The Cleveland Cavaliers will sit out Kevin Love, George Hill, and Kyle Korver for Saturday’s preseason game against the Boston Celtics. This will be more of a scouting move as the Cavs’ coaching staff tries to get a better look at their younger players and figure out their final roster spot.
Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reported this development from Cavs camp, mentioning head coach Tyronn Lue’s statement on benching his veterans.
There’s one roster spot up for grabs and Lue wants to get a closer look at some of his younger guys. Saturday provides a great opportunity for that.
“Kind of see what we have,” Lue said following Friday’s practice. “We want to give guys a chance to play and kind of see what they do when the lights are on instead of just practice. Talking to (general manager) Koby (Altman), that’s the right thing to do. We will see how it goes tomorrow.”
While prized rookie Colin Sexton will be the team’s point guard of the future, the Cavs have started Hill at that spot this preseason. Sexton will finally have the chance to fill that role against Boston.
Fedor also mentioned that point guards Isaiah Taylor and Kobi Simmons are competing for the last roster spot, and Saturday’s game could be their final audition. Taylor is coming off stints with the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, while the 6-foot-5 Simmons played for the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
A youth movement is a point of emphasis for the Cavs as the team rebuilds their identity following the LeBron James era, and this game will feature plenty of it.