It’s true – as Tyronn Lue alluded on Saturday – that none of the Cavaliers regular starters will play in Monday night’s contest in Atlanta – Cleveland’s third preseason game of the fall, with meetings against the Raptors, Bulls and Wizards (next Tuesday in Columbus) scheduled before the Championship banner gets raised on October 25 at The Q.
At Monday morning’s shootaround at Philips Arena, Coach Lue revealed that the starting lineup will consist of Kay Felder, James Jones, Dahntay Jones, Jordan McRae and Cory Jefferson.
And while that doesn’t portend a drama-filled matchup on Monday night, these final games of the preseason will represent some dramatic, possibly life-altering moments for guys fighting for one of the coveted few remaining roster spots.
These spots – especially considering the Cavs’ need to solidify their backup point guard position – could prove to be crucial.
”We have three spots open, three spots available,” said Lue. “And for the young guys to have a chance to play and see how well they play to try and make this roster.”
With Kyrie still rehabbing from offseason surgery last fall, Jared Cunningham made the squad out of Camp and ate up some important minutes with Uncle Drew on the mend. Two years ago, an undrafted rookie named Matthew Dellavedova grinded his way through Training Camp – and parlayed that into a Championship with the Wine and Gold and a nice free agent deal with Milwaukee.
If the Cavaliers and J.R. Smith are able to reach a deal, the current Cavaliers will have 11 roster spots sewn up with accomplished veterans: LeBron James, Irving, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Smith, Mike Dunleavy, Iman Shumpert, James Jones, Chris Andersen, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye.
Jordan McRae – who signed a 10-day deal with Cleveland in late February and signed through the rest of the season -- has been Cleveland’s top scorer through the first two preseason games, notching 20 points apiece on a combined 14-for-27 shooting. And even though Coach Lue conceded that McRae – a natural scorer – won’t be asked to learn the rigors of the point guard position, he’s still averaged 4.5 assists through two contests.
Kay Felder, who Cleveland acquired on Draft night this past June, has had the ups-and-downs expected of a rookie. He finished with 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting against Orlando in the preseason opener, but was just 1-for-6 from the floor in 21 minutes against Philly. The 5-9, 175-pounder did, however, finish with three assists – the dish to Markel Brown, who scored the game-winner with 18 seconds to play off a nice feed from Felder.
Cavs Training Camp squad.
With that in mind, the final roster spot(s) will come down to Brown, John Holland, Toney Douglas, Dahntay Jones, Jonathan Holmes, DeAndre Liggins and Cory Jefferson.
Brown, Douglas, Jefferson and Jones all have pretty solid NBA experience. Liggins and Holland have spent much of their time in the D-League, with Liggins being named Defensive Player of the Year twice. Holmes is an undrafted rookie out of Texas.
Through the first two preseason contests, Jefferson – who’ll get the starting nod in Atlanta – has made the biggest splash. The final pick of the 2014 Draft (San Antonio), Jefferson – who appeared in 50 games with Brooklyn two seasons ago – grabbed a game-high 11 boards against Orlando and finished with eight points, five boards, two steals and a block on Saturday.
Holmes, a forward who started 107 games with the Longhorns, notched 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting against the Magic, adding five points, three boards and a pair of blocks against Philadelphia.
”Jefferson’s athleticism I really like – being able to go above the rim and rebound the basketball,” praised Lue. “With Holmes, I told him after the first preseason game, I really loved his physicality and his heart. Going through preseason, the way we’re slowly trying to bring guys along, having a chance to see him play and being physical with Jeff Green and not backing down, really showed me a lot from him.”
Liggins – who’s knocked the Canton Charge out of the playoff on three separate occasions – looked relatively comfortable running the point against Orlando (but fantastic on the defensive end). He had a quiet night in 18 minutes off the bench against the Sixers.
Brown, Dahntay Jones, Douglas and Holland are also in the running for a backcourt spot on opening night.
Brown, who played in 62 games for Brooklyn last year, was 3-for-3 from the floor in Saturday’s win. Jones was solid in seven minutes against Orlando and didn’t play against Philly, but as a rock-solid veteran with considerable playoff experience, the coaching staff and squad knows exactly what the 14-year man brings.
“When you're put into our locker room, we're just a real close, tight group and if you're a good person, you're going to vibe with us and if not, you'll be exposed,” said LeBron on Saturday night. “We've never had to expose anybody because we have great guys around. Dahntay is another one of those guys who comes in with no sense of entitlement about himself. 'What do you guys need from me? I'm going to do it and I'll do it even beyond what I'm capable of doing sometimes, but I'm going to be there every day and I'm going to ride for you all.' It's easy to vibe with someone like that."
Douglas, who’s played for six teams over a seven-year career and is 1-of-6 from the floor through two preseason games, has yet to find his footing with the Wine and Gold. Holland has yet to see action with Cleveland.
Before Cleveland can begin its title defense in 2016-17, both the coaching staff and front office have some decisions to make. And over the next couple weeks, while the regular starters and rotation players tweak their game for the home opener, a different group of Cavaliers will be battling for their NBA existence.