Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Bogut, Kay Felder Will Be In Uniform As Cavs Face Miami Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have their new big man, Andrew Bogut, and rookie Kay Felder in uniform tonight as they face off against the Miami Heat.

According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Andrew Bogut will be in uniform for the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Unfortunately, Bogut is dealing with immigration and visa issues.

This will be Bogut’s debut for the Cavaliers, who signed the center last Thursday after he cleared waivers. Bogut reached a buyout agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers after the Dallas Mavericks traded him, Justin Anderson and a conditional first-round pick to the City of Brotherly Love for Nerlens Noel. The Dallas Mavericks waived Deron Williams, who subsequently signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, on the same day they traded Bogut.

Now, ironically, the team who dealt the most damaging blow to James’ legacy has given James two players that will help him win a NBA Finals series against the Kevin Durant-led Warriors. A victory that many believe will vault him past Michael Jordan in terms of all-time stature.

Funny how these things work sometimes isn’t it?

Bogut, who averaged 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 block in 22.4 minutes per game for the Dallas Mavericks this season, will come to a Cavs team that without Kevin Love, is missing another dominant rebounder outside of Tristan Thompson and LeBron James. Bogut also figures to be a two-way player for the Cleveland Cavaliers with his ability to facilitate and protect the rim. Bogut is one of the elite rim-protectors and has the ability to generate assists in the open court or halfcourt.

According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, also suiting up for the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight will be rookie Kay Felder, who has been recalled from his assignment to the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League.

Felder, who is averaging 30.6 points per game in the D-League, which would rank first among all D-League players, is also averaging 6.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game despite being 5-foot-9. In seven games for the Canton Charge, Felder is shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 40.6 percent from three-point range and 85.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Felder is playing like he’s been shot out of a cannon in his time with the Charge, who love to let their guards dominate the pace and scoring. Felder hasn’t shown that the game is slowing down for him but he is recognizing how to minimize the effects of being undersized. He gets to the rim and draws contact at an excellent rate and he’s learned the player can’t keep up with his speed and ball-handling.

Working on his consistency and functional understanding of the game will be the biggest steps for Felder. Splitting time between the Charge and the Cavs, where the speed of the game is different, is a great way to make sure his development is translating to the NBA game.

Felder could play tonight if the Cleveland Cavaliers empty their bench in a blowout although there is the chance that Williams rests, as he has only played in six games in the last two months. His legs could be getting a little tired after playing three games in four days.

Tonight will be exciting as Bogut, who Cavs fans have loathed from afar for the past two seasons, and Felder, who exhilarates fans with the juxtaposition of his size and his athleticism, could both be on the court tonight. Especially after the fireworks display that took place at the end of Saturday’s game.

Related Story: What Direction Could The Cleveland Cavaliers Turn This Offseason?

What do you expect to see from Andrew Bogut and Kay Felder tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Miami Heat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.