Cavs: Dylan Windler should be key target for Matthew Dellavedova

The Cleveland Cavaliers have not Matthew Dellavedova in game action yet this season, and that’s been because of having had his share of complications involving a serious concussion he suffered back on Dec. 12 in preseason.

Dellavedova has had other concussions in his career, and it was previously reported by The Athletic‘s Kelsey Russo and Joe Vardon (subscription required) that Dellavedova may end up having to retire due to concussion symptoms and him not having been able to ramp up his workouts, in relation to that.

Shortly thereafter, though, Delly did end up expressing how he wasn’t considering retirement at all, and did make progress individually regarding his workouts. Albeit in another tough set of circumstances for Dellavedova this season, he had his appendix removed a few weeks back, which was yet another tough ailment for him.

It appears, though, even while Delly does not have a timetable for a return currently, in the concussion recovery realm, that Dellavedova could possibly be back in Cleveland’s second half opener at the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

That could be wishful thinking, anyhow, but Delly has not been on the sidelines in the last handful of games for Cleveland of the first half, and Larry Nance Jr. (fractured left hand), is reportedly expected to be back on Friday. And as a side note, though there is reported trade interest in Nance, the Cavs don’t seem at all interested in dealing him, nor should they.

Kevin Love, while trade rumors will seemingly be there involving him leading up to the March 25 deadline as well, it wouldn’t appear that he’ll end up being moved. But he seems on track for a return fairly soon, too, anyway; Love’s been sidelined since Dec. 27 from a high-grade right calf strain/aggravation of that.

In any case, circling back to Dellavedova, with Darius Garland seemingly banged up right now in relation to a left groin strain, albeit we’ll have to see if he’ll miss any time, Cleveland could use Dellavedova in spurts a bit. That’s regardless, really, as though a potential Tomas Satoransky trade acquisition could aid Garland, or Frank Ntilikina, for instance, Dellavedova seemingly progressing is encouraging either way.

I wouldn’t expect Delly, when he is ultimately back, to play a ton of minutes, but Cleveland could use his playmaking abilities in spurts to spell Garland, and feasibly aid Collin Sexton some. Nance’s playmaking feel should help when he’s back, too.

With Dellavedova, though his shot last season with a reworked motion didn’t realistically aid him, as he shot a by far career-worst 23.1 percent from three-point range and had only 7.8 points per-36 minutes, he still did have a near-career-best 7.9 assists per-36 minutes.

And in spurts for Cleveland, one player I believe that could really benefit from Delly’s vision/passing feel is Dylan Windler, and Delly I’d think could find him often in their instances together.

Windler should be a key target for Dellavedova, when he’s back for the Cavs.

Windler has had his ups and downs as a shooter, admittedly, but he did recently have a two-game stretch versus the Atlanta Hawks and then Houston Rockets when he hit nine straight three-point attempts, and he’s seemingly had more opportunities off movement of late.

Granted, Windler has unfortunately missed his last eight three-point attempts, but considering he missed all of 2019-20 due to a stress reaction in his left leg, and missed a 13-game span early this season with a fractured left hand, some lumps are inevitable.

Albeit for Windler, he has been a great finisher off of cuts, and has looked to have nice touch on push shots with both hands to counter hard closeouts. And with his capabilities off movement, and in spurts with Dellavedova’s passing abilities, I’d imagine Dylan will be a key target for Delly.

The likes of Kevin Love, if/when he’s back, and Sexton one would think would have their share of deliveries from Delly as shooters in instances with him, and Jarrett Allen should mesh well with him in the lob throwing realm, one would think. But from a reserve sense, I could very well see Windler and Delly having a nice rapport even early on.

Delly has always hit cutters on-point, in regards to his timing/ability to hit those looks in settled offense, and also secondary transition, and Windler, often via cuts, should again be a key target for the veteran point guard in that way.

Windler times up his baseline/diagonal cuts effectively, and while Dellavedova, if/when he’s back, is more than capable of hitting a number of players, I could definitely foresee Windler meshing with him, given the movement, especially well.

Hopefully Dellavedova can get himself right and be back available reasonably soon post-All-Star break.