Shooting Guard
Starter: Iman Shumpert
Reserves: J.R. Smith, Mike Miller, Joe Harris
Odd Man Out: Sir’Dominic Pointer
Shumpert will remain the starter at shooting guard after becoming the starter during the Cavaliers’ postseason run.
The 25-year-old guard began his career in Cleveland coming off the bench as a defensive stopper, but blossomed into a starting piece when injuries wrecked the Cavaliers in the playoffs. While he struggled offensively in averaging 9.1 points on 36 percent shooting, he represented a form of stability when the team was consistently shuffling players in and out of the starting lineup en route to the Finals.
The bench is where things start to get tricky. J.R. Smith opted out of his contract for the 2015-16 season, but the Cavaliers remain intent on re-signing him. Smith has received a couple of offers from other teams, but they’re non-contending squads. Smith will likely take a one-year deal with Cleveland worth around $3 million.
Miller returns and he’s not going anywhere unless Cleveland finds a willing trade suitor to take on his expiring contract. That won’t happen entering the season, but it could happen in the middle of the 2015-16 season. He provides very little production at this stage of his career, contributing just 2.1 points on just 32.5 percent shooting from the field last season.
*Update 7/26: Miller traded to Portland Trail Blazers along with Brendan Haywood
Joe Harris will remain on the roster, even though Cleveland would probably prefer if he didn’t. He has a guaranteed contract worth $845,000, and is coming off a disappointing summer league. It would come as no shock if Harris is traded at some point during the season, or just flat-out released.
With Cleveland shopping Brendan Haywood before August 1st to create a large trade exception for next season, they could very well just enter the year with 14 players on their active roster.
Sir’Dominic Pointer remains a project and will likely be sent down to the D-League for seasoning.
Next: Small Forward
