Cavs: Three players to watch in third 2019-20 game vs. Bucks

#3: John Henson

John Henson was originally a piece, along with Matthew Dellavedova/future draft picks, sent to the Cavs by the Bucks in a three-team deal last season also involving the Washington Wizards.

Henson has barely played with the Cavaliers since that time, due to reported left wrist complications last season, and a reported right hamstring strain kept him sidelined for 17 games after a brief stint in the team’s home opener against the Indiana Pacers.

Do I see the expiring Henson as having much of an impact long-term for Cleveland?

I’d say probably not, given that he’s had so many injury troubles since coming here, and if he can show some rotational shot blocking by the trade deadline for the Cavs, perhaps he could be a piece that can help facilitate a trade, of maybe the three-team variety, where Cleveland gets future draft capital down the road.

That being said, Henson has given the Cavaliers and Beilein some decent minutes to give TT a breather, particularly on the defensive end and as a screener, in recent games.

Henson’s had a solid 1.0 blocks per game in only 12.0 minutes, and in this one, the Cavaliers could use his 7-foot-6 length, in particular, on the defensive interior, whether Giannis is able to go or not.

He also has been a solid offensive rebounder with a clip of 7.8% in his minutes, as noted by NBA.com, and it would come in handy to maybe steal a few extra possessions and/or get a few putbacks when Henson’s in there.

That’s easier said than done, as Milwaukee has the second-best defensive rebounding rate in the league in 2019-20, according to NBA.com, but Henson is capable, and the Cavs will need additional opportunities, given how difficult it could be to penetrate and kickout to get cleaner looks.

Moreover, the Bucks have won 17 straight, are tied for having the league’s best record and have the best defensive rating in the NBA, so energy provided by pieces such as Henson would be a welcome addition for the Wine and Gold.

Maybe Henson playing his former team will give him some extra juice here.

For the record, Milwaukee will be playing a back-to-back, though, so maybe they will sit Antetokounmpo due to precaution.

Nonetheless, the Beilein, Sexton and the Cavaliers will need to be fully locked-in even more in this one on the road against a team that could very well win the NBA championship this season.