Cavaliers: Two bold predictions for Dylan Windler for 2020-21

Bold prediction #2 for Windler: He will eventually start at the 3 for the Cleveland Cavaliers

The second bold prediction I have for Dylan Windler in the upcoming 2020-21 season is that he will start at the 3 at some point.

With a total of 128 collegiate games played, Windler again averaged 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The 6-foot-6 rookie out of Belmont definitely has what it takes to play a starting role with the Cavaliers at some point.

He is also progressing well in his recovery from his injury, per a report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, who noted how last summer, some within the Cavs organization were wondering if Windler could “displace Cedi Osman as the starting small forward within months.”

It would seem pretty bold for Windler to eventually start next season, though, given him not playing in 2019-20 for the Cavs and lack of team practice reps for so long to this point because of social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19.

Albeit the young wing has shown himself to be a highly capable finisher during his collegiate years, and as Cavs fans we hope he can make a return to form during the upcoming season. With his track record, Dylan Windler has the potential to be one of Cleveland’s best shooters of the near future, and frankly has more on-ball potential/pull-up ability than Cedi Osman.

Windler would fit seamlessly in a starting lineup featuring himself, along with Garland and Sexton holding down the backcourt, or at some point down the road with Kevin Porter Jr. potentially at the 2 with Sexton as the starting 1 of sorts. Meanwhile Kevin Love and Andre Drummond, who fully intends to pick up his $28.8 million player option for 2020-21, would make up Cleveland’s frontcourt.

I believe Windler would mesh especially well with Drummond, in particular, and whose team defensive instincts could aid the young sharpshooting threat. Drummond’s interior offensive and screening presence would definitely mix well with a natural catch-and-shoot talent like Windler, too, as KJG’s also hit on.

Windler would surely do some damage with this starting lineup (which again could feature Sexton-KPJ eventually), especially when it comes to scoring off the ball, given his talent as a catch-and-shoot threat.

Windler’s pull-up, off-movement and cutting/finishing abilities could make an upgrade over Osman, but again, we’ll have to see if Windler can eventually start at some point next season and be mostly healthy.