After overhauling nearly half of their roster at the NBA trade deadline, the Cleveland Cavaliers will debut a new starting lineup against the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
According to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue announced on Saturday that newly acquired George Hill will serve as the Cavs' starting point guard. Joining Hill in Cleveland's new-look starting lineup will be LeBron James, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and Cedi Osman.
The Cavs acquired Hill from the Sacramento Kings just prior to the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, in a three-team deal in which they also received forward Rodney Hood from the Utah Jazz. In a separate trade, the Cavs received Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson from the Los Angeles Lakers, in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a 2018 first-round pick.
According to Lue, all four of the team's recently acquired players will play on Sunday after all parties involved passed their physicals. The third-year Cleveland head coach also revealed that Nance Jr. will begin his Cavs career as Thompson's backup at center, although that could eventually change based on matchups.
Also of note in the Cavs' new lineup is the inclusion of Osman, who made his first career start on Friday night. In 39 minutes of action, the rookie forward scored 16 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 5 assists as the short-handed Cavs beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-107.
In total, the Cavs traded away six players on Thursday, including Dwyane Wade, who was sent to the Miami Heat in exchange for a second-round pick.
The Cavs and Celtics will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
