Cavs: 2 realistic expectations for Kevin Porter Jr. next season

#1: KPJ is featured early and often as a Cavs key bench scorer/playmaker

I’d still expect Porter to be mostly a bench player for the Wine and Gold, but him playing over half of games, anyhow, is going to be the play in most instances. But in KPJ’s minutes-share, based on how he came on as last season progressed, he could be a go-to option offensively for stretches.

Porter reportedly working on his range and having a bit higher shooting release could make him even more dangerous as a driver, also. Granted, KPJ having an effective field goal shooting clip of 34.0 percent, per NBA.com’s shot tracking data, was less than ideal as a rookie, but he’s more than capable of having a considerable improvement in that area, I believe.

Nonetheless, with him feasibly getting more burn next season, I would be the least bit shocked if KPJ led Cleveland in bench scoring in 2020-21. And getting Porter heavily involved early on in his second campaign would get him going, too, and I’d think will.

Along with that, though, with him seemingly set for getting to run the 1 at times for stretches and/or fill a de facto lead playmaking role, I’d expect Porter to initiate his share of offense. Others such as Collin Sexton, Larry Nance Jr., Dylan Windler and Kevin Love should get opportunities for catch-and-shoots/cutting/dump-off looks from Porter game-to-game.

KPJ had a solid 14.7 percent assist rate in 2019-20, and in his last 12 games active, had a 17.1 assist rate.

So, to me, I’d expect Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who recognizes Porter’s passing is one of his key strengths, and the Cavs coaching staff to let him make things happen often throughout games next season. Porter should be one of Cleveland’s key offensive initiators and have an expanded role both as a scorer and passer in 2020-21.

Now, we’ll move on to the second realistic expectation for Porter for year 2.