Cavs Mailbag: Who's Earned Right To Be In Rotation?

Welcome to Cavs Mailbag! In this daily mailbag, Spencer Davies will respond to fans’ curiosities surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the duration of the 2023-24 season. In order to submit yours, simply send your questions on X to @SpinDavies or via email at spindavies22@gmail.com.

The Cavs got back to it on Wednesday following their blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks in the last group-stage game of the NBA In-Season Tournament. Though they did not advance in the competition, Cleveland is 6-2 over its last eight games and finding a rhythm.

Thursday night, the wine-and-gold will welcome in the Portland Trail Blazers for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

Before then, let's get to those questions:

If you were coach, who has earned the right to be in your rotation? - @gemdata

I think the most obvious answer is Craig Porter Jr., whose recent playing time has dwindled due to the Cavs getting healthier. It's understood that some rookies get thrown into the fire early because of injuries — and that's what happen in this case — but there's a different type of maturity and understanding of the game from CPJ.

He spent five seasons in college and doesn't need as much developing as younger, less NBA experienced talent might. There is a calmness about Porter, almost veteran-like as Max Strus said last Friday. You don't find that easily in a first-year player.

Even I wouldn't know how to handle Ty Jerome's return when that time comes. I don't envy figuring all of that out. (And that goes without mentioning Ricky Rubio, who's been away from the team with mental health reasoning.)

I think that's the first answer that comes to mind because just about everybody else who's been actively in the mix on a consistent basis makes logical sense. There's been so much in-and-out that the Cavs haven't really had a chance to stick to something, or at least a blueprint of it.

Lately, we're seeing more of an idea regarding what it could look like. Although, Isaac Okoro is still on a minutes restriction, so his floor time will likely increase. If it were up to me, my rotation would be similar to J.B. Bickerstaff's. I like how he's staggered Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, as well as how he's used both of them together with Caris LeVert and Strus at the 4. Georges Niang can play with just about anybody too.

Having Tristan Thompson in your back pocket in case foul trouble happens or you need a bigger body to count on defensively, that's a luxury as well. He's there more for those type of minutes than an every-day type of responsibility. As for Dean Wade, I'd go to him in the same capacity as Thompson, just with bigger wings.

That playing-time balance has looked pretty solid, but allowing more guys to play and stretching out to nine or 10 would probably be my call. There's a reason depth was addressed in the offseason. I'd use it some more and get the starters' figures down to somewhere around 34-35 minutes rather than 38-40 just for longevity's sake.

Since Bates and Porter Jr. are on two-way contracts, does that mean both are free agents at season’s end? If so, are the Cavs likely to convert each to standard deals to avoid losing one or both? Is there risk either will refuse and become free agents? - @lsn92620

Porter will not be a free agent because of the specific two-way contract that he signed, which will keep him on that deal through next season. Emoni Bates and Isaiah Mobley will be restricted free agents at this year's end.

I would highly doubt that any young players the Cavs gave a chance to be a pro in the first place would refuse any contract offer that Cleveland would make. Player relationships with organizations in that regard are important. Also, if another team did make an offer to Mobley or Bates, the Cavs would have the opportunity to match it anyhow due to the restricted free-agent rule.

As for the likelihood of converting, I haven't gotten a real feeling on that quite yet because it's only the end of November. I'm sure we'll have a better idea of that as the season rolls along and the guys they want to get experience in the G League with the Cleveland Charge get a chance to show it.

So far, Bates and Mobley are crushing it with the Charge. Porter has yet to suit up for the team as originally planned, which may indicate his standing more than the other two guys on a two-way.

Donovan Mitchell looked more like himself and was great tonight! BUT, did we just witness Evan Mobley taking a leap and breakout tonight? WOW. - @TT02504540

Donovan Mitchell certainly was great. What was even better was the context in which he did it in. I wrote all about it in The Spin!

When it comes to Evan Mobley, I think those numbers are incredible against Atlanta. You can't fake 17 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks. I will say he registered some of those boards and rejections down the stretch against the Hawks' bench bunch.

However, before I get accused of being a downer, Mobley has been on a roll for a good couple of weeks now, and I hope people understand how universally talented he is as a player already. He's doing his job as a helper on the defensive end of the floor, plus rebounding and pushing to start fastbreaks.

The Cavs are utilizing him on the block and at the top of the key as a passing big man who's initiated actions as a hub. And when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, that's just about the best option you can look for in the dunker spot considering his leaping ability. That big-to-big action with Jarrett Allen is something else. Even that mid-range jump shot everybody cares about so much is seeing incremental improvements.

Mobley's been at it for a while. It helps if you know when you know your shots are coming and where you know they're coming from.