King James Gospel
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A potential lineup that could really push the pace for the Cavs

By Dan Gilinsky

Cleveland Cavaliers wing Kevin Porter Jr. (left) and Cleveland guard Collin Sexton celebrate in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers wing Kevin Porter Jr. (left) and Cleveland guard Collin Sexton celebrate in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Larry Nance Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. high-fives Cleveland guard Collin Sexton in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Here’s how this group would go about getting transition looks often for the Cleveland Cavaliers

In terms of the backcourt, Sexton and Porter again are always dangerous in the open floor, and especially in Porter’s case, with his passing feel, he could feed Sexton in stride sprinting down on the wing for easy buckets.

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Those two youngsters, who are both speedy and are capable of generating their own offense in a variety of ways, were 1 and 3 in transition points per game on Cleveland in 2019-20, per NBA.com.

Keep in mind, Porter, who played 23.2 minutes per game, was just 0.1 transition points per game behind Cedi Osman, who played 29.4 minutes per outing. I’d expect Porter to be playing more than that minutes-share in 2020-21, for context.

So how would Windler fit into this?

Yes I know, Windler did not play in 2019-20 due to complications involving a stress reaction in his left leg, but he’s reportedly progressing well in his recovery, and should seemingly be just fine next season. Perhaps Windler could get some burn if the Cavs have a handful of Summer League-like games in a second “bubble” for non-Orlando teams.

That/mini-training camps in Chicago could reportedly play out in September, but that’s anything but set-in-stone it seems, given COVID-19 concerns.

Next season, it’ll take Windler some time to adjust, though, sure.

However, when he gets his legs under him, I believe with his handle, shooting ability, including off of movement, and his terrific cutting feel/finishing, that’d he fit in seamlessly in a lineup that’d really push the pace when that’s there.

Windler, who shot 42.9 percent from three-point land on 7.1 attempts per outing as a senior at Belmont, flying to the corner in transition would fit in seamlessly with the driving threats of Sexton and KPJ. Him at least doing so could help open up lanes to the basket for those other two, along with Nance if he’s down the floor.

Windler, who averaged 7.8 rebounds per outing in a four-year collegiate career, per Sports Reference, and has quality timing, is fully capable of bringing the ball down quickly as well.

Throughout games with his tight handle, I also believe in instances he could potentially get switched on to bigs at times in secondary transition, that Windler would be able to feast in those situations with pullbacks and stepbacks, in particular.

If guards were on him, conversely, Windler’s 6-foot-6 height and quick release would enable him to shoot quality looks over them, also, or allow Windler to whip the ball to a cutting KPJ/Sexton.

So how would Onyeka Okongwu, a 2020 NBA Draft prospect out of USC, fit into this, then?

Okongwu, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound 4/5, put up 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in his lone collegiate season, and though he’s a stout presence inside, he gets up and down especially well for a big.

Okongwu is a great athlete, and similarly to Nance, thrives in the open floor and he has both finishing touch with both hands and is a big-time rolling lob threat that converts so well in transition/secondary transition when the opportunities arise.

That includes in straight-line drives as well, where Okongwu is often quicker than opposing bigs guarding him retreating in those situations in early offense, and if Sexton/Porter can find him on those looks, it’d pay dividends in early clock.

What shouldn’t be discounted in regards to Okongwu, though, is while his 1.1-to-2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio didn’t show it, he has very good passing feel for a big, such as is the case with Nance/Kevin Love.

If helpers collapse when defenses are scrambling in transition/secondary transition, Okongwu is more than capable of finding open shooters, such as Windler in the corner or Sexton above the break.

Lastly, this group would be able to get their share of live-ball turnovers.