If the Cleveland Cavaliers have more 2019-20 games, Dylan Windler could reportedly make his debut for them, which would be cool to see.
At this juncture, it seems very likely that the 2019-20 NBA season could very well have some sort of a resumption at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World. From the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ perspective, though, it is unclear if we’ll see more of them in more game action this season.
In terms of possible scenarios for a season resumption, you can view more on that here. The gyst it seems is the league is reportedly considering proceeding going straight to a 16-team postseason format, or having teams reach “a target goal of 72 regular-season games,” prior to the postseason, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski hit on how the Cavs are “eager to play” also.
Plus, per a report from The Ringer’s Kevin O-Connor, the NBA is considering a World Cup-style format featuring group stages and a playoffs plus format could be an option. In terms of other reported updates about medical measures the league is taking/suggestions for a resumption, you can view those here.
What would be cool to see if the Cavs do have more 2019-20 games at Disney, though, is that according to a report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor on Thursday, Dylan Windler could potentially make his debut.
Windler has not played yet for Cleveland due to complications involving a stress reaction in his left leg, and after having surgery to repair that in January, Windler was ruled out for the season.
However, that was before the novel coronavirus-induced NBA season hiatus, and with a resumption likely to begin in late July or even early August, Fedor stated how we could see Windler if Cleveland has a handful more of 2019-20 games.
For Cleveland Cavaliers fans and the squad, it’d be cool to see Windler out there if there are more 2019-20 games, even with him having to get the rust off.
Fedor mentioned how Windler would’ve been on track to play in Summer League, but instead if the Cleveland Cavaliers are participants in Orlando, we could see Windler in regular season play.
"“Sources say Windler is a little more than a month away from returning following surgery on his lower left leg. Because of that timeline, the Cavs were planning to send Windler to Summer League, allowing him to shake off the rust, continue his rehab and work his way back into playing form.Summer League was originally scheduled for July. But with the pandemic and a now-jumbled calendar, Summer League is likely going to be cancelled this year, robbing Windler of a chance to get valuable development reps in a competitive environment. Instead, those reps could come at the end of this regular season.”"
Albeit Fedor would go on to note how the Cavs won’t force anything with Windler and “will be cautious.”
In regards to the safety aspect, Fedor also stressed how the Cavaliers “will talk with every player and ask whether they would like to play before determining their roster.”
Collin Sexton and Larry Nance Jr. would be on board with playing, as Fedor referenced. Again, though, if the Cavs do end up having more 2019-20 games, even with him having to adjust of course, it’d be nice to see Windler have a chance to appear for the Wine and Gold this season.
He’ll have rust and I wouldn’t expect much in this Disney setting this season, but if Windler got a chance at getting some rotational minutes, he could showcase some of his potential.
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In a four-year collegiate career at Belmont, the 6-foot-6 Windler hit 40.6 percent of his three-point attempts, and in his senior season, he had 21.3 points per game and hit 42.9 percent of his deep ball attempts, per Sports Reference.
The smooth shooting lefty is polished in the pull-up game, too, is an ambidextrous finisher, has good secondary playmaking instincts, and next season, I’d imagine could be a good roller/pick-and-pop threat at times throughout games.
Again, though, it’s uncertain whether or not we’ll see more Cleveland Cavaliers game action this season. It’s seemingly far from a certainty if Windler would make his debut if there are more games, in addition.
The possibility of seeing Windler, even with him likely having to shake the rust off, being out there this season for the Cavs would be nice to see, anyhow. We saw a glimpse of his potential as a sharpshooter/secondary playmaker in 2019 Summer League action, and hopefully next season, we’ll see him remain healthy, at least for the vast majority of the year.
The rotational wing could contribute in a variety of ways as a floor spacer for Sexton, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr. and others, along with operate as a pick-and-roll ball handler, and give the Cavs more of an off-movement shooting element, too.
I’d be excited to see Windler on the floor with Matthew Dellavedova as well, who I’d love to see back with Cleveland next season via team-friendly deal.
Plus, Windler, who had 10.8 rebounds per game as a senior, has impressive timing/positional sense as a glass cleaner.