Wade to start for Cavaliers

CLEVELAND — Dwyane Wade signed as a free agent with the Cavaliers without being promised a starting job. He's got one anyway. After toying with other lineup combinations, Cavs coach Tryonn Lue said Monday that Wade will start at shooting guard alongside Derrick Rose in Cleveland's remodeled backcourt. Wade recently signed a one-year contract with the Cavs, reuniting with LeBron James in Cleveland after the two superstars spent four seasons together in Miami.

Now they're together again in the starting lineup.

Lue will unveil Cleveland's new lineup — Wade, Rose, James, Jae Crowder and Kevin Love — on Tuesday night in an exhibition against Chicago, Wade's team last season. The 12time All-Star will replace J.R. Smith, who will come off the bench after starting 112 games over the past two seasons.

Lue said Smith didn't have any problem moving into a new role on Cleveland's second unit, which will also include Tristan Thompson, Kyle Korver and Jeff Green and is liable to undergo numerous modifications throughout the season.

It's a big change for Smith, who has been a major contributor the past three seasons for the defending Eastern Conference champions.

"He was fine," Lue said of Smith, who missed 36 games last season after undergoing surgery on a broken thumb. "It's tough, you've been in position where you went to three straight Finals and you've been the starting 2-guard. But like I said, it's about sacrifice if you want to win. J.R. was great about it. Just knows he has to have a different role right now so we'll see how it works." AP