Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 keys to success in 2019-20 for Dylan Windler

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping for nice value with their 26th overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft in Dylan Windler.

The dust has settled from the 2019 NBA Draft and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended up with what seems to be quite a haul, including fifth overall selection Darius Garland, the 26th pick Dylan Windler and the 30th pick in Kevin Porter Jr.

Windler, a wing from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, figures to make an impact immediately as the Cavs lack depth.

The 6-foot-7-and-a-half (per Tankathon) Windler is already 22 years old, and will be 23 before the start of the 2019-20 season, and was a four-year college player.

A successful rookie year for Windler will mean that he remained healthy and grew as a player in Cleveland head coach John Beilein‘s offensive system. If he can come off the bench and provide scoring and spacing for the Cavs, he’s done his part.

For Windler to have a successful rookie year, he’ll have to do a few key things.

#1: Shoot the three-point shot efficiently

Windler’s greatest strength is his perimeter shooting. He shot the three-pointer at an impressive 42.9% clip his senior campaign, and shot 40.6% during his four years at Belmont (per Sports Reference).

This skill set is so important in today’s NBA and it is a huge reason the Cleveland Cavaliers made Windler a first-round selection.

For Windler to be an effective player, he needs to continue to knock down three-point shots at the NBA level on an efficient clip.

He figures to get open looks in Beilein’s motion and movement offense, and for him to stay on the floor, he’ll need to knock those looks down. This doesn’t mean Windler’s only role or skill is shooting, but it is a huge part of his game.

#2: Move the ball effectively and make quick decisions

As mentioned above, Beilein will emphasize moving the ball. At many times, the Cavs will have two ball-dominant guards on the court at the same time, but not every player can be that way.

Garland and Sexton will need to learn to play with each other and move the ball. It is important to not “ball stopping” be too prevalent.

When the ball is kicked to Windler, he’ll have a decision to make on whether to shoot, drive or pass. Generally, it is said that a player should know what they’re doing within two dribbles.

It will be important, especially for Windler, to make quick decisions with the ball.

On a young team, black holes can stunt team growth.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have multiple young guys playing big roles, and sharing the ball will be key, and as the elder statesman of the young guys, look for Windler to lead by example.

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#3: Rebound his position

Windler is not just a shooter.

He averaged 10.8 boards per night his senior campaign, had 7.8 per game in his collegiate career, and led the Ohio Valley Conference in total rebounds his last two seasons (per Sports Reference).

The Cavs will no doubt play Windler at the power forward in some lineups when they go small. It will be imperative for Windler to play big and crash the boards, and there is no reason to suspect he won’t.

For reference, Windler’s total rebounding percentage of 17.7% in 2018-19 was higher than that of Florida State’s Mfiondu Kabangele (15.8%, and both per Sports Reference), a more traditional power forward and even center, really, who was selected one pick after Windler by the Los Angeles Clippers, in a reported trade with the Brooklyn Nets (per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski).

Windler is a complete player and rebounding the basketball was a huge part of his game in college. Rebounding is mostly about positional awareness and effort, both of which are a strong suit for Windler, so expect the Cleveland Cavaliers rookie to crash the boards hard from day one.

Overall, Windler figures to be an instant contributor. He is an extremely accomplished college player who will likely start out as a bench man for the Cavs.

Moreover, for him to carve out a spot in the rotation consistently, he will need to shoot effectively right away, as well as move the ball and crash the boards.