A player-by-player look at the 2022-23 Cavaliers

Oct. 18—0 — Kevin Love, forward/center: Young teammates refer to 34-year-old Love as "Grandpa." Evan Mobley was 7 years old when Love was a rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008. Love transitioned from starting to being the first forward off the bench last season. He averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 points. But, most importantly, he played in 74 games. He was reluctant to accept the bench role at first, but now embraces it.

3 — Caris LeVert, Guard: LeVert, 6-foot-6, is versatile enough to play guard or forward. He is expected to start at small forward with the backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell set. LeVert was acquired from the Indiana Pacers in a trade last February. He averaged 29.8 minutes and 13.6 points a game. He has worked hard to improve his defense in the offseason and in training camp.

4 — Evan Mobley, power forward/center: It's hard to believe Mobley is only 21 years old. He played in and started 69 games last season, averaging 15 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocked shots and 2.5 assists. He worked on his strength and conditioning in the offseason and he worked with a nutritionist to improve his diet. "We think Evan can be a superstar," Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said.

8 — Lamar Stevens, forward: Lamar Stevens is the definition of a hard worker. He was undrafted in 2020. The Cavaliers signed him to a two-way contract. He played in 40 games as a rookie with no starts. He played in 60 games last season with 13 starts and averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds — not great numbers, but he is steady, reliable and gives Coach J.B. Bickerstaff a physical player off the bench.

9 — Dylan Windler, guard/forward: Injuries have plagued Windler since the Cavaliers selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft. Bickerstaff said Windler was "phenomenal" in the offseason. But Windler suffered a sprained ankle before training camp started. He has a soft touch on 3-point shots and will have a role off the bench if he can stay healthy. That is a big if.

10 — Darius Garland, guard: Garland emerged as an All-Star last season after Collin Sexton suffered a season-ending knee surgery. Garland, 6-foot-1, is the floor general for the Cavs. He averaged a career-high 21.7 points and 35.7 minutes in 68 games in 2021-22. "He's a guy people want to follow," Bickerstaff said. "It's his opportunity and responsibility to lead those guys in adverse situations and pull them together." Garland signed a five-year, $193 million contract extension in July.

13 — Ricky Rubio, guard: Rubio, 6-foot-2, is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered Dec. 23 of last year when he was with the Cavs. He was still injured when the Cavaliers traded him to the Pacers as part of the package to acquire LeVert. He has been practicing his shooting while his teammates practice, but he won't be ready to be activated until December or early January. Rubio's experience of 10 NBA seasons will be valuable in the playoffs. He turns 32 on Oct. 21.

15 — Isaiah Mobley, forward: Isaiah Mobley, 23, is Evan's older brother, even though Isaiah is a rookie. The Cavs selected Isaiah in the second round with the 49th overall pick. He played 94 games at USC over three seasons and averaged 14.2 points a game in 2021-22. Isaiah is on a two-way contract with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavs' G League affiliate.

16 — Cedi Osman, forward: Osman was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, but the 6-foot-7 small forward is back for his sixth season with the Cavs. Kevin Love is the only player that has been on the roster longer. Osman can be a streaky shooter. But when he is on, he provides a spark coming off the bench. He averaged 22.2 minutes a game last season in 66 games with only three starts.

19 — Raul Neto, guard: The Cavaliers signed Neto to a one-year contract on July 1. He will back up Garland as the point guard until Rubio returns from the knee injury. Neto, 30, was born in Brazil. He played four seasons with the Jazz, one with the 76ers and the last two with the Washington Wizards, He played in 70 games with 14 starts last season. He averaged 7.5 points in 2021-22. He is a solid defensive player.

21 — Mamadi Diakite, forward: Diakite, 6-foot-9, is on a two-way contract and might spend most of the season with the Charge so he doesn't get dusty sitting on the Cavaliers bench. Diakite, born in Conakry, Guinea, has championship experience. He played four years at the University of Virginia and was part of the Cavaliers' 2019 NCAA championship team. He was on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020-21 NBA championship team, though he played in only 14 games. He played in 13 games with Oklahoma City last season.

31 — Jarrett Allen, center: The resurgence of the Cavaliers can be traced to Jan. 14, 2021, when they acquired Allen from the Brooklyn Nets as part of the three-team deal the Nets used to acquire James Harden from the Houston Rockets. Allen is a rim defender who doesn't have to dunk to score. He averaged 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds a game last season. Allen missed the final 18 games last season with a broken finger.

32 — Dean Wade, forward-center: Wade, beginning his fourth NBA season, is another undrafted player who found success with the Cavaliers. The Cavs signed him to a three-year $18.5 million contract extension last month. He played in 51 games last season with 28 starts while averaging 19.2 minutes a game. His playing time could increase with Lauri Markkanen being sent to Utah in the Donovan Mitchell trade.

33 — Robin Lopez, center: Lopez, 34, is a well-traveled 7-footer who fits the Cavaliers' big-man philosophy well. He played on eight different teams prior to signing with the Cavs. He will back up Allen. He has played in 36 playoff games during his long career. His experience will help throughout the season to keep Allen and Evan Mobley fresh.

35 — Isaac Okoro, forward/guard: Altman selected Okoro with the fifth pick in the 2019 draft because the 6-foot-5 player from Auburn had a well-deserved reputation of putting defense over his own offense. That has carried over into the way he plays for the Cavaliers. He is often assigned the opponent's best scoring guard. Okoro worked hard in the offseason and in training camp on his shooting, especially from 3-point range, to become a more complete player.

45 — Donovan Mitchell, guard: Mitchell is excited to be part of the Cavaliers with the potential they have to make a deep playoff run this season. Garland and Mitchell both like to shoot the ball, but they are also adept passers. There will be nights when opposing guards have a size advantage because Mitchell and Garland are both 6-foot-1. Altman said it might take time for the pair to get in sync. Of course, every game is important, as the Cavaliers were reminded last year when they tumbled in the Eastern Conference the last two months of the season because of a spate of injuries. Mitchell has a career 23.9 scoring average. He and Garland could be a show unto themselves before the playoffs roll around.