The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off the biggest shocker of the offseason by trading for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.
After exceeding expectations last season, the Cavs accelerated their rebuild with this trade. They have added three-time All-Star Mitchell to a core that already included two All-Stars in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen — as well as Evan Mobley, who may be the most valuable player on the entire roster.
Cleveland made the play-in tournament last season, but they are heading into the upcoming campaign as a force to be reckoned with. In addition to the stellar defense in their frontcourt with Mobley and Allen, they now have one of the best backcourts in the league with Mitchell and Garland. All four are currently 25 years old or younger.
Here is their projected starting lineup now that they have made this trade:
POINT GUARD: Darius Garland
Darius Garland finished as one of the finalists for the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season. He averaged 21.7 points per game while also taking leaps as a playmaker, finishing with 8.6 assists per game.
Cleveland also re-signed guard Ricky Rubio, a stabilizing force who will provide depth in the backcourt as a veteran leader.
SHOOTING GUARD: Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has made three consecutive All-Star appearances and has never finished with fewer than 20.0 points per game. He averaged a career-high mark in 3-pointers per game last season and will provide support as a lead scorer alongside Garland.
SMALL FORWARD: Caris LeVert
Although he did not play particularly well during his debut season in Cleveland, Caris LeVert is an interesting wing for the Cavaliers. He has above-average playmaking skills for his position and can help out when needed as a secondary ball-handler and scorer.
LeVert could also come in off the bench with either Cedi Osman or Isaac Okoro replacing him in the starting lineup. Even though he still has some limitations on offense, Okoro could be intriguing as a wing stopper on the defensive end.
POWER FORWARD: Evan Mobley
Even though he is entering only his second year in the NBA, Cleveland big man Evan Mobley is already one of the best defensive players in the league. There is a legitimate chance Mobley could earn NBA All-Defensive honors as early as next season.
Mitchell’s addition, meanwhile, should help Mobley round out his game on offense as well as opposing defenders will have to turn more attention to the backcourt.
Not to mention: Cleveland also has Kevin Love, who finished with the second-most votes for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2021-22.
CENTER: Jarrett Allen
Jarrett Allen earned his All-Star nod in 2021-22 because he is one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Cleveland is a tough team to score on when both Allen and Mobley are on the court, but Allen is also coming off a career year as a scorer (16.1 ppg) and rebounder (10.8 rpg) as well.
