Cavs: Best and worst-case scenarios for Dylan Windler in 2021-22

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Cleveland Cavaliers wing Dylan Windler looks to shoot on the interior. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Heading into this season, it’s safe to say that Dylan Windler needs to prove himself for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Simply put, we haven’t seen Windler in action enough to truly know what Cleveland has with him in rotational minutes.

He missed all of his rookie campaign in 2019-20 because of a stress fracture in his lower left leg, and in his de facto rookie year in 2020-21, he was active in just 31 games. It was a condensed/COVID-19-affected season, sure, but Windler couldn’t stay available then often enough, either.

His last year was ultimately cut short due to injury as well, as he had surgery in late April to address “ongoing tendinopathy concerns” in his left knee.

On a positive note, per a report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor over the weekend, Windler had been a regular participant in the weeks leading into training camp in voluntary scrimmaging, and his knee is “feeling good,” so he seems squared away in camp.

Fedor would then in that report/response to a mailbag question stress that Windler “could be in line for a prominent role – if he stays healthy.”

The latter part of that statement is the crucial aspect for Windler’s outlook this upcoming season for the Wine and Gold, though, as fans are well aware at this juncture.

Windler is a player that I believe can very well be a meaningful contributor for the Cavaliers next season and looking onward, given that he knocked in 40.6 percent of his 534 three-point attempts in a four-year collegiate career at Belmont.

Last season, we didn’t see the capabilities materialize, due to the injury issues/seemingly a lack of rhythm overall. He shot 33.8 percent from three-point range and had 5.2 points per game in an average of 16.5 minutes.

I do still think that the range is there, and if he can remain available most of this coming season, he can make his presence felt for Cleveland’s rotation, though. Plus, his rebounding, cutting/finishing and team defensive feel were positives when Windler was in there last season.

That said, when it comes to this 2021-22 campaign for him, what might a best, and on the flip side, worst-case scenario look like?

We’ll hit on both of those here for the Cavs third-year wing as he looks to establish himself for the team.

First, we’ll examine a potential best-case scenario.