Cavs: An Honest Look At The Backup Point Guard Position
Not too long ago we took a look at backup point guards who might be available via trade if the Cleveland Cavaliers felt they needed an upgrade over Matthew Dellavedova at the position. The trade deadline has come and gone, but many of the same concerns remain. Is Dellavedova the man to backup Kyrie Irving? If he’s not the ideal choice, can the Cavaliers win a title with Delly as the backup point guard? Should the Cavaliers still try to make an upgrade this season? What about during the summer for next season and beyond? Today King James Gospel tries to answer all of these questions as we look at what many consider to be the weak point of the Cavaliers’ rotation.
Is Dellavedova the man the Cavs need?
Probably not. As William Bohl at Fear The Sword wrote recently, Dellavedova is extremely limited on offense and overrated on defense. His Real Plus-Minus Numbers back this up. After a promising rookie year in which he led all rookies in RPM, Delly has been a negative on both ends of the floor this year. As active as he is, particularly on the defensive end, he actually makes almost no impact with this activity other than fouling his man with increasing frequency. He also lacks the athleticism to stay with quick point guards, a plentiful type in the NBA. While he is a solid catch-and-shoot threat, Dellavedova has no ability to score at the basket (he’s shooting only 29% on two-point attempts this season), and averages only 7.2 assists per 100 possessions, a shockingly low rate for someone who supposedly does a good job running the offense.
Can the Cavaliers win with Dellavedova as the backup point guard?
Despite all of the things said above, it’s unlikely that Dellavedova would actually cost the Cavaliers a title. First of all, while Dellavedova is a limited player, he is also one that makes relatively no mistakes. He averages less than one turnover a game and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of over three to one, an excellent number. He is also a man who is aware of his limitations. While it’s true that Dellavedova has tremendously difficulty scoring in any way besides catch-and-shoot opportunities, he knows this and tries to avoid the shots he struggles with unless there are literally no other options. Finally, with the starters likely to play heavier minutes in the playoffs, it is unlikely Dellavedova plays much more than ten to fifteen minutes a game. In fact, he has actually played a combined total of 24 minutes over the last two games, potentially a sign that coach David Blatt realizes the team is better served with the Aussie in a smaller role.
Should the Cavaliers try to upgrade over Dellavedova this season?
They would if they could, but they can’t so they won’t. As we said in our previous piece, there weren’t many backup point guards available, and those that were didn’t seem like a clear upgrade over Dellavedova in terms of what the Cavaliers need from their backup point guard (defense, outside shooting, ability to run the offense, and mistake-free basketball on both ends of the floor). Even Mo Williams, who is playing terrific basketball for the Charlotte Hornets, was not nearly so effective during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this season. Now, with the trade deadline having passed, only guards who were playing abroad this season such as Will Bynum and Bobby Brown, remain. No disrespect to these men, but if they were solid NBA players, then they would already have played in the NBA this year. While it may be frustrating to many people who watch the Cavaliers, the team will likely be sticking with Dellavedova for the rest of the season.
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
What about upgrading for next season and beyond?
There is no doubt that the Cavaliers will look to upgrade at backup point guard after this season. Players such as Jeremy Lin and Randy Foye will be free agents after the season and would undoubtedly be upgrades over Dellavedova. It would also not be shocking to see the Cavaliers target a quality (if somewhat overpaid) backup point guard along with another player through a trade involving Brendan Haywood’s non guaranteed contract. Regardless of how they do it, upgrading at backup point guard will likely be one of the Cavaliers’ top priorities after they resign their own free agents this offseason.
With no upgrade on the horizon, Cavalier fans should prepare themselves to continue seeing Matthew Dellavedova in the role of backup point guard. While not the ideal answer by any means, Delly plays hard, smart, and gets every bit out of what little ability he has. In a season in which the Cavaliers traded Dion Waiters due to his reluctance to play team basketball, Dellavedova’s selflessness and work ethic should at least be respected. He may not help this team win its first NBA championship, but he likely won’t cost them that title either, and that’s probably the best the Cavaliers and their fans can hope for at backup point guard right now.
How are you feeling about Delly, the Cavs backup point guard, right now?