Cavs: B/R’s suggested FA target Wes Iwundu could impact winning

Iwundu’s defensive capabilities could help the Cavs team defense

The 6-foot-6 Iwundu would give Cleveland an addition of a high level wing defender, and he could fit in in considerable stretches well at the 2 and 3, with backcourt a number of players such as Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Kevin Porter Jr., realistically Cedi Osman still and/or Dylan Windler.

Iwundu’s on-ball defensive chops enable him to shut off drivers, get skinny in pick-and-roll coverage, and his 7-foot-1 wingspan aids him in a big way in contests of pull-up/off-screen/catch-and-shoot threats.

Iwundu placing in the 89th percentile in pick-and-roll ball handling coverage and in the 79th percentile in primary defense of spot-ups, both per Synergy Sports, indicates further drives home how Iwundu is a very gifted defender both on-ball/as a rotator, too. His instincts shouldn’t be discounted in that sense, either.

And for a Cavs defense that has finished dead last in the NBA in defensive rating the past two seasons, a high level defensive wing could help Cleveland’s young core throughout key stretches of games.

From my perspective, that from Iwundu could impact winning for the Cavaliers, who are largely devoid of good wing defenders, of which Osman has had his share of issues against starting caliber wings.

So how about on the offensive end, then? Iwundu could be a solid catch-and-shoot player and benefit from ball-swings/drive-and-kicks to him.