What Dylan Windler reportedly being done for season means for Cavs

Cleveland could look to add a developmental wing via trade/the draft

Considering the Cleveland Cavaliers still have four expiring contract players in Tristan Thompson, John Henson, Matthew Dellavedova and Brandon Knight, along with the situation involving Love, you’d think a few trades should come in the next few weeks.

Cleveland general manager Koby Altman and the organization are undoubtedly in asset accumulation mode, and owner Dan Gilbert has shown he’s more than willing to take on bad contract money if future draft capital/developmental pieces come along via trade/potential three-team trade.

Windler appeared to have the makings of a viable wing option going into this season as the Cavs’ draft selection they acquired in a reported deadline deal last year from Houston in what was a three-team trade that also involved the Sacramento Kings.

However, factoring in that it’s uncertain how Windler will shake out as a Cavalier, given him missing this entire season, and with Porter sidelined for a good while, I could see the Cavs looking to add another developmental wing/small-ball 4 near the deadline, or perhaps if the team can acquire another lower first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft via trade.

Cleveland in the short-term have Alfonzo McKinnie, who has actually played the 4 mostly for them, and he’s given them some productive energy minutes as a rebounder/cutter, but he’s currently playing out a 10-day contract, along with previous two-way man Tyler Cook. Basketball Insiders’ Spencer Davies hit on how Cleveland could sign both to 10-days again following that, but can not do so again for them, in particular, again this season.

Anyway, it’s unclear whether the Cavaliers would want to feasibly sign the 27-year-old McKinnie, a realistic reserve 3 option that was one point reportedly waived, to a rest-of-season deal if he maybe played out a second 10-day deal.

Minus Windler, and with the way the league is at this point, I’d think the Cavs could at least look to add another younger wing via two-way deal by the January 15 two-way deadline, as they reportedly waived one of their prior two-way’s in Levi Randolph, or perhaps could look to add a developmental wing via trade and/or look to add one if they acquire a lower first-round pick via trade in the upcoming draft.

Ideally, a defensive-minded wing with some plus length would make sense in that realm.

Moreover, I hope Windler recovers from this injury in due time for his and the Cavs’ sake. He could really bring a high quality spacing, cutting, passing and also rebounding element to Cleveland in coming years if he can be on the healthier side.

For now, my fingers are crossed for him.