Matthew Dellavedova could give Cavs a boost in spurts upon return

We have not seen Matthew Dellavedova in game action for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Dellavedova suffered a serious concussion in Cleveland’s first preseason game on Dec. 12 versus the Indiana Pacers, and because of him previously enduring other concussions in his career, he was still suffering concussion-related symptoms from that last one.

According to a report previously from The Athletic‘s Kelsey Russo and Joe Vardon (subscription required), Dellavedova was not able to start ramping up his workouts to seemingly get back into game shape. And per that Russo and Vardon report, Dellavedova may end up having to retire due to the continued struggles/symptoms, it appeared.

Shortly thereafter, though, Dellavedova tweeted out that retirement is not at all “on my mind” and this was a “temporary setback,” and that he was essentially pumped to get back to help the Cavs.

Furthermore, Dellavedova tweeted this out last week, which was in relation to him getting work in at the Cavaliers practice facility, which was an encouraging sign.

Regarding a further update, Dellavedova’s been able to work out, per Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and via Basketballnews.com’s Spencer Davies on Wednesday. Delly ended up watching Cleveland’s Wednesday practice, but him seemingly progressing individually, in relation to that report from earlier this month leads me to believe we’ll see him in spurts eventually. Albeit there’s no timetable.

Again, we’ll have to see if/when Dellavedova can be back at some point, as concussions/head injuries are tricky. Delly, per the above tweet, did note that he did think his ailment(s) have been “more neck related,” though.

Delly could give the Cavs a boost in spurts upon his return, too.

Dellavedova is not a dude that, when he does come back, or if, would be an every night-type of contributor. That wasn’t the case last season, and Delly’s reworked shot last season failed him, as he, frankly, couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.

He hit a ghastly 23.1 percent of his three-point attempts, by far and away a career-low, and his effective field goal shooting clip was just 41.4 percent. It’s unclear if he would be able to return to having some spot-up viability, if/when a return would be in store for him and if the opportunities were to arise.

That said, Dellavedova, in spot minutes/a few spurts here and there in games, could help out Darius Garland/Collin Sexton in the playmaking realm. Delly again would be, as he seemingly was mostly last season, more of a behind-the-scenes mentor-type for Garland/Sexton, and perhaps has still been, but in spurts, could still get the ball hopping and aid the Cavs in creating open catch-and-shoot looks.

The passing vision has always been there for Delly, and his timing has led to plenty of lobs/dump-offs over the years, to former teammate Tristan Thompson and Larry Nance Jr. I’d think later on in the season. Nance is of course set to be sidelined still for a while yet due to a fractured left hand, though.

Dellavedova is a guy that has had his share of spray-outs to shooters, too, and if/when he were to come back, he could help Sexton at times play more off-ball/as a spot-up threat, and the likes of Isaac Okoro could get some back door looks from Delly, along with Cedi Osman/Dylan Windler some.

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Dellavedova, although his role wasn’t nearly what it was in 2018-19 with Cleveland after he came back via trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, still did have a near-career-best with 7.9 assists-per-36 minutes last season.

When he was thrust into a more prominent role leading into what would be the closing stretch of the season, partly due to Garland being banged up, Delly also was second on the Cavs with 4.8 assists per contest in their last 15 games.

Anyhow, we’ll have to see when Delly is back/if, and the Cavs could feasibly bring back a reserve point guard in a potential Andre Drummond trade, and in regards to possible/reported suitors, you can view those here and also here.

The New York Knicks, who reportedly have interest in Drummond, per Evan Dammarell of Forbes and Fear The Sword, could maybe send back Frank Ntilikina, for example, as part of a package in that realm, for one.

In any case, whether or not another reserve point guard were to be acquired at some point, or perhaps signed post-potential Drummond trade, if Delly were to be end up being able to go, he could give the Cavs a playmaking boost upon his return.

And defensively, in the team sense, Dellavedova still is competent in that realm, for what it’s worth.

Moreover, hopefully Delly can get himself right, as Cleveland could, frankly, use some reserve primary playmaking help, even for spurts.

I do give Damyean Dotson his credit for filling in pretty well in some burn there at a non-natural position for him due to prior injuries for Cleveland, in particular, though.