Projected opening night roster:
Name Ht/Wt Yr. PPG RPG APG
Chris Andersen 6-10/245 15th 3.9 3.6 0.3
Comment: Former teammate to LeBron in Miami, “Birdman” will bring hustle and muscle off bench … Split last season between the Heat and Grizzlies, appearing in 47 games (29 starts). … Considered a replacement for Timofey Mozgov in Cavs rotation.
Mike Dunleavy 6-9/220 15th 7.2 2.7 1.3
Comment: Shot 52 percent on wide open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last year with the Bulls … Missed half the season recovering from back surgery, but still shot 39 percent overall on 3-pointers. … Considered a shooting upgrade over Matthew Dellavedova, but questionable defensively.
Kay Felder 5-9/176 R 24.4 4.3 9.3
Comment: Undersized point guard struggles with his shot, but excels at getting into the lane … Explosive, athletic guard drafted 54th overall last summer … His size will make it difficult for him to defend in pick-and-rolls … could start the year sidelined after sustaining a concussion late in the preseason.
Channing Frye 6-11/255 11th 8.0 3.3 1.0
Comment: Shot nearly 38 percent from 3-point range after joining the Cavs at the trade deadline … Versatile big man who can stretch opposing defenses from the center position. … Married with two kids. … His mother is an Emmy winning reporter and producer in Phoenix.
Kyrie Irving 6-3/193 6th 19.6 3.0 4.7
Comment: His game-winning 3-pointer in Game 7 of the Finals — off the wrong foot, no less — immediately makes him one of the most beloved players in Cleveland sports history. … Shot 32 percent from 3-point range during the regular season, but improved that to 44 percent during the playoffs. Won an NBA championship and Olympic gold medal in the same summer.
LeBron James 6-8/250 14th 25.3 6.8 7.4
Comment: Completed his mission of delivering a championship to Cleveland, now he might be rewarded with his fifth Most Valuable Player award … Begins the season ranked fifth in history in scoring average, 11th in total points and 18th in assists. … He’s really good.
Richard Jefferson 6-7/233 16th 5.5 1.7 0.9
Comment: Briefly retired, then unretired and signed a two-year contract to stay with the Cavs. … Made at least three 3s in a game seven times last season and scored in double figures 15 times. … Expected to share a role in the rotation with Mike Dunleavy.
Dahntay Jones 6-6/225 13th 13.0 5.0 2.0
Comment: Veteran signed on final day of regular season, but quickly fit into veteran locker room. … Played well in brief time during Game 6 win at home against the Warriors. … In contention to win one of final spots at bottom of roster.
James Jones 6-8/218 14th 3.8 1.0 0.3
Comment: 3-point specialist and beloved veteran; LeBron’s right-hand man in the locker room … Has made 104 3-pointers during his two years in Cleveland after making a total of 90 during his last three years in Miami combined … James has made it clear as long as he’s playing, he wants Jones on his team.
DeAndre Liggins 6-6/209 4th 13.0 6.3 7.0
Comment: Combo guard spent last season in the Development League, earning his second Defensive Player of the Year award. … Candidate to make the roster because of his versatility and defensive prowess.
Kevin Love 6-10/251 9th 16.0 9.9 2.4
Comment: Shot 36 percent from 3-point range and finally found a bit of a comfort zone offensively after Tyronn Lue took over as coach … His 158 3-pointers last season rank as fifth-most in team history for a single season … Will be remembered for defensive stop on Steph Curry in Game 7 of Finals.
Jordan McRae 6-6/185 2nd 4.5 0.9 1.1
Comment: Pure scorer who struggled in transition this preseason to point guard and plan was eventually scrapped … Scored a career-high 36 against Pistons in regular-season finale when Cavs rested their regulars … Still raw player who struggles defensively at times, but one of team’s few trade assets.
Iman Shumpert 6-5/220 6th 5.8 3.8 1.7
Comment: Struggled through his worst statistical season after signing a $40 million contract prior to last season … Had five games with at least three steals … Must improve his 3-point shooting and return to the defensive stopper he was prior to last year.
J.R. Smith 6-6/225 13th 12.4 2.8 1.7
Comment: Made a career-high 204 3-pointers last season and shot 40 percent from deep. … Has developed into a two-way player and a locker room favorite. … Signed a four-year deal that could be worth $57 million after a holdout that lasted most of the preseason.
Tristan Thompson 6-10/238 6th 7.8 9.0 0.8
Comment: His 370 consecutive games-played streak is the longest active in the NBA … Shot a career-best .588 last season and became ninth player in team history with at least 2,000 defensive rebounds … His 268 offensive rebounds tied for second in the league.
Mo Williams 6-1/198 14th 6.2 1.8 2.4
Comment: Breakup with Cavs is getting ugly after he told them he was retiring, then never filed his paperwork and instead opted for knee surgery. Not expected to be on opening night roster, but still counts on 15-man roster for now.
Note: All stats are from 2015-16 season.
— Jason Lloyd