CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs’ frontcourt was supposed to be their deepest in years. On paper, a rotation featuring Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr., Thomas Bryant, and two-way Nae’Qwan Tomlin looked formidable.
But seventeen games into the season, Kenny Atkinson is still searching for answers in the paint.
With Jarrett Allen sidelined due to a finger injury, the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast delved into the ongoing frontcourt questions that could become crucial as the season progresses.
“It’s still a little bit shaky when it comes to Nance,” cleveland.com Cavs reporter Chris Fedor explained on the podcast. “I think Kenny’s still trying to learn those things about Larry and I think Larry is still trying to figure out where does he fit with this team. And to use a Kenny Atkinson phrase, it just has not been smooth sailing.
“There was a stretch there that the Cavs were using him as the five and Indiana had bigger, bulkier Tony Bradley out there. And then Kenny quickly called on Evan Mobley to shift Larry to the four.”
The situation is reminiscent of last season’s adjustment period with De’Andre Hunter, where Atkinson spent months figuring out the optimal way to use his new acquisition. Now, the coach faces similar questions with Nance: Is he a four or a five? Is he becoming a rotation staple, or is he still just emergency cover when Allen or Mobley need rest?
Tomlin, who has been a bright spot at times this season, also struggled against Indiana — highlighting another challenge for young players trying to establish themselves.
“The more the opponent knows about you, the more they can exploit your weaknesses and they can take away things that you want to do that make you successful,” Fedor said. “I think more teams are more aware of Nae’Qwan ... That’s always a challenge for a young player that once the team that you’re playing against starts making adjustments to you, can you then make the proper adjustments?”
The frontcourt questions become even more pressing with upcoming matchups.
As podcast host Ethan Sands pointed out: “The Cavs play the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and they have imposing bigs when it comes to Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez coming off the bench, John Collins available ... I think it’s going to be very interesting to see how the Cavs deploy their frontcourt and how Evan Mobley plays.”
These matchups will test not only Mobley’s ability to handle physical opponents but also Atkinson’s rotation decisions.
Will Thomas Bryant get more run against bigger lineups? Can Nance find his rhythm in a defined role? Or will the Cavaliers continue mixing and matching based on nightly matchups?
This frontcourt flexibility could ultimately become a strength for Cleveland, allowing Atkinson to deploy different looks depending on the opponent. But for now, it remains an unsolved puzzle — one that will require time, patience, and experimentation to get right.
“This frontcourt depth is still questioned because this is supposed to be the deepest frontcourt bench that the Cavs have had in years,” Sands concluded on the podcast.
For Cavaliers fans wondering how this frontcourt rotation will eventually shake out and what it means for the team’s ceiling, the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast offers essential insights into one of the most intriguing storylines of Cleveland’s season. Don’t miss their full breakdown of the big man situation as the Cavs continue to search for their optimal rotation.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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