Matthew Dellavedova’s Time in Cleveland is Coming to an End

The writing seems to be on the wall for Matthew Dellavedova with the Cleveland Cavaliers paying a hefty price of $2.4 million for the 54th pick in the 2016 draft to draft Oakland’s Kay Felder.

After spending three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 5.7 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from the field, Matthew Dellavedova’s time with the Cavaliers could be nearing an end after the acquisition of Kay Felder.

Dellavedova, 25, has become a consistent perimeter threat who can hold his own defensively, improving his numbers each year he has been in the league. During the 2015-16 campaign, Delly ranked 13th in the association on three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 41.0 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He was also very smart with the ball, posting an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.91 (10th in the league).

His tremendous hustle and determination on defense is, without a doubt, his calling card. Although he is not an elite defender, Delly is constantly forcing his opponent to take ill-advised shots by playing air-tight defense.

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Dellavedova has played himself right out of their price range. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Zach Lowe’s podcast, the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks have interest in signing the free-agent point guard, and he has reason to believe they will offer Delly a contract worth roughly $10 million.

Knowing Delly is garnering interest from around the league, the Cavaliers bought the rights to the 54th pick in the 2016 NBA draft from the Atlanta Hawks, which ended up being a well-rounded point guard in Kay Felder.

Related Story: What Does Kay Felder Bring to Cavs? What Does it Mean For Other Cavs?

A combination of Felder’s size, he’s 5-foot-10, and the league he played in during college, the Horizon League, resulted in a fall to the second round. Felder ranked first in the nation in assists with 9.3 per game, and fourth in scoring with 24.4 points per game. These numbers made him the only collegiate player to rank in the top five in both categories.

Felder’s bread and butter is attacking the rim and drawing fouls, as he attempted 8.1 free throws per game during his junior season at Oakland. Drawing comparisons to former NBA point guard Nate Robinson, Felder also has the ability to play above the rim, posting the second-highest vertical in the history of the NBA combine at 44 inches.

Felder will be asked to provide a very similar play-making role as he did during his collegiate days at Oakland off the Cavaliers’ bench. When given the opportunity, he will also relieve players such as Kyrie Irving and LeBron James of their ball handling duties, as he has proven he is a very confident ball handler.

One staple of the Cavaliers’ Finals victory over the Golden State Warriors was getting switches off various pick-and-roll plays, and it just so happens that Felder excels in the pick-and-roll. Whether it is James or Tristan Thompson rolling to the rim, Felder has plenty of options in the pick-and-roll game.

The transition into the NBA shouldn’t be too difficult for Felder, as he has the luxury of playing alongside seasoned veterans such as Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Mo Williams, among others.

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His offensive talent aside, Felder must become a willing defender at the next level if he wants to stick around with the Cavaliers. In college, Felder oftentimes took plays off, and he had a tendency to allow bigger defenders to blow right past him.

If Felder can’t get his act together on defense, it could hinder the Cavaliers’ chances at winning consecutive NBA championships. Although he did not play consistent minutes in the Finals, Dellavedova was able to provide nightly intensity on defense, something Felder should aspire to do at the next level.

He may not be expected to provide the defensive presence that Dellavedova has done for three seasons with the wine and gold, but he will be asked to be asked to become a capable defender at the next level. With a reduced workload offensively, and his strong frame, Felder has the tools to become a respected defender for the Cavaliers.

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After paying $2.4 million for the 54th pick in the draft, it seems as if Felder is in the Cavaliers’ plans moving forward, meaning Dellavedova, who is set to become a restricted free agent, will no longer be needed for the Cavaliers.