Cedi Osman headed to Cleveland, San Antonio interested
Cedi Osman is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs are interested in his services.
According to basketball insider David Pick, 22-year-old forward Cedi Osman is headed to the Land to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers staff. He’s informed his former team, Anadolu Efes, that he’ll pull the trigger on the $1 million NBA buyout clause in his contract.
Source: Cavs stash Cedi Osman is headed to Cleveland to meet staff and informed Anadolu Efes he'll pull the trigger on his $1M NBA out.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 30, 2017
Osman has been expected to come to the Cavs team for quite some time after being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 31st pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and subsequently traded to the Cavs on draft night for Tyus Jones.
At the time, former general manager David Griffin had this to say about Osman (quote transcribed by cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor):
"“Cedi Osman is a player that I believe in immensely as a human being as well as a player,” Griffin said following Thursday night’s draft. “I think his skill set suits us very, very well in terms of his athleticism, ability to play in transition and his ability to slash as an athlete.”"
Last season, Osman averaged 10.2 points per game while shooting 36.5 percent from the field while showing the ability to finish around the rim with floaters and layups after straight line drives. Osman has also developed a solid post game and shows solid footwork and a feel for the defense, allowing him to pivot and counterpivot smoothly to create space and get a shot off. He’s shown some abilities to make plays out of the pick-and-roll as well, a skill he can develop as he earns more responsibility as a playmaker.
He’s a high energy player who makes plays on the defensive end with sheer effort, great technique in on-ball defense, solid athleticism and solid timing. Osman’s shown three-and-D potential in his time with Anadolu Efes and, in terms of intangibles, his aura was endearing.
He wants to win, he wants to learn and he’s excited about the prospects of playing in the NBA. In an exclusive interview with Fear the Sword, Griffin revealed that he looked at Osman like a son:
"Oh yeah, Koby Altman (Cavs Director of Pro Personnel) and our staff have done an amazing job of making him identify himself as a Cav. The kid will tell you he’s a Cleveland Cavalier. When we’ve drafted Goran Dragic in Phoenix he was like my son. This kid is that type of human being. He’s that good of a kid, and about the right things."
There will be some issues in guarding the quicker and more explosive athletes perimeter players in the league, as well as players who are stronger than him. However, Osman’s body should develop more muscle with NBA trainers and on a team with a gym rat who happens to be the team leader in James. If he has the physical tools, his effort, natural talent and willingness to learn should allow him to be a solid rotation player for the Cavs in the future.
Perhaps that’s why the San Antonio Spurs have interest in the Cavs forward.
#Spurs have interest in #Cavs' draft-and-stash prospect Cedi Osman, league sources tell AmicoHoops. Teams have not yet discussed.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 30, 2017
The Spurs interest in Osman is notable because of the Cleveland Cavaliers interest in their shooting guard Danny Green.
The Cavs and Spurs have been in trade talks involving Danny Green, sources say. Spurs' asking price has been high, though.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 22, 2017
With the Spurs interest in European players, the Cavs may have the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to trading for Green. However, a trade for Green is a win-now move that’s relatively shortsighted considering the possibility that Osman could eventually become a better player than Green.
The Cavs should keep Osman. However, if they really want Green, Osman may have to be a Spur.