cleveland's would start Watson or Kuminga over Strus. That change would make the Cavaliers' starting five even more dangerous.
Continue reading...
The Cavaliers are expected to start James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen next season.
"Four of the Cleveland Cavaliers' starting positions are locked in, assuming Harden returns on a new contract," Swartz wrote. "Strus and Jaylon Tyson could battle for the fifth spot, and the latter makes more sense with his three-point shooting and on-ball defense. Head coach Kenny Atkinson clearly preferred Strus to Tyson in the playoffs, however.
"Cleveland has four starters who have all made All-Star teams in recent years, yet the small forward position remains a question mark."
The Cavaliers made the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 1992 without LeBron on the roster. That high was short-lived, as the New York Knicks swept Cleveland.
It's been a tough offseason for the Wine and Gold, who lost Dean Wade to the 76ers, Keon Ellis to the Brooklyn Nets and Larry Nance Jr. to the Indiana Pacers. The Cavaliers did sign Mario Hezonja after LeBron went to the 76ers. Without LeBron, Cleveland's core remains the same: Harden, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen. We'll see if that core can get over the hump next season.
On paper, the Cavaliers' starting lineup looks really good, but championships are not won on paper. Harden and Mitchell have to be better in the playoffs and Mobley and Allen can't get soft when it matters most.
Speaking of Harden, the future Hall of Famer is waiting to sign his new deal with the Cavaliers because he wants to give the franchise financial flexibility to acquire Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson or Jonathan Kuminga, who is an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his 2026-27 team option.
It will be intriguing to see if the Cavaliers get Watson or Kuminga. Cleveland's would start Watson or Kuminga over Strus. That change would make the Cavaliers' starting five even more dangerous.
Continue reading...
