Cleveland Cavaliers 2016-17 NBA Training Camp Roster Rankings

Training camp has kicked off for the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who have just a few short weeks before they raise the franchise's first banner.

For Cleveland, the hunters now become the hunted. Even with certain superstars joining forces out West, the Cavaliers must be viewed as the team to beat and have rallied around their "defend the iron throne" mantra.

The Cavs have 19 players in camp after the sudden retirement of Mo Williams, per general manager David Griffin's press conference on media day. Shooting guard J.R. Smith also remains absent from the team while both sides continue to work out a new deal.

With the departures of Matthew Dellavedova (free agency), Timofey Mozgov (free agency) and Sasha Kaun (retirement), combined with the additions of Mike Dunleavy (trade), Kay Felder (draft), Chris Andersen (free agency) and others, a fresh set of player rankings begin to take form. 

Nos. 19-15: Holmes, Holland, Moreland, Jefferson, Brown

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No. 19: Jonathan Holmes, F

2015-16 Stats Per Game: N/A

Yet to play an NBA game after going undrafted in 2015, Holmes is a 6'9" power forward who averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in four seasons at the University of Texas. After signing with the Los Angeles Lakers for training camp last year, Holmes dislocated his right shoulder and was waived before the start of the regular season.

No. 18: John Holland, G/F

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 16.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals (Canton Charge)

Holland averaged 17.1 points and 5.6 rebounds while at Boston University from 2007 to 2011. Now 27, he's registered just one minute of NBA action, a brief appearance with the Boston Celtics in last year's playoffs.

No. 17: Eric Moreland, F/C

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 1.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 6.0 minutes

Even though he likely won't make the final roster, Moreland may be the best rim protector in Cleveland right now. The 6'10" big man previously led the Pac-12 in blocked shots while at Oregon State and averaged 3.0 rejections per 36 minutes during limited time with the Sacramento Kings last season.

No. 16: Cory Jefferson, PF

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.1 blocks, 6.3 minutes 

The final pick of the 2014 draft, Jefferson has spent the past two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, respectively. He started five of the Cavs' seven summer league games, averaging 5.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 13 minutes. At best, he could still develop into a stretch 4 and fifth big man in the rotation, although his inexperience and slow growth point to some extended NBA Development League time.

No. 15: Markel Brown, SG

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 15.8 minutes

Brown carries the most big league experience of the group, appearing in 109 games for the Brooklyn Nets over the past two seasons. He was arguably one of the Nets' best perimeter defenders, but his offensive game thus far (38.2 percent shooting from the field, 29.7 percent from deep) leaves much to be desired.

Nos. 14-11: Liggins, Jones, Jones, Andersen

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No. 14: DeAndre Liggins, G/F

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.0 steals (Sioux Falls Skyforce)

A former University of Kentucky star best known for his defense, Liggins has improved his overall game between the NBA and D-League the past five years. Now 28, Liggins was named D-League Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and 2016. Perimeter defenders are at a premium in today's three-point-heavy NBA.

Liggins has a real chance to make the Cavs, with or without J.R. Smith.

No. 13: Dahntay Jones, F

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks (1 game)

A Finals Game 6 hero for Cleveland, Jones was initially waived this summer before inking a new non-guaranteed deal. He was the only player without a permanent contract invited to join the team for voluntary minicamp in California earlier this month. At 6'6", Jones can still defend the wing and has appeared to fit in nicely among the team's veterans.

No. 12: James Jones, F

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 3.7 points, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 assists, 39.4 3P%

The unofficial Godfather of the Cavaliers, Jones is the ultimate extension of the coaching staff in player form. Knocking down 45.5 percent of his corner three-pointers last year, per Basketball-Reference.com, Jones can still fill it up from deep. Playing time will be tough to come by, however, with Mike Dunleavy, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye eating up most of the reserve forward minutes this season.

No. 11: Chris Andersen, C

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 3.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 52.8 FG%

Another former teammate of LeBron James' with the Miami Heat, Andersen brings insurance to the center position with the loss of Timofey Mozgov to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Birdman, we know who he is," head coach Tyronn Lue said at media day. "He's an ultimate competitor, athletic around the basket, brings a toughness to our team."

The intimidation factor is certainly there, but Andersen is now 38, the oldest member of the Cavaliers and just a year younger than his own head coach. Look for Cleveland to use him in spurts, but he may have trouble cracking the regular rotation.

Nos. 10-6: McRae, Felder, Dunleavy, Jefferson, Frye

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No. 10: Jordan McRae, G

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 4.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 44.2 FG%

McRae tore up the Las Vegas Summer League this past July, averaging a team-high 24.3 points in 30.7 minutes. He can play three positions and may be relied upon to handle the ball at times this season with no proven backup behind Kyrie Irving.

"He's put on nine or 10 pounds just being in the gym every day and working with our strength and conditioning coach," Irving said of McRae. "He's just been dedicating himself not only to the weight room but the gym. He proved it in summer league."

No. 9: Kay Felder, PG

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 24.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 2.0 steals (Oakland University)

Felder spent part of his summer working out with Mo Williams in Dallas and now must step into his former teammate's shoes. With Williams retiring and Dellavedova gone to the Milwaukee Bucks, Felder becomes Irving's primary backup at point guard.

"Definitely different than an Oakland practice," Felder said after his first run with the Cavs, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. "It was more fundamentals, drills, more learning. Things like that. But all in all, it was fun. I had fun."

No. 8: Mike Dunleavy, SF

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 39.4 3P%

The Cavs swiped Dunleavy, another veteran shooter for the perimeter, from the Chicago Bulls via trade exception this summer.

"It was a scramble there for a while, trying with my agent to find a team," Dunleavy told Bleacher Report. "I knew Chicago was looking to move my salary. At the time there were lots of teams with cap space. I’m very happy we worked this out with Cleveland. It was like Christmas in July."

No. 7: Richard Jefferson, F

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 38.2 3P%

After about a 32.7-second retirement following Game 7, the 36-year-old Jefferson signed a two-year deal to stay in Cleveland.

As one of the most enjoyable Cavs to be around, Jefferson (along with Channing Frye) is the master of flipping a switch between being a serious professional and a funny teammate. Able to play either forward position, Jefferson will once again fill much-needed minutes in order to rest LeBron James.

No. 6: Channing Frye, PF/C

2015-16 Stats Per Game: 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 37.7 3P%

Frye had some hot and cold streaks after his trade to Cleveland and was basically unused during the Finals, but he remains an excellent fit with the roster. Cleveland can use both Frye and Kevin Love as the small-ball centers, creating spacing that will be nearly impossible to guard.

Even if he's not hitting shots, using Frye as an outside threat opens driving lanes and pays dividends for other players. The Cavaliers were 10.5 points per 100 possessions better with him in the game last postseason.

No. 5: Iman Shumpert, SG

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2015-16 Stats Per Game: 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals

By all accounts, Shumpert had a rough 2015-16 season.

Following a four-year, $40 million contract signing last summer, Shumpert broke his wrist before training camp and missed the first 21 games. Even after his return, his offense suffered (37.4 percent shooting from the field, 29.5 percent from deep) while J.R. Smith looked like the better wing defender as well.

Now Shumpert is ready to go from the start after trimming his physique in the summer.

"I'm healthy," Shumpert told Bleacher Report. "I'm down 12 pounds from my playing weight last year. I'm healthy going into the season and I feel good about it."

So long as Smith remains a free agent, Shumpert will be the Cavaliers' starting shooting guard.

Even with Swish's eventual return, Shump will be one of the bench's most important pieces. Cleveland doesn't need 10-plus points from him but rather a return to elite perimeter defense and the ability to knock down open shots. Still just 26, Shumpert has set himself up for a bounce-back year.

No. 4: Tristan Thompson, C

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2015-16 Stats Per Game: 7.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, 58.8 FG%

Thompson is the backbone of the Cavaliers and finally a staple in their starting lineup.

After batting Anderson Varejao two seasons ago and Timofey Mozgov last year for the first center honor, Thompson now stands alone at the position.

When asked if knowing he had a clear role heading into a season gave him a sense of comfort, Thompson scowled before telling Bleacher Report: "No. I don't like to be comfortable."

The 25-year-old is the perfect center for this modern brand of NBA. While not a shot-blocker, he's athletic enough to challenge opponents at the rim. Thompson also excels in pick-and-roll coverage, displaying the footwork of a guard when switching and covering players on the wing.

Under contract for the next four years and with a well-deserved full-time starting role, Thompson can continue to blossom.

No. 3: Kevin Love, PF

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2015-16 Stats Per Game: 16.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 36.0 3P%

Last summer, Love couldn't lift a dumbbell above his head. This past offseason, his workouts changed from recovery and rehab to actual basketball.

"I'm way ahead of the game," Love said. "Even being out there last week, brushing up against the guys, it was just a lot different getting off on definitely the right foot as far as training went this offseason and actually being able to train my upper body. In the offseason, it was huge for me. That's something that I spent a lot of time in Park City, Utah, just working on my body."

Following an NBA Finals where he struggled with his shot and had to recover from a concussion, Love found other ways to make an impact with his rebounding and defense.

This is key for Love heading into Year 3 in Cleveland: He needs to stay aggressive in all facets, whether that means scoring 30 points or three. Too often we've seen him set the motor on cruise control and go through the motions on both ends, missing out on offensive and rebounding opportunities.

The chemistry between Love and his teammates appears to be there. Now that he's completely healthy heading into the season, look for his efficiency to spike.

No. 2: Kyrie Irving, PG

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2015-16 Stats Per Game: 19.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals

The Year of Kyrie continues.

During 2016 alone, Irving has become a father, hit the game-winning shot to capture an NBA Finals and has taken home an Olympic gold medal for Team USA.

"2016 was pretty good. 2017 just brings higher expectations," Irving told Bleacher Report. "I had to reprioritize and kind of take a step back and see the places I can get better and take it from there. It was a long year, man."

Irving was outstanding in the postseason, averaging 25.2 points and 4.7 assists on 47.5 percent shooting from the field and 44.0 percent from three. This year we could see a Stephen Curry-like career jump, one where Irving finally puts together a healthy, ultra-productive regular season.

With LeBron James turning 32 in December, it's up to Irving and Love to shoulder more scoring responsibilities. With no Mo Williams or Matthew Dellavedova, it's likely we'll see an uptick in playing time for Irving this season as well.

There may never be a year as fantastic as 2016 was for Irving, but 2017 doesn't have to be too far behind.

No. 1: LeBron James, F

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2015-16 Stats Per Game: 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.4 steals

Will anyone else top this list while James is still rocking the wine and gold?

Offensively, defensively, intellectually and as a leader, James remains the lifeblood of the Cavaliers organization. Keeping him in peak shape now becomes priority No. 1.

"[My coaches] also know I've put a lot of miles on my body over the last six years from going to the Finals every single year, so, health and longevity for our team is very important," James said, per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin.

"My thing is just making sure guys are healthy, continue to limit LeBron's minutes, and he was at an all-time low last year," Lue said.

James logged 35.6 ticks of court time this past season and would be wise to stay at or under that mark. Full, healthy seasons of Irving and Love will definitely help, as will another weak Eastern Conference field that's unable to legitimately challenge the defending champions Cavs.

Entering year No. 14, James remains the Cavaliers' (and NBA's) best overall player.

Greg Swartz is the Cleveland Cavaliers Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @CavsGregBR. Stats via Basketball-Reference.com. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.