Cleveland Cavaliers: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Storyline 1: A shift in the starting lineup

The Cleveland Cavaliers quite a few new players on their roster for the 2017-18 season. The Irving trade could be a blessing in disguise as it gives them added depth and another forward in Jae Crowder to take some of the defensive burden completely off of LeBron James.

The addition of Dwayne Wade gives the Cavaliers another sure ball-handler in the starting rotation as well. At 36 years of age, Wade seems to still have some championship run in his legs after spending the 2016-17 season with the Chicago Bulls.

The additions of Crowder and Wade seem to have inevitably shaken up the starting rotation. The Cavaliers plan on moving Kevin Love to the 5-spot, creating more of a four-out, one-in scenario which could favor Love in the long run. Lest we forget his days with the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game back in 2013-14.

The potential starters currently are Rose (with I.T. out until January), Wade, Crowder, James and Love. The jury may be out on Rose and Wade in terms of their defense, but in an offensively driven league, it’s hard not to worry about their potential to jell and thrive.

They wouldn’t be their best 3-point shooting lineup as Rose shoots a career 29.8 percent from 3-point range and Wade shoots 31.0 percent from 3, but it wouldn’t be a good idea to leave them wide open either.