Cavs: 3 players who must step up with Collin Sexton out for year

Cavs that must step up with Sexton out for the year: #3 – Dylan Windler

With how drastic the need for shooting is and being a former first-round pick, many thought this would be the year the Cavs unleash Dylan Windler. With opportunities arising and Windler healthy to capitalize on those opportunities, it seemed like his time. So far, this hasn’t been the case.

The case of Dylan Windler is a very strange one. Somehow, he’s averaging fewer minutes than last year and hasn’t been given too many opportunities despite the team picking up his team option. Over his last four games, in a combined 53 minutes of action over those games, Windler has attempted just two three-pointers. It’s reasons like that why the Cavs have looked to Denzel Valentine over him in certain situations.

It’s obvious the lack of dribble penetration with Sexton’s absence seems to be affecting Windler so how can the team get him more looks?

An obvious answer would be to have him shoot more off movement. The team has set plays where multiple people touch the ball during possessions and should look to set some plays up that free Windler. Whether it be flare screens, down screens, or anything of that matter, the team has to find ways to get Windler open looks.

In an interview from last season that has been talked about many times, Windler discussed his desire to get more looks off movement rather than being a stationary shooter. It’s beneficial for not only him but as he continues to take and hit those off movement shots, it improves the gravity he pulls as a shooter which opens up the offense even more.

Windler’s lack of opportunities is still quite confusing and one can only hope that this changes as the season goes on.