The Cleveland Cavaliers are stacked with talent and star power heading into the 2017-18 NBA season. That is a good thing, especially since they aim to compete for another NBA championship. However, it may be unfavorable to some prominent players on the roster, like Tristan Thompson and Dwyane Wade.

First is Thompson, who has started for the Cavaliers since his second season (2012-13) with them.

Thompson proved that he is a reliable center even though he is not much of a scorer. Sadly for him, his days as a starting center for Cleveland might be numbered.

On Saturday, following the Cavaliers' practice, head coach Tyronn Lue shared that Thomspon could come off the bench in their new campaign. Potentially replacing him is Kevin Love, who saw action as a center several times for last season's team. Love is a far better offensive player than Thompson and is also a decent defender. He is more athletic as well and can space the floor better because of his ability to shoot from the outside.

Thompson averaged 8.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.1 blocks per game during the 2016-17 season.

Love, on the other hand, recorded 19.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game for the Cavaliers.

Dwyane Wade battling J.R. Smith

Wade is in a similar situation in Cleveland. He is also uncertain if the starting job at shooting guard will belong to him in the 2017-18 season. Wade can definitely still start for many NBA teams and his numbers from the previous season with the Chicago Bulls show it. The only question is, will he successfully take the job that J.R. Smith had for almost three years?

A few days ago, Smith confidently told the media that he believes he remains in the starting five for the Cavaliers. Though he also stated that it does not matter who starts between him and Wade, as long as "it makes us stronger." Lue is not yet revealing details regarding the matter, though he admitted that they already have plans for their starting unit.

Projected starting five

As the new season nears, the Cavaliers' potential starting lineup is beginning to get clearer. At point guard, with Isaiah Thomas out, they will be relying on former MVP Derrick Rose. Wade and Smith may still be competing at shooting guard. Franchise superstar LeBron James is going to be the main man at small forward. When Lue goes with Love instead of Thompson at center, that likely means Jae Crowder will be Cleveland's starting power forward.