It’s Time for Cavs’ Coach John Beilein to Play Mad Scientist

Without an eye on the playoffs, John Beilein’s focus should be on the future. That means trying different lineup combinations and making productive use of the Cavs’ last 29 games.

This isn’t exactly a newsflash, but the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t going anywhere this season. On the heels of Sunday night’s 41 point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, there isn’t a rational reason for continuing to run the same lineups out on the floor.

Call it an in-season training camp or a jump-start on next year’s training camp, but the time is right to tweak the starting five and try different player combinations. John Beilein simply must go back to the drawing board where the rotation is concerned.

More specifically, we’re of the strong belief that Collin Sexton should be moved to a 6th man role, allowing Darius Garland to become the only ball-handler on the first unit while inserting Kevin Porter Jr. into the starting lineup alongside him at the other guard spot.

Yes, Collin Sexton continues to develop and yes he can consistently put up points, but he’s doing so at the expense of the other four starters on the floor with him. The magnetic force field is keeping the ball in his hands way too often, causing the rest of the team to stagnate offensively.

In a traditional 6th man role, Sexton could come in and emulate the Clippers’ Lou Williams, while the likes of Larry Nance Jr. and Tristan Thompson take on supporting roles. From there, the Cavs’ lack of depth becomes glaring, but at least the bench would be able to put up points with Sexton leading the way.

The Cavs’ roster as it’s currently constructed is flawed, that’s no secret. There’s painfully little depth, but that doesn’t preclude Beilein from at least trying different player combinations down the homestretch. If something clicks, great, if it doesn’t, at least he took advantage of playing meaningless games and tried.

Finding a gift-wrapped Andre Drummond on the Cavs’ doorstep at the trading deadline is huge, as he’s still just 26 years old and is another potential piece of the puzzle going forward. Now the burden’s on John Beilein, even more so than before Drummond’s arrival, to mix and match his pieces with an eye towards the future.