Who Should Be the Cavs’ Fifth Playoff Starter?

Okoro has been playing the best basketball of his NBA career this season. Since his shoulder injury in December, he’s shot just 29% from three. Before the injury, he was shooting 51% from deep.

Okoro typically doesn’t light the box score on fire with his play. He is one of those unsung heroes who does the dirty work and hits open shots.

Kenny Atkinson trusts Okoro to guard anybody in the game, making him an important chess piece come playoff time. Lately, he has stepped up his game as he regains his comfort and confidence. Look no further than the recent game against Sacramento. Isaac subbed in at the start of the second quarter with the Cavs down four. Seven points, two offensive rebounds, one assist and a steal later, all from Okoro, and Cleveland is leading by seven.

Okoro’s impact on the game is becoming louder. The Cavs may call his name more often this postseason because of it.

DE’ANDRE HUNTER

*stats with Cleveland this season*

• 14.0 PPG/3.9 RPG/1.3 APG – 63.8 TS%/42.5 3PT%
• 73 possessions with Core Four | +28.8 differential
• 130.1 points scored per 100 possessions | 101.4 points allowed per 100 possessions

Hunter’s name is the one you expect to hear a lot in the playoffs. He has provided everything that was expected of him when Cleveland traded for him, and more. With the best on-off point differential of the group, his stock as the final starter may be the highest.

Hunter provides three-level scoring plus the ability to match up against bigger and smaller players. This skill fits right in since the Cavs like to switch on ball screens.

While he may not provide the same playmaking as Strus, Hunter gives the Cavs self-created buckets, which is rare amongst fifth-best starters. His high release point makes it difficult to contest his shots even if the defender is with him.

It’s hard to ignore the gaudy numbers with Hunter’s minutes. Small sample sizes can never be ignored, but it’s still impressive to see that type of production.

SAM MERRILL

• 7.1 PPG/2.2 RPG/1.5 APG – 58.7 TS%/36.7 3PT%
• 55 possessions with Core Four | +0.1 differential
• 101.8 points scored per 100 possessions | 101.8 points allowed per 100 possessions

In very limited time together, Merrill plus Core Four lineups have been a better defensive unit than one might think. At 6-foot-4, Merrill puts the Cavs at risk of being severely undersized on the perimeter.

He competes, though. Merrill gets in front of his assignments and isn’t afraid to throw his body into the paint for a rebound.

Merrill has the quickest jump shot in Cleveland— it pressures the defense in a way that can benefit others. When coming off a flare or pin-down screen, the defense must to step up.

WHO SHOULD START?

Part of the beauty of this version of the Cavaliers is their depth.

Their final starter may end up being matchup-dependent. If history suggests anyone, it would be Max Strus. Production statistics, meanwhile, would suggest De’Andre Hunter is the correct pick. If the defense starts lacking, Dean Wade or Isaac Okoro could be the best option.

However, in the end, only one thing matters.

This team has championship aspirations. To reach those lofty goals, they’ll most likely have to battle the defending champion Boston Celtics.

In a matchup against the Celtics, De’Andre Hunter makes the most sense. With Hunter on the floor, they provide a reasonable matchup for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown defensively, while keeping their offensive firepower.

Hunter’s activity on both ends has helped the team maintain the No. 1 seed in the East. In the playoffs, that could be the difference between playing for a championship or watching one.