Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster breakdown: Assessing each player and their role

The Cavaliers are looking forward to the 2022-23 season. Last season, they were the NBA's greatest surprise, but they didn't make the playoffs. This year, the team has a new coach and new players. Las Vegas oddsmakers increased their projected win total by more than 20 games from last season to win more games. The team hasn't been to playoffs for a few years. LeBron James left the franchise in 2018. It's now in ruins. For the first time since LeBron left, there is hope around the Cavaliers. They are ranked as the sixth-best East team behind Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Miami.

Darius Garland was the Cavaliers' most important player last season. He was asked to do everything and the Cavs were worse with him off the court. Mitchell came from Utah to give Garland a boost. He hopes Mitchell and added backcourt depth will keep the team from running Garland into the ground.

Donovan Mitchell is a new shooting guard for the Cavs. He will play off the ball and be a facilitator. Mitchell has talked about showing his defensive chops. The thought is that having less offensive responsibility and better teammates will allow him to expend more energy on the defensive end.

LeVert won the starting small forward job from Isaac Okoro. He started at the 3 in the first two exhibitions. LeVert provides the kind of offensive punch the other candidates don't. Cleveland ranked just 20th in efficiency last season. The team is about making things easier on offense this season, so it's important to have a balanced team.

Mobley is the most naturally gifted player on the team. He is expected to play at the 4 and 5 position this season. Bickerstaff believes Mobley can be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate this coming season and play more as an offensive hub. The Cavs are planning to unleash Mobly and tap into his shot-making and pass-gathering skills.

Allen validated his five-year, $100 million contract and joined Garland on the All-Star team. Allen is the savvy pick-and-roll partner, rim runner and lob threat on offense. His biggest duty is helping Cleveland maintain a top five defense despite some personnel changes.

Kevin Love played well last season coming off the bench. He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His contract is expiring. He has more value as an on-court contributor than a trade chip.

Isaac Okoro came off the bench for Team USA's under-17 gold medal team in 2018. Okro is the fifth-overall pick in the 2020 draft. He has a good defensive game but a better outside shot would change the conversation.

Cedi Osman had a good season playing with Rubio last year. He is looking to build on that. If LeVert is the starter and Okoro is primary backup, Osmen's playing time could fluctuate. If he makes shots at a higher clip and can contribute something on defense, he might be used to spark the bench.

Dean Wade had a chance to be the starting small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but LeVert and Okoro were better. Wade suffered a sprained ankle in the third preseason game. He will play some role for Bickerstaff.

Rubio was injured during the season and was traded to Indiana at the trade deadline. He signed a new multi-year deal this summer. Rubio is expected to be back in January or February. The Cavs know that players perform better after a second ACL tear.

Raul Neto was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers as a backup point guard. Bickerstaff plans to stagger the minutes between Garland and Mitchell. Some of the backup guard minutes are earmarked for Mitchell, so Netos' role is unclear.

Robin Lopez is a veteran mentor and matchup-based backup for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lopez will play 20 minutes per night. He will not replace Mobley as the full-time backup 5.

Lamar Stevens is a tough, hard-nosed defender whose only offense comes when he's attacking the basket. Stevens has worked hard on his 3-pointer.

Dylan Windler is a small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had a productive summer and entered camp in a good place. The day before the preseason opener in Philadelphia, he injured his teammate.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James hasn't practiced in more than two weeks. James didn't make the trip to Toronto for the opener.

Cleveland drafted Evan Mobley's brother Isaiah with the No. 49 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Isaiah is on a two-way contract and will spend most of his time with G League affiliate Charge.

Mamadi Diakite was waived on Saturday evening. He was one of four camp invites. R.J. Nembhard was released from his two-way contract. The 25-year-old forward has bounced between the G League and NBA.