How Ante Zizic can have a bigger impact for the Cleveland Cavaliers

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 7: Ante Zizic #41 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Being a secondary post-up threat

Although it wasn’t really showcased much against NBA competition, Zizic does have post polish. While playing in games with Cleveland’s G-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, he averaged 16.3 points on a 62.4 percent true shooting rate.

He led the Charge with a 24.2 PER as well, per Basketball Reference.

He is decisive in getting to a strongside shoulder hook shot and does do a good job of getting position early in the shot clock when the set is there. He’s definitely a capable roller, too, while being a more creative and skilled finisher than Thompson.

He’s also more efficient than Nance.

His low-post position should allow Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Cedi Osman and others to have a nice security blanket to set up cutting lanes. That would enable the Cavs to cause defensive scrambling, leading to some skip corner threes after man movement.

Recently, KJG’s former co-expert Nathan Beighle compared Zizic’s ceiling to Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, with his archetype as a traditional big.

That seems reasonable for the 21-year-old, given that he does not project as a floor spacer, or high-usage player but will get his share of putbacks and could be a high-level screener with his 6-foot-11, 250-pound frame. Adams has improved over the years as a post-up threat and has always rebounded on both ends at a high clip.

That’s an invaluable skill and another way Zizic could warrant minutes over Thompson, who was injured throughout last season.

Channing Frye could get some minutes as a veteran pick-and-pop threat but Zizic needs reps.

Secondly, Zizic’s rebounding is a major plus.