SACRAMENTO – Injuries forced another change in the formation of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They also create opportunities.
Sources told cleveland.com, swingman Brodric Thomas will make his first NBA career on Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings.
With Jarrett Allen sidelined because of a concussion he suffered at the start of Friday’s 100-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Cavaliers having no other real center after the exchange of JaVale McGee and the purchase of Andre Drummond, the coach JB Bickerstaff will start Saturday’s game with a small lineup featuring Thomas in 3. Thomas will be joined by Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro and Larry Nance Jr.
“We need to face the guys we have available,” said Bickerstaff just over an hour before the complaint. “With the trade and stuff, and Jarrett being hurt obviously limits us there. But we will put five guys that we put there and hope that they will compete ”.
Sources say the Cavs considered taking a different path, pairing Dean Wade and Nance on the attacking court – a combination that had some run on Friday. But both are expected to record heavy minutes at 5 and Bickerstaff thought it would make more sense to scale them up. In addition, the Kings generally have a lineup of three guards with De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield.
1.80 meter, 185 pound Thomas played a total of 10 games in his NBA career, including six since signing a bilateral deal with Cleveland, joining the NBA team after the G League season ended.
In 20 minutes of Friday, Thomas scored five points, all on the free-throw line, to go with three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. The untrained 24-year-old has an average of 4.3 points, 1.2 assists and 1.0 rebounds with Cavs.
Although Cleveland added Isaiah Hartenstein, 2.13 meters, to McGee’s contract with Denver, the young man is not yet ready to make his Cavaliers debut. Hartenstein completed his physical exam and joined the team in Sacramento late on Saturday night after a long flight. He must be at sufficient speed for the end of the trip against Utah on Monday.
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