Cavs Can’t Be Discounted
Ellis (35.7%) hasn’t been dialed-in from 3 this season.
Yet, Cleveland has Donovan Mitchell (38.2%), who is etched into the starting lineup as the off-guard. Jaylon Tyson (45.5%), who has quickly become quite popular in Ohio, is capable of playing either wing spot. Of note, he and catch-and-shoot specialist Sam Merrill (45.5%) have the best 3-point percentage on the team.
However, Dean Wade (31.8%) and De’Andre Hunter (30.6%) are having a rough go of it from beyond the arc. Though they’re more forwards than wings, replacing one of them in the rotation could boost their efficiency. Additionally, motion shooter Max Strus has yet to play at all this season thanks to a foot injury.
The icing on top of the cake, so to speak? Darius Garland is frequently unavailable, leading to lineup shifts that make having Ellis more important. Mitchell or Craig Porter Jr. is likely to get the spot start at point guard when Garland is out. Nevertheless, there are still backcourt minutes that need to be filled. Porter, though an underrated asset, shouldn’t get all of Garland’s minutes.
