Cavs: 3 goals for Cedi Osman for post-All-Star break

Post All-Star break goal #3: Average 2.0 deflections/game, have defensive rating of 113.0 or better

As I hit on before, Osman has often struggled in primary defense against starting caliber 3’s. His limited lateral quickness against top wings, coupled with Cleveland’s lack of rim protection before Drummond was acquired led to Osman being in improper position way too much.

Again, though, I would think that with Osman playing mostly with the 6-foot-10, 279-pound Drummond the rest of the way, who is eighth in the NBA in total blocks, per Basketball Reference, it should enable Cedi to be more fundamentally sound with his position. That relates to him getting to back to his primary on-ball matchups better.

In turn, Osman should be able to wall off drivers and contest pull-ups better, again, with Drummond’s presence on the interior.

While I get that a goal of a defensive rating of 113.0 or better isn’t an earth-shattering one, it would show growth likely with rim protection on the floor with Osman. His defensive rating this season is 115.4, according to NBA.com.

The Cavs’ team defensive rating is 115.1, which is 29th in the league, to contextualize, and Osman hasn’t really helped that, but nor have the likes of Garland, Sexton, Kevin Love and several others.

On the bright side, Osman has gotten better at navigating through off-ball screens to contest this season in an under control manner more often, and he’s been an active helper that has led to him deterring some spots and at least forcing extra passes. Also, at this juncture, Osman’s averaged 1.9 deflections per game, according to NBA.com’s player tracking data, which is a solid amount.

So again, if Cedi can improve and at least have more favorable position to make opponents work and keep them off the line post-All-Star break for the most part, that should cause less breakdowns from a team standpoint.

In addition, with Osman’s ability to finish and make on-point passes in transition, good contests/timely deflections should lead to run-outs for him and others, such as Porter or Sexton, to be on the finishing end of. This hustle play and aiding of Love paid off on the other end, where Osman threw a fantastic pass to KPJ.

Anyway, while I know Osman doesn’t generally blow doors off with his production, I believe he still should start through the end of the 2019-20 campaign. Porter is a much smaller option at the 3 at only 6-foot-4 and 203 pounds compared to Osman being at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, and KPJ is still just 19.

That results in him turning it over far too much and that’s even while playing against reserves a considerable amount, and as a shooter (not a driver), he’s struggled mightily. He has so much promise with his athleticism and handle, though, and him potentially starting at the 2 next year over Sexton I could be on board with, also because of him being a much better defensive option that would add considerably more playmaking ability and Sexton could feast as a bench scorer, too.

Meanwhile, while I’m a big fan of Alfonzo McKinnie as an energy guy and have been impressed by his finishing ability as a cutter and by his defensive prowess matched up against multiple positions, he’s a complete non floor spacer and can’t create for himself or others much. Therefore, he is not a viable starting option.

Along with that, Dylan Windler is unfortunately not available at all this season, due to complications involving the reported stress reaction in his lower left leg.

Now, could the Cleveland Cavaliers draft a 3 high in the 2020 NBA Draft, such as Deni Avidja of Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League or Isaac Okoro of Auburn?

Yes, they definitely could, but at this point, I’d still hope that Osman starts the rest of this season.

He’s continued to show growth and I still believe he’s a piece that should help Cleveland in coming years as they continue on in their rebuild, and I’m sure would be fine with a bench role with him being an outstanding teammate.