It’s seemingly a good possibility based on recent reports that Cleveland Cavaliers big John Henson could make his debut for Cleveland on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. Even if he does play, though, not much should be expected from him.
It’s been a tough go for big man John Henson since he was traded (along with veteran Matthew Dellavedova) to the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Milwaukee Bucks during the early part of the 2018-19 season.
Due to a reported torn ligament in his left wrist, Henson was unfortunately not able to play at all with Cleveland last season, and with the Cavs clearly having a rebuilding focus, part of the reason for that could’ve realistically been precaution.
I can’t blame Cleveland, the medical staff and/or Henson for that, either.
What was even tougher for Henson was that wasn’t able to play for the Wine and Gold in the preseason at all, either, due to a reported right groin strain and ankle sprain.
Now, though, it appears that Henson could finally make his debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday in the team’s 2019-20 home opener.
According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, there is “growing optimism” that Henson could be available for Cleveland head coach John Beilein and the team against the Indiana Pacers.
Hearing there is growing optimism about #Cavs John Henson being available tomorrow night against Indiana. John Beilein should have more soon.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) October 25, 2019
Basketball Insiders’ Spencer Davies, did note that per Beilein, Henson is for now “questionable” against Indiana, but Davies also hit on how Henson ‘went live”‘ (assuming he transcribed Beilein).
John Henson "went live" in practice today. Beilein says the #Cavs big man is questionable for tomorrow night vs. Pacers.
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) October 25, 2019
If Henson is able to go, that would be really good to see for the 28-year-old Henson himself, because I’m sure the lack of playing for Cleveland has been so hard for him, and it could give the Cavs, and likely Tristan Thompson, a lift.
Henson reportedly impressed in training camp when he was able to be full-go in team scrimmages, and for Cleveland’s bench, Henson could bring some rotational rim protection if he’s healthier.
The 6-foot-9 Henson has averaged a solid 1.5 blocks in 20.1 minutes per game in his career (per Basketball Reference), and he has a monstrous 7-foot-6 wingspan.
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Against the likes of Indiana bigs Domantas Sabonis, who signed a four-year, $77 million contract extension this week (as was reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium), and Myles Turner feasibly in stretches, Henson could help deter shots near the rim and prevent lobs to some degree.
He could theoretically also alter some interior shots from a few new Indy guards this year in Malcolm Brogdon (who was acquired via sign-and-trade this offseason from the Bucks), Jeremy Lamb and rotational point man T.J. McConnell (the last two acquired via free agency), among others.
For the record, Pacers star guard Victor Oladipo is still not back from his reported right quad tendon rupture yet, though.
Nonetheless, considering Henson only appeared in 14 games last season, even if he can play against the Pacers, not much should be expected from him.
Even if he is able to go, I could see Henson maybe playing 12-13 minutes or so, and though he did flash some floor spacing ability with Milwaukee in a small sample size last season, as he shot 35.5% from three-point range on 2.2 attempts per contest (per Basketball Reference), I wouldn’t think Henson would be jacking up deep balls.
He’s attempted just 44 three-pointers in six-plus NBA seasons, and made 12, equating to a career 27.3% clip. That being said, if he’s in there and on the healthier side, Henson could still be an effective screener on-ball for pieces such as rookie guard Darius Garland, Dellavedova, and rookie wing Kevin Porter Jr.
Plus, Henson could maybe work as a flare screener for Cleveland star big Kevin Love on occasion, who hopefully is more aggressive on Saturday than he was in the 2019-20 season opener at the Orlando Magic, where he had only nine shot attempts (of which he made four) and had only one three-point attempt (per ESPN).
Moreover, it’s understandable if Henson looks somewhat out-of-sync on the floor if he is able to go some. It’s been a while since he’s played, and he will take some time to be acclimated to other pieces around him in meaningful minutes.
So, again, even if Henson is able to go and plays some rotational minutes, don’t expect huge minutes-share and a double-double in his first game with the Cleveland Cavaliers.