The Cavaliers 2025-26: Elite Talent, Health Concerns, and the Importance of the 11th Man
They were the best team in the regular season and are now looking to improve in the playoffs by completing their rotation with Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter Jr., or Jaylon Tyson
The Cleveland Cavaliers start the 2025-26 season with the tag of a solid contender in the East. After a season that solidified their spot among the conference's top four teams, expectations are high. However, the summer brought moves that could disrupt the balance: Ty Jerome, a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year, departed for Memphis in free agency, leaving a void in the rotation.
It's no surprise, then, that rumors link the Cavs to Malik Beasley, a shooter who could provide scoring from the perimeter. Nevertheless, they have top-tier talent; the key will be to keep their key players healthy.
And here arises a major question. Darius Garland is already an All-Star point guard, but his injury history haunts him: in three out of his six seasons, he hasn't played over 60 games, and after undergoing surgery this summer, he is expected to miss the start of the season. The situation gets more complicated when looking at the bench: his backup, Lonzo Ball, raises even more doubts, having played just 70 games in the last four years. In a roster that seems solid in nearly all positions, the vulnerability at the point guard position is the true Achilles' heel.
Therefore, in Cleveland, there is increasing talk about the "number 11 man," that player who would typically be left out of the rotation but could be crucial if injuries hit the team's core. And there are three main candidates.
The Cavs' options to complete their rotation
The first is Tyrese Proctor, a rookie from Duke. His rookie status works against him, but his performances in the Summer League left a good impression, especially in terms of playmaking. He may not have Garland's vision or Ball's creativity yet, but he does possess the ability to score and make an impact in short stretches. If he shows control, tactical awareness, and composure in 10 or 15 minutes per night, he could earn a spot.
Next is Craig Porter Jr., a 25-year-old point guard with a different profile. He stands out for his perimeter defense and natural instinct to create plays, valuable assets in any rotation. However, his shyness with outside shooting is a problem. While his percentages are good, over 40% from three in his two years in the league, his lack of confidence renders him an underutilized asset. In an NBA that demands boldness from outside, his indecision places him in a delicate balance between a useful resource and a liability.
Finally, Jaylon Tyson represents the most versatile option. Standing at 1.98m and just in his second year, he is a "connector" capable of contributing in all facets: scoring, distributing, rebounding, and defending with intensity. The question lies in the consistency of his outside shot. In college, he averaged 37.2% from three, but in his rookie year, this dropped to 34.5%.
However, he exploded in the playoffs, shooting an exceptional 55.6% from long range. His numbers in three games as a starter - 17.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.7 steals - endorse him as a serious candidate to become J.B. Bickerstaff's trustworthy "11th man."
In conclusion, the Cavaliers begin the season with legitimate aspirations to contend for the Conference Finals. Their core of stars shines brighter than that of most franchises. However, the course of the season may depend less on Garland or Evan Mobley and more on a player who, on paper, wouldn't even be guaranteed minutes. In Cleveland, they know well that in a year marked by fragility at the point guard position, success could hinge on that 11th man capable of supporting the team when the spotlight isn't on him.
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