Cavs Rumors: Depth Chart, Lonzo Ball, Dean Wade

Depth should again be a strength for the Cavaliers next season, yes, even with the loss of Ty Jerome, wrote Jackson Flickinger of Fear The Sword.

As you know, the Cavs lost Jerome to Memphis in free agency and Isaac Okoro to Chicago in the Lonzo Ball trade. Cleveland’s two big additions were Ball and Larry Nance Jr.

So the Cavs are looking at a backcourt rotation of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Ball, Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr., and potentially rookie Tyrese Proctor.

As for the wings, it’ll be De’Andre Hunter, Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson, who’s expected to play a bigger role in his second NBA season (perhaps taking Okoro’s old minutes).

Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will continue to start as the bigs, with Nance Jr. and Dean Wade presumably first off the bench. For now, anyway. Wade has been involved in multiple trade rumors and there’s talk that two-way man Nae’Qwan Tomlin could play himself into the regular rotation.

Of course, none of this needs to be figured out today (or frankly, even before, like, March). But it’s always fun to think about the roster in mid-July. Flickinger took an in-depth look and I’d encourage you to check it out here.

Ball Talk

Speaking of Fear The Sword, Izzy Sy wrote a deep dive on Ball, mapping out how the veteran point guard could help the Cavs where they need it most (link).

Frankly, I think Ball is an upgrade over Jerome, particularly in the playoffs. That’s nothing against Jerome, who was magnificent in the regular season. He’s a big reason the Cavs finished 64-18, and let there be no doubt, he will be missed.

But Ball adds size and strength, and if he can stay on the floor, should have no trouble operating the offense against bigger, physical guards. The key with Ball, though, is if he can stay injury-free and available. It’s something he hasn’t been able to do in about four years.

Wade Chatter

One league source told me he believes it’s “50-50” on whether the Cavs trade Wade before the season. While Cleveland isn’t feeling desperate to move him, interest across the league has been high because Wade does such a nice job defensively, the source said.

I strongly suspect the Cavs want to bring in a viable backup center/power forward, and I predict they will do just that before training camp in the fall. But they’re in no hurry.

How any of it impacts Wade remains to be seen, but know this — the Cavs are far from determined to move him. They’ve already made it clear they’re not just going to give him away.

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