Potential role #2: Backup small forward
Coming off the bench, there could be a logjam that the Cavs will have to figure out IF Cedi were to be placed in a reserve role. With Kevin Porter Jr. showing massive potential and Dylan Windler, the 26th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, set to come back from injury, there aren’t many minutes to go around.
This situation could go a lot smoother than many may think though, as Porter Jr. is best played at the shooting guard position and Windler COULD find much success as a power forward in the NBA with his 6-foot-6 size and shooting.
Coming off the bench may be a great move for the team and Osman as he would then be going against lesser talent thus, his play should be better. Hypothetically speaking, a bench lineup of Dante Exum-Porter Jr.-Osman-Windler-Larry Nance Jr. is quite small but, this lineup possesses great versatility as all of these players have the ability to guard multiple positions.
Lastly, considering that Porter Jr. could be the sixth man of this team next season, the bench lineup shown above gives Porter the best opportunity for success. Replacing Alfonzo McKinnie with Osman as the backup small forward adds a much-needed shooter to the bench as well as gives the bench another ball-handler/potential facilitator, in theory, depending on if Cedi improves in that area or not.
When detailing what Avdija could bring for the Cavs and specifically, hitting on the players that he would help the most, I highlighted just how much better Porter Jr. plays when alongside a knockdown shooter such as Osman, as opposed to someone like McKinnie.
The difference was essentially night and day and that looks to be based on the fact that it allows Porter Jr. more space to operate. KPJ is an iso-heavy player and his handle, as well as his athletic ability, means that he possesses the ability to blow by defenders. Not only would having a near-40.0 percent three-point shooter mean that an opponent cannot help off without suffering consequences but, Osman could also be seen as a “bail-out” option.
Osman has been great in late shot clock situations during this year, too, as he is shooting 40.6% on three-point shots when the shot clock has been between four-seven seconds left on it.