Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Rose fits perfectly into these 3 intriguing lineups

Here are a few ways the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff and can mix and match its arsenal in a way that maximizes the talent of Derrick Rose.

Derrick Rose is in a familiar position in an unfamiliar city. For the second straight season, the former MVP is on a new team, adjusting to a new offense and situation.

Last year, he struggled to learn the triangle before finding his niche, averaging more than 18 points per game. With the Cleveland Cavaliers, he’ll join a team that often poo-poos traditional schemes in favor of isolation offenses.

It’s a system that will fit Rose like a glove, perfect for an athletic guard who creates space. But there are lineups and combinations that Rose will be best utilized under coach Tyronn Lue. Here are a few intriguing combinations Rose could be a part of.

1. Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Kevin Love

What a talented, interesting and bizarre group of players. You have two former MVPs (Rose, James) and two former Finals MVPs (James, Wade) in the same lineup. Those same two players will make the Hall Of Fame, while Love and Rose were two of the top recruits in the 2007 high school draft class.

Rose and Love actually shared the floor in the McDonald’s High School All-American game, both starting for the West.

With so much current and former star power on the floor, it would be interesting to watch how this bunch jells. Would there be enough shots to go around? Who would be the primary ball-handler? And could this group match up defensively with even the most mediocre of offenses?

I could see this lineup working well with Rose at the point and James playing in the middle. James could run the pick-and-roll with Rose, leaving two talented finishers rushing the rim. While they play off each other, lethal outside shooters Thomas and Love could move to the corner, ready to fire in case their defender leaves to help on Rose or James.

And if those options fail, Dwayne Wade chills on the wing and acts as safety valve. There are a bevy of possibilities.

2. Derrick Rose, J.R. Smith, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, Kevin Love

If we see this lineup frequently in Cleveland, I’ll be surprised, but it might be the best fit for Rose’s skill-set. It’s littered with outside shooters and two players who could easily pair with Rose in the pick-and-roll.

Picturing this lineup, you should envision a well-spaced offense, the 3-point line patterned with long range deadeyes. Smith and Korver are positioned in the corner, with Love and Crowder at the foul line.

Rose could angle off a pick from Love, while the stretch big man bounces off the pick beyond the arc. If the center collapses, Rose kicks out Love for an open shot. If the center doesn’t show, Rose drives and assuming he can beat his defender, and passes out to the most open of Smith and Korver. Potentially, Crowder could pick for either of the two wings as the play unfolds.

Here is an example of what the lineup could look like, with Kristaps Porzinigis acting as Love.

In this clip, the offense spaces beyond the 3-point line. Porzingis gets in position to pick for Rose. In this instance, Rose dribbles away from the pick and finishes against the triple-team in the post. But he could have dribbled right into Porzingis, letting him either roll or pop out.

Rose is in his element in these situations. When he played for the Chicago Bulls, Rose struggled with Jimmy Butler on the floor because the two together were a spacing nightmare. With this lineup, Rose has room to operate and feed teammates.

3. Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas, LeBron James, Kyle Korver, Tristan Thompson

To me this is the most balanced of the offensive options involving Derrick Rose. It features three ball-dominant players, a designated sniper and bruiser in the paint. The lineup allows Rose and Thomas to alternate at the point depending on the situation. Need a quick three? Let Thomas be the main option. But if the objective is to get to the rim, have Rose handle the ball.

There’s also the dual screen potential with the possibility of Korver and Thomas both flaring off picks to 3-point line. And with both Korver and Thomas on the wings, this lineup spaces well, giving Rose and James the space to explode to the basket. It’s basically two of the league’s better finishers attacking the rim with a pair of premier shooters on the perimeter.

With its balance and versatility, this lineup could be a potent secondary option for the Cavs with Wade and Love on the bench. I imagine this bunch battling with a Golden State Warriors lineup consisting of Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant, David West and JaVale McGee, or something of the like.

Next: HoopsHabit 2017-18 NBA playoff field predictions

In that case, I like the Cavs’ chances because the talents of the players in this five-some are maximized. Their individual strengths blend perfectly. You’ll see this bunch became a valuable combination in the postseason.