The Cleveland Cavaliers certainly have a new look about them these days. Now that nearly the entire roster is fully healthy, fans are getting to see what kind of rotation they can expect once the playoffs begin. Based on a recent report, the Cavs could be even harder to recognize once the playoffs actually begin, as two longtime members of the team may be out of the postseason rotation all together.
According to Jason Lloyd of The Atheltic, both J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson could be on the outside looking in once NBA playoffs begin on April 14.
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It’s something of a surprise to see Smith’s name on this list. He has averaged 7.7 points in 25.3 minutes per game so far this month, including a 15-point performance earlier this week against the Dallas Mavericks. As for Thompson, his exclusion from the playoff rotation would be far less surprising. In the first three games of April, Thompson has been averaging just 1.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.
This report is just another sign that things have most definitely changed in Cleveland compared to previous seasons. Luckily, the Cavs have managed to find a familiar level of success on the court as of late, winning 10 of their last 11 games.
With the playoffs just around the corner, it’s clear that Cleveland is getting ready for another deep postseason run. With this report, it seems Smith and Thompson may be watching that run from the bench.
