Cavs’ starting lineup ranked among NBA’s best, but one question remains

The Cavaliers aren’t exactly lacking star power. What they may still be lacking is a clear answer at small forward.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report ranked Cleveland’s projected starting lineup seventh in the NBA, with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen making up the expected first five.

That assumes Harden returns, which remains the plan.

“Four of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ starting positions are locked in, assuming Harden returns on a new contract,” Swartz wrote. “Strus and Jaylon Tyson could battle for the fifth spot.”

Strus would appear to have the early advantage after coach Kenny Atkinson leaned heavily on him during last season’s playoff run. Tyson remains an option, particularly given his ability to defend and stretch the floor.

But the roster may not be finished.

Harden has yet to formally sign his new contract as the Cavs attempt to maintain enough financial flexibility to pursue another significant addition.

Cleveland has been among the teams exploring a sign-and-trade for Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson and also has interest in Jonathan Kuminga.

Either player could change the equation at small forward.

The rest of the starting group isn’t much of a mystery. Harden, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen give the Cavs four players with All-Star credentials and helped lead them to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

That run ended abruptly with a sweep at the hands of the Knicks, leaving Cleveland with the same basic question it carried into the offseason.

Is this core good enough to win the East?

The Cavs lost Dean Wade, Keon Ellis and Larry Nance Jr. this summer and added Mario Hezonja after LeBron James chose Philadelphia in free agency.

Landing Watson or Kuminga would represent something considerably bigger.

And if the Cavs can pull it off, that projected starting five could look different before anyone plays a game.