Cavs don’t want to trade Cedi Osman
Cleveland Cavaliers rookie small forward Cedi Osman looks like he’s here to stay.
According to Joe Vardon of cleveland.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers are uninterested in trading rookie small forward Cedi Osman.
"“…the Cavs have 22-year-old rookie Cedi Osman whom they signed from Turkey and have said they do not wish to trade him.”"
Richard Jefferson, a 37-year-old small forward and soon-to-be 17-year NBA veteran is on the last guaranteed season of his contract. Though he seems like an ageless wonder at times, a testament to his natural athleticism, he’s firmly in the twilight of his career. Small forward Jeff Green signed a one-year deal with the Cavs this summer and even if Kyle Korver were to play small forward next season (he’s been working with the forwards after practice), he’s a 36-year-old wing with whose contract isn’t guaranteed past the 2018-2019 season.
Lastly, with shooting guard Iman Shumpert’s durability and availability via trade a cause of constant speculation, Osman could be a suitable replacement for Shumpert. Shumpert, like Osman, is a versatile defender and a player who has shown the potential to make a consistent impact on offense (though Shumpert has never quite put it together).
For those that want the Cavaliers to both have youth on the roster and to begin growing their talent organically, the idea that the team wants to keep their 22-year-old forward is music to their ears. For those that believe in Osman’s potential, the Cavs are also making the right move because they’re choosing to develop a prospect that has the talent to be a rotation player on a championship-contending team.
Right now, head coach Tyronn Lue says Osman’s job is to learn and compete but that he liked what he saw from the rookie in his first game. Namely, Osman’s defense and intelligence.
Offensively, Osman likes the Cleveland Cavaliers up-and-down pace.
"“Here in the NBA they play a lot of fast basketball,” he said. “Overseas it’s not like that. It’s more halfcourt plays and stuff. But here always running, fastbreak points, easy points. That’s not a problem for me. Overseas I was playing like this all the time. I’m the guy with a lot of energy and the guy who likes to run the floor all the time. I think that will not be a problem for me.”"
He played at the highest pace of any Cav in the preseason opener (outside of center Kendrick Perkins) and even his nifty bucket in the post against the Atlanta Hawks was a quick and aggressive move.
Though he didn’t make a three in his first game, he’s expected to be a consistent three-point shooter for the Cavs. Osman won’t play in the Cleveland Cavaliers second preseason game, so that he can rest after playing more than expected in the preseason opener.
Osman has considered himself to be a Cav since the team selected him with the 31st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He built a strong relationship with Cleveland Cavaliers former general manager David Griffin. Though Griffin was eventually replaced by Koby Altman, the current front office regime seems invested in Osman too, having turned down multiple trade offers for Osman and signing him with their mid-level exception (MLE). Now, Osman is under contract for at least three more years and will be a restricted free agent should he choose not to accept his qualifying offer in 2020-2021.
As a restricted free agent, the Cavs have the right to match any offer he receives to keep him on the team. Compare Osman’s contract with Jefferson, Korver or Green, other wings the Cleveland Cavaliers signed this season. Or even compare it to the contract of second-year pro Kay Felder, who the Cavs spent $2.5 million to select in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. Felder has only a partially guaranteed salary in this season and non-guaranteed next season. It’s apparent, just from comparing and contrasting their player contracts, that the Cleveland Cavaliers value Osman’s youth and potential.
When the team moves a guaranteed contract to make room for Dwyane Wade, don’t expect Cedi to go anywhere.