Cavs: A recent conversation with Matthew Dellavedova reinforces that he’s key veteran leader

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova is one of the team’s most important players, and a recent conversation with him reinforces that Dellavedova is a key veteran leader for Cleveland.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team that is going to be playing a bunch of youngsters in the 2019-20 season big minutes, and it’s evident that the Cavaliers are primarily focused on their rebuild.

Even with that being the case, though, one of the team’s more important players is still veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova.

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He helps get his teammates in the right positions on the floor on both ends, and when healthy, is the team’s best point-of-attack defender.

Dellavedova, who returned to the Cavaliers due to a trade early last season from the Milwaukee Bucks, had a respectable 7.3 points and 4.2 assists in 19.9 minutes per game with Cleveland last year (per Basketball Reference).

Dellavedova is a heady player, and especially along with fellow veteran guard Brandon Knight, will help rookie guard Darius Garland, who could very well start to begin this season, in his development.

Knight and Dellavedova have reportedly helped Collin Sexton in his development as a young guard, for example, and should do the same for Garland.

With his steady play and great basketball IQ, it’s clear that Dellavedova is an integral piece for Cleveland head coach John Beilein off the bench.

I also hope Delly can recover soon from a reported right thumb sprain so he can help the Cleveland Cavaliers, who begin their season on Oct. 23 at the Orlando Magic.

Anyway, a recent conversation Forbes‘ Evan Dammarell had with Dellavedova reinforced how he’s a key veteran leader, both on and off the floor, for the Cavaliers and Beilein, who is a first-time NBA head coach.

Delly, who is on an expiring contract, and will be set to make $9.6 million this season, touched on how he loves Cleveland in the interview, and wants to be here after this season as well, which is a big plus.

I agree with Dammarell in that if possible on a team-friendly deal, that Delly should definitely be brought back after the 2019-20 season.

Again, Dellavedova’s impact for the Cavs goes beyond just the box score, and this just proves even more so that Delly makes those around him better as a veteran presence that gets his teammates in the right spots (per Dammarell), which for a rebuilding team, is ever important.

"“I’ve always played different roles on different teams. No matter who I was playing with,” shared Dellavedova. “Being a point guard I’ve always been a leader on the floor and nothing has changed this season. I just remain vocal and point things out on offense and defense and directing traffic. All the things I’ve been doing my whole career.”"

For Beilein and the Cavs’ coaching staff, having the 29-year-old Dellavedova bring that in his minutes on the floor means so much to young pieces, such as feasibly Garland, along with rookie wings Kevin Porter Jr. and Dylan Windler.

Dammarell also hit on how Delly’s prior experience playing with LeBron James in Cleveland before and in Milwaukee with Giannis Antetokounmpo has helped him from a leadership standpoint off the floor, too.

"“Throughout his career, Dellavedova has gotten to play alongside LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, both MVP-caliber players that set a precedent for every single one of their teammates. Dellavedova has taken these lessons from his former teammates and applied it to how he’s mentoring the Cavaliers. He’s showing them how to take care of their bodies, especially when it comes to recovery and to put in the time during practice to pay attention to every little detail.So far, it appears Dellavedova’s methods are working and leaving a lasting impression with his younger teammates.”"

The aforementioned Windler, who is in the process of recovering from a reported stress reaction in his left leg, highlighted how Delly has set the right tone for his Cavs teammates.

Here’s what the rookie wing said, as was transcribed by Dammarell.

"“Delly has been very helpful throughout training camp and the preseason,” said Cavaliers rookie forward Dylan Windler. “He is always looking for ways to help other guys get better, whether it’s directing them on the court, in the film room, or even in the locker room and off the floor. He is very attentive in his interactions with guys and is always looking to help. On the floor he is always setting a good example with his decision making and how hard he plays. He is definitely a vet you want on your side going through your first season as a rookie.”"

Hearing that sort of thing from Windler, and with the way that Porter had such high praise for Dellavedova as a playmaker, it’s again, abundantly clear that the Cleveland Cavaliers should try to keep Delly, an NBA champion and such solid player on both ends, around after the 2019-20 season, as Dammarell emphasized.

Dellavedova is such an easy player to love for so many reasons, and I’d think Beilein is especially fond of what he brings, too.

When Delly is in the lineup and healthy, the Cavaliers are so much better off on a nightly basis.

Though Delly could be a valuable addition via trade as a reserve playmaker and point-of-attack defender for contenders, this recent conversation just again shows he’s an integral part of the Cavs.

They have to factor in that a bunch, even in a rebuilding situation.

Dellavedova should be around beyond next season to help further establish a winning culture, as Dammarell harped on.