The Cleveland Cavaliers are overplaying LeBron James to start the season, and Cedi Osman could be the obvious fix to the problem.
On July 18, 2017, the Cleveland Cavaliers elected to bring over Turkish sensation Cedi Osman. Osman was originally drafted in the 2015 NBA draft but was dealt to the Cavs later that day.
Throughout his time in Turkey and with the Turkish national team, Osman proved that he can shoot and defend at the highest level. Osman also played in the FIBA Eurobasket tournament where he continued to show flashes of a star in the making.
Osman, who could eventually be a solid role player for the Cavaliers, has barely received any time this season. He has actually only seen time in six games and has played a mere 28 minutes through the Cavaliers first 13 games. While Osman’s career-high is still just four points, he has had a couple stellar drives.
Here’s one of Cedi’s best takes where he flicks the ball up and in while the defense swarmed. Cedi hasn’t had much opportunity to impress, but he did so here.
LeBron James is currently playing over 38.0 minutes per game. Entering his 15th season, James needs to conserve his energy. Just like the past seven seasons, James could be looking at playing 100+ games again. With Gordon Hayward out for the season, the East’s only true contender is the Cleveland Cavaliers. That said, LeBron James needs to stay fresh for the long and tiring postseason. Tyronn Lue and his staff have several players that could fill the void for James if they reduce his minutes, so why not take him down to about 32 a night?
Jeff Green and Jae Crowder are both dynamic defenders. But, unlike Cedi, their ceiling has a cap to it. Cedi has yet to reach his full potential. At just 21-years-old, the Cleveland Cavaliers have Cedi locked up for the next three seasons. Why not develop the lengthy 6-foot-8 Turk?
Coach Tyronn Lue has been on the hot seat lately. The Cavaliers started the season 6-7, but they have won three of their last five after a dismal four-game losing streak. With JR Smith finally returning to his usual self along with Kevin Love putting up huge numbers of the last couple games, Tyronn Lue could slide Cedi into the rotation and play him alongside both Love and Smith, who have recently been playing their best basketball this season.
Lue needs to start developing Osman. Not just for this season, but for the next couple seasons as well. LeBron James won’t be his superstar self forever, and teaching Cedi Osman how to compete in the NBA should be a top priority. Until the Cavaliers start to consistently beat teams again, it looks like Cedi will stick to being a permanent member of the third unit. His minutes will stay low, and fans will continue to wonder what the international sensation is all about.
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If the Cavs aren’t going to play Cedi, they should have just kept him overseas. Hopefully, we see him alotted minutes sooner rather than later.