At this point, it’s evident that Cedi Osman is not, long-term, a starting player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Albeit in a spot starting sense, it’s alright to have him here and there in that role.
That said, Osman should project as a nice rotational wing piece to have for the Cavs, and when Cleveland is healthier, involving Darius Garland (right shoulder sprain), which could maybe be Friday, even, I’d expect Osman to be a bench contributor. That’s, frankly, more ideal, anyhow.
Osman has had his struggles defensively against starting caliber wings, and Isaac Okoro, who has been back healthier, is far better suited to handle starting 3’s/key on-ball wing threats, by and large. Albeit the two can play spurts/at times stretches needed together, though, and have to this point.
Nonetheless, while Osman’s shooting/scoring has been up and down, particularly from the perimeter, he’s had some nice moments as a scorer lately, and matched his season-high in back-to-back games at 25 points. Those were both in wins, too.
Granted, Osman has had an underwhelming true shooting rate of 49.9 percent overall, but again when he’s back more so in a bench role, that should go up, and with the playmaking of Garland back in the fold.
But either way, I do have to give Cedi his share of credit for one area of his game that’s paid dividends for the Wine and Gold.
Playmaking has been the constant regarding Osman for the Cavs.
Osman’s playmaking has aided the Cavs’ efforts, especially with Garland not having been available for the last eight games. I give Larry Nance Jr., who is tied with Osman for third on Cleveland, in assists per contest with Cedi at 3.9, but even more with Collin Sexton (left ankle sprain) banged up, his credit overall, too.
Damyean Dotson, similarly to Nance, has stepped up in that realm, also. And though I’m not going to grill players for it completely with the injury bug, Osman, Nance and Dotson have had only 1.6, 1.9 and 1.2 turnovers per outing in doing so.
Highlighting Osman here, though, his feel for getting others involved in has aided the likes of a variety of pieces. Sexton, when he’s been in there, Nance, Andre Drummond, Isaac Okoro some, along with JaVale McGee and Dotson, for instance, come to mind.
In that realm, even amid him having season-highs in scoring with those 25 points in back-to-back W’s, Osman also five and seven assists as well.
I’m going to give Osman somewhat of a pass shooting-wise thus far this season (a three-point shooting clip of 33.7 percent), with how the Cavs’ injury situation has been, to clear that up, anyhow. Albeit the constant with Cedi has again been his passing impact; he’s second among Cavs that would really qualify in assist rate at 19.5 percent.
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That’s helped the Cavaliers, even with them having missed so many key pieces, get more open looks, and whether or not those have fallen, I have to give him his share of credit for affecting outings game-to-game when the Cavs have really needed it.
The same goes for Andre Drummond, who has killed it so far with 18.8 points, and a league-leading 15.1 rebounds per game, and of whom has been a huge reason the Cavs are second in defensive rating. That’s along with Nance, Okoro and Dotson, for instance.
Although with the arrivial of Allen, considering recent rumors/reports, one would think Drummond could seemingly be moved by the trade deadline.
Anyway, with Osman, while we’ll likely see him more so in a floor spacer role when Garland is back in the fold and he’s in off the bench, Cedi will still help initiate productive ball movement.
And I’d think, particularly against bench pieces, we should still see Osman create some for others in the pick-and-roll secondary playmaking realm, which has had some nice success in stretches. Allen, who has placed in the 86th percentile this season as a roll man scorer, per Synergy Sports, should aid Cedi in the PnR sense, too.
Moreover, even though Osman’s had his rough moments as a shooter, while again he’s more suited as a bench player, and the defense isn’t ideal, his playmaking has definitely helped the Cavs in their efforts game-to-game.
That’s been an encouraging sign, and Dylan Windler, who should seemingly be back on Friday as he’s reportedly recovered from his left hand fracture, to go with Allen again and Prince, should help Osman as a passer as well.