The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to retain their spot as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference next season. With a loaded roster featuring stars like Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers almost have all the necessary pieces to make a legitimate title push next year.
While the title picture seems realistic, the Cavaliers are expected to face some challenges in the immediate context.
Cavs’ star guard Darius Garland sustained a toe injury earlier this year. Following the loss to the Indiana Pacers in the postseason, Garland underwent surgery in June, effectively sidelining him for four to five months, according to initial reports.
At the current juncture, Garland is expected to participate in training camp in a limited capacity, but is likely to miss at least the first month of the regular season.
Given how integral he is to the team’s functioning, Cleveland has seemed active in finding a suitable replacement for its starting lineup. However, one possible scenario the Cavs could consider would be giving the starting spot to former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball.
Cleveland acquired Ball by trading Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls. When considering the role Okoro played for the team, it was evident that the Cavs had enough pieces on the roster to make up for his departure. However, having a player like Ball could be a significant upgrade in the point guard rotation.
Ball has been viewed as the quintessential floor general. Boasting tremendous court vision, intelligence, and passing skill, the 27-year-old has proven himself capable of running an offense, especially in transition settings.
Last season, Ball returned from an injury that had kept him sidelined for over two seasons. In 35 appearances for the Bulls, the guard averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 36.6% from the field in 22.2 minutes.
It was evident that the former lottery pick was still finding his feet after making his return to the floor. After a rocky start, his best game came against the Denver Nuggets in January this year, as he recorded 18 points and four rebounds on 60% shooting from the field and 57.1% from three.
After two games at home in late February, Ball was shut down for the rest of the season due to a right wrist injury. However, his left knee showed no issues, which could be viewed positively.
Although Ball is more than likely to come off the bench, there is enough evidence to suggest that he could fill in for Garland in the Cavs’ starting lineup.
After being traded to the Bulls, the guard played a key role in Chicago’s high-octane offense. With stunning outlet passes and transition plays, Ball transformed the Bulls into one of the most effective offensive teams in the league.
During his time as a starter for Chicago in the 2021-22 season, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 42.3% overall. Considering his improved efficiency from the three-point line and incredible defensive presence, he was regarded as one of the best two-way guards in the game.
Given his skill set and experience, Ball could be considered a solid replacement for Garland. When factoring in how thin Cleveland’s point guard depth is, they may have no other option but to insert Ball into the starting lineup.
This, however, could also be a double-edged sword. While there is a likelihood for Ball to be a solid floor general in Garland’s absence, the increased workload could re-aggravate his injuries. This could be a risk that the Cavaliers would need to take into careful consideration before making a decision.
