The Cleveland Cavaliers have already played three preseason games, and in all three they started the same ultra-young group of players: Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. That group’s average age is just 21 years old. Throw in Lauri Markkanen and their top-6 are all 24 years old or younger.
The Cavs are our first team to move up from last week, and that’s on account of rookie Evan Mobley looking so good defensively. He knows where to be, moves his feet well and his recovery speed and length make him a threat to block any shots, jumpers and rim shots alike. He lacks strength and will still make rookie mistakes, but he looks like the real deal already.
Breakout Player: Darius Garland. While Mobley’s breakout is in the future, Garland’s is waiting in the here-and-now to occur. After a slow start as a rookie, he took a huge step forward last season and seems poised to break out this season. The rest of the league seems to be expecting him to make the leap, and he should establish himself this year as a better player than Collin Sexton. This will be his backcourt by the end of the year.