Cavs Face ‘Good Problems’ as Stars Near Return and Young Core Shines
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the middle of a stretch that’s turning heads - not just because they’re winning, but because they’re doing it without some of their biggest names. Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus have all been sidelined, yet the Cavs have rattled off one of their most impressive runs of the season over the past 15 games.
And now, with those key players nearing a return, head coach Kenny Atkinson is about to face what every contender wants: tough decisions.
These aren’t the kind of problems that come from lack of talent or inconsistent play. No, this is the kind of roster crunch that signals depth, development, and a locker room full of guys who’ve earned their minutes.
“When you’re talking about who’s going to be in the lineup and who’s not, you want to make those decisions as hard as possible,” said Cavs insider Chris Fedor. “That means you’ve got a roster full of guys who’ve stepped up and proven they belong.”
That’s exactly what’s happened in Cleveland.
With Garland and Mobley out, and Strus still recovering from a foot fracture, younger players like Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Craig Porter Jr., and Jaylon Tyson have seized their moment. They’ve gone from rotation fillers to legitimate contributors - not just holding the fort, but helping the Cavs thrive.
Now comes the balancing act.
Let’s be clear: Garland and Mobley are All-Stars. When they’re ready, they’re back in the starting lineup.
No question. Strus, too, is a core piece - a veteran voice in the locker room and a key floor-spacer.
As columnist Jimmy Watkins put it: “Everyone move out of the way.”
But the real intrigue lies in how the second unit shakes out.
Once the stars return, minutes get tighter. And the guys who’ve been starting or playing big roles during the injury wave?
They’ll be asked to adjust - again. That’s where Atkinson’s challenge begins.
“It’s the second unit where things get complicated,” Watkins explained. “You insert Darius, and now everyone takes a step back. The shuffle begins.”
Still, there’s a silver lining here - and it’s a big one. The trust these young players have earned during this stretch isn’t going away.
Tomlin, for instance, has evolved from raw prospect to defensive disruptor. He’s been tasked with guarding elite scorers and hasn’t flinched.
That kind of growth doesn’t just vanish when the roster is healthy.
“The belief and trust these guys are earning now is going to matter,” said podcast host Ethan Sands. “Kenny’s not going to be as hesitant to call their number later in the season.”
That trust could be the difference in a tight playoff game. On nights when the starters don’t have it, don’t be surprised if Atkinson turns to a guy like Tomlin to change the energy.
“Sometimes Kenny might just say, ‘Nae’Qwan, go in there and muck the game up,’” Watkins added. “Get some deflections, grab some boards - do what you do.”
One wrinkle to watch: Max Strus’ recovery. While Garland and Mobley are trending toward a return, Strus is still working his way back.
According to Fedor, he hasn’t taken contact yet - no two-on-two, no full-court drills. That likely means a slower ramp-up and potentially limited minutes when he first returns.
All of this adds up to a very real - and very good - problem for the Cavs: too many guys who deserve to play.
It’s a luxury that championship-caliber teams often have. During the regular season, there’s room to experiment, to mix and match, to reward the hot hand.
But come playoff time, rotations tighten. That’s when the experience guys like Porter, Tyson, and Tomlin have gained could prove invaluable.
They’ve earned their stripes. Now it’s up to Atkinson to find the right mix - not just for February, but for when the lights get brightest.
One thing’s for sure: the Cavs aren’t just surviving the injury bug - they’re growing through it. And when the full roster is back, they might just be even more dangerous.