Cleveland Cavaliers: Previewing Team's Rotation Next Year with Kyrie Irving

The purpose of this article will be to predict the Cavaliers rotation next year while assigning roles to players NBA 2K style.

With six power forwards currently on the roster, this was no easy task.

Will Kyrie Irving start?  Would Antawn Jamison be happy as a third-sting forward?  With a healthy Anderson Varejao, will Ryan Hollins ever see the floor again?

Right now, the roster is still anything but finalized, so here's my best guess as to what the 2011-2012 Cavaliers rotation will look like.

Center

Starter: Anderson Varejao

Andy is best suited for a back-up center/power forward, but he's the Cavs best option at the position for now.  Varejao was actually playing pretty well before going down with injury, averaging 9.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.  I have concerns that with his playing style and younger days behind him, last year's injury may not be the last one we see from him however.  I hope I'm wrong.

Minutes Per Game: 30

Prospect: Semih Erden

We didn't see a lot of Erden after the trade from the Celtics last year, so it's unclear how much he can contribute.  So far, Erden has shown a nice touch around the hoop and can rebound, although his defense appears pretty soft.  A pairing with a defensive-minded Tristan Thompson would be an interesting combo to put on the floor together...

Minutes Per Game: 15

Power Forward

Starter: J.J. Hickson

Hickson was the starter at both power forward and center at times last season, but with Varejao back, should see most of his time at the four where he belongs.  I would have loved to see his reaction on draft night when the Cavs took Tristan Thompson, someone who possess a nearly identical skill set to J.J.'s.  2011-2012 marks the last year Hickson is under contract with the Cavs.  Question is, will he even make it through the whole year with them?

Minutes Per Game: 30

Role Player: Antawn Jamison

Jamison and his expiring deal will be dealt by the trade deadline, so the Cavs are stuck with the task of keeping his minutes and production high to get more from the trade while still finding minutes for rookie Thompson.  Jamison is a perfect mentor for the young players he shares a position with, and like a good set of training wheels, will stick around until they're ready to ride by themselves.

Minutes Per Game: 25

Prospect: Tristan Thompson

Thompson's plan with the Cavs is unclear at this point.  He could start out the season as a third-stringer and wind up as the starter by season's end.  He still has many aspects of his game to work on, particularly jump shooting and free throws, before he's ready to get big minutes in the NBA.

Minutes Per Game:  15

Small Forward

Starter:  Alonzo Gee

Let me start off by saying, gee-z I hope they upgrade this position.  Alonzo didn't do terrible when given the starting job last season, averaging around 10 points and four rebounds a game, but he's better suited in a bench role.  For now, Gee's the starter until Harrison Barnes is drafted next year.  Here's hoping, anyway.

Minutes: 20

Prospect: Christian Eyenga

Eyenga is "The Most Interesting Man on the Cavs."  It will be fun to see how much he's grown and matured as a basketball player going into his second pro season.  His perimeter defense is going to be what keeps him in the NBA; any offense at this point is strictly icing on the cake.  He could see spot starts depending on if Cleveland needs him to guard an opponent's starting shooting guard or small forward.

Minutes: 15

Shooting Guard

Starter: Daniel Gibson

Anthony Parker held this spot for the past few years, but it's unclear whether Cleveland will bring him back or not with a lack of roster space.  I couldn't in all good consciousness give it to Manny Harris or Christian Eyenga, so Boobie's the best candidate.  Even as a starter, I wouldn't expect him to see big minutes, as the trio of talented point guards should take up most of the minutes in the Cavs backcourt.

Minutes: 20

Role Player: Manny Harris

It's unclear what Harris's future with Cleveland will be.  He was brought in last year to shoot, something he did a pretty poor job of at .374 percent from the field.  I say give his spot to David Lighty, who is not only a better defender but also a Buckeye instead of a Wolverine.

Minutes: 10

Point Guard

Starter: Baron Davis

Davis should begin the year as the Cavs starting point guard, but don't be surprised if Irving takes over by the All-Star break.  Davis and Irving could be be on the court together at the end of games as well, with Davis shifting over to shooting guard.

Minutes Per Game: 25

Sixth Man: Kyrie Irving

Irving should see the most minutes of any bench player, and those minutes should increase as the season goes along.  With Davis, Irving won't be thrown right into the fire and will have plenty of time to adjust to Scott's offense.

Minutes Per Game: 25

Role Player: Ramon Sessions

Sessions could be on the trade block, as he showed last season he's capable of being a starter in the NBA.  A trade would probably be good for both parties, as Sessions' minutes are set to drop significantly.  It's a shame too, because he's a really good young player.

Minutes Per Game: 10

Recap

Starters:

Baron Davis-PG

Daniel Gibson-SG

Alonzo Gee-SF

J.J. Hickson-PF

Anderson Varejao-C

Sixth Man:

Kyrie Irving-PG

Role Players:

Antawn Jamison-PF

Ramon Sessions-PG

Manny Harris-SG

Prospects:

Tristan Thompson-PF

Christian Eyenga-SF

Semih Erden-C

Not Dressed:

Ryan Hollins-C

Samardo Samuels-PF

Luke Harangody-PF

Author's Note: This article is done based on the assumption Joey Graham has been, or at least should be, released.