Cleveland Cavaliers: Youth movement could bring new Big Three

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How will Osman contribute to the Big 3?

Osman, much like Sexton, is far from a finished product.

He still is out of control at times with the ball in his hands, forcing actions that aren’t always there, which is understandable for a young player, but it’s clear that his on-ball creating potential could be more than what Cleveland originally thought.

In mainly an energy role last season as a defensive spark-plug and hustle player, Osman wasn’t counted on to produce as a scorer or make things happen for teammates.

The Cavs had LeBron James and others for that, but now that’s not the case. He displayed a myriad of moves at FIBA Eurobasket, and that flash of scoring punch has been no fluke in Summer League. Osman feels a “new sense of responsibility heading into his second season,” per Ashley Bastock of Fear The Sword.

So far in the two Summer League games he’s played, he’s gotten where he’s wanted to on the floor, attacking the basket with authority, and he’s shown some nice jump shot creation off the bounce from three-point land and in the mid-range area.

He’s put up 20.0 points per game in a volume shooting role, and his constant pressure on opposing defenses is a good sign for what’s to come when Cleveland has dead-eye shooters such as Kevin Love and Kyle Korver out on the floor to create more spacing for Osman.

Opponents are not going to be able to just play off Osman and watch LeBron operate from now on; he’ll be attacking downhill and pushing the pace whenever possible (like Sexton).

Nance touched on that being a huge focus for the Cavs next year, and how he’ll bring another element to that with the perimeter guys of Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and Osman, per Paolo Uggetti of The Ringer.

"“We are going to fly next season, we are going to fly,” Nance says. “I plan on getting out and running like deer. … I gotta teach Collin. He hasn’t played with anybody that he can throw it up 12 feet to, so I gotta teach him to get out on the break, toss it somewhere up there, and I’ll go find it.”"