Who is the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into 2022-2023?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have more than one option for “the guy” of the 2022-2023 season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a problem that they need to figure out and frankly, it’s the best problem a team can have. Who is the face of the franchise? Last night Cavaliers star Darius Garland was with newly acquired Donovan Mitchell at the Cleveland Browns game. Garland and Mitchell are arguably the faces of the franchise, especially since they represented the Cavs during a major broadcast that is Thursday Night Football.

They’re also All-Star guards that have proven themselves over the last few years, proving to many fans that they’re capable of being the guy on a playoff team. Yet, they’re not the only ones the team can point to when looking at potential names who can be the face of the team.

For as good as Garland and Mitchell are, second-year forward Evan Mobley is seen as the face of the franchise going forward, and that the future of the squad’s success rests on his shoulders. People have compared him to Tim Duncan and its praise I don’t think is unearned. He’s more likely to be the first Evan Mobley than the next Tim Duncan, but for so many NBA experts to see such similarities is a sign that Mobley is that good.

Yet, if you’re looking for a guy who is the best at something in the NBA, guys like Mobley, Garland, and Mitchell are up there in many categories but for Jarrett Allen, he is already there. Few players, Mobley included, are as good as Allen is on defense and it’s very possible that he’s the new front runner to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. The team looked lost at times without Allen to stabilize things.

So with an embarrassment of riches, who’s really the face of the franchise?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have several names who could be the face of the season.

It’s hard to really say that it’s any of these four men. In fact, you can even say Kevin Love should still be in the conversation, as he’ll likely have his number retired and be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. That makes his presence on the team important, much like Reggie Miller in 2005. Far from the best player, but was still the franchise guy on a team of rising stars.

That said, until Mobley takes the stage as an All-Star and MVP candidate as many expect him to be, the answer should be Garland. Mitchell has a right to the claim as well, but Garland is here long-term. Mitchell was traded here and it’s very possible in three years’ time that Mitchell goes to New York.

Garland, however, wants to be here. He wants to be the guy that carries the team to the playoffs and beyond. As long as he’s out-pacing Mobley, Garland will rightfully be able to call himself the face of the team.

However, the face has to be the best leader on top of being the key player. So if Garland wants the status, he has to prove to be the leader the team needs.