Cavaliers add much-needed depth with Okaro White

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed Okaro White to a ten-day contract to fill out the roster. Besides being a warm body on the bench, White can bring a few things to the injury-ravaged Cavaliers.

After suffering through a litany of injuries in the month of March, the Cleveland Cavaliers added some needed depth in power forward Okaro White. White and the Cavaliers agreed to a ten-day contract per Yahoo Sports Shams Charania:

White, who is 25-years-old, played at Florida State for four years before entering the 2014 NBA Draft. After going undrafted, White would play overseas before landing with the Miami Heat. The former Seminole averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in two seasons with the Heat but was held to six games this season after breaking his foot.

The most obvious thing White brings to the Cavaliers is an extra body to fill out their roster. As of their win against the Chicago Bulls, the team only has thirteen active players which is one below the league-minimum. While he is only here for a ten-day stint, there a few things White can bring to the table when healthy.

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As mentioned before, the Cavaliers have dealt with far too many injuries this season. In March alone, the team has lost Tristan Thompson (ankle) and Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring) to injury. White would be able to provide some extra rebounding and defense while Thompson, Nance and Kevin Love all recover. Per 36 minutes, White has career averages 6.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks a game and would be a welcome addition to a Cavaliers team that struggles with both.

While being a reliable defensive option, White can contribute on offense as well. With the Cavaliers, he can be a reliable option at the rim. Much like Ante Zizic, White can serve as a receiver to passes from LeBron James and George Hill.

Besides attacking the rim, White can also stretch the floor beyond the arc as well. In his two seasons in the Association, White is connecting on his three-pointers at a 35.6% clip. While not earth-shattering, White can provide an extra dimension like Jeff Green.

Before signing with the Heat, White was a D-League All-Star with the Sioux Falls Skyforce and earned his minutes and role with Miami. He was vital to their thirteen-game win streak last season.

Compared to most guys teams sign to a ten-day contract, White actually provides some potential to the Cavaliers. The Heat have earned a reputation for developing solid role players like Tyler Johnson with the Skyforce and seemed to have with White. With their proven track record, it will not be surprising to see White in The Land beyond his ten-day contract.

So now that Cavaliers fans know a bit about White, the question is where will he fit in?

At full health, White is outclassed by Love, Nance and Thompson but can compete with Jeff Green for minutes.

There are a lot of similarities between their games but White does not seem to want to settle for three-pointers. If White remains with the team beyond his contract, he could earn about ten to thirteen minutes a night.

Over the next ten days, White may be able to carve out a role with the Cavaliers, especially if Green’s back problems flare up. White has a game similar to Green’s and is a better fit on the team’s timeline after their recent youth movement. How he uses his time in Cleveland will decide if he remains with the team.

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If he makes the most of it, it will not be a surprise to see him beyond ten days.