What Would a Cavs Lineup Look Like with Carmelo Anthony?

ESPN reported Wednesday that the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are still discussing a possible trade for Carmelo Anthony.

The Cavs already shut down the idea of involving Kevin Love for Anthony straight up.

However, if a deal could be reached that kept Love, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James in Cleveland, it appears the Cavaliers are interested.

So what lineup(s) could the Cavs throw out there if they added Anthony?

To make the money work, it’s highly likely that Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson would have to be involved.

Hypothetically, let’s say the Cavs send Shumpert, Thompson and Jordan McRae.

For one thing, that opens up two roster spots.

The Cavs are already looking to add a veteran point guard and that would fill one of the newly created holes.

The team also will need another big man to make up for losing Thompson.

Perhaps Lance Stephenson or another free-agent wing could fill that third roster opening.

If Thompson and Shumpert are traded, the main players that stay are LeBron, Irving, Love, Kyle Korver, Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson, DeAndre Liggins, James Jones, and Kay Felder. Also the Cavs expect J.R. Smith back by late-March/early-April.

What possible starting lineups could the Cavs use with Melo?

PG Irving

SG Korver (Smith playoffs)

SF Anthony

PF James

C Love

This lineup puts all four stars on the court at the same time. Love would have some bad matchups against some teams, but the league is going away from true centers and he would be a nightmare for many of the remaining true centers to have to guard.

PG Irving

SG Anthony

SF James

PF Frye

C Love

This lineup would be dangerous with Frye and Love both on the court, creating space for LeBron, Irving, and Anthony to do work.

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PG Irving

SG Korver (Smith playoffs)

SF James

PF Frye

C Love

Sixth Man: Anthony

The lack of firepower off the bench has been an issue for the Cavs all season. Bringing Anthony in with the second unit could be a great way to alleviate that.  When LeBron, Irving, and Love are resting, Melo can score in bunches.

When the game gets down to crunch time, the Cavs’ lineup could still consist of all of the Big Four on the court at the same time. Although Anthony wouldn’t start, he’d still play the majority of the minutes, but his initial play as a shot in the arm for a lifeless second unit scoring group could do wonders.

I’m not saying the Cavs would be glad to lose two key guys in Thompson and Shumpert, but if a deal like that were to be reached, these are just a few of the combinations the Cavs could use.