Cavs: Evaluating 3 deep reserves pressed into service

The Cleveland Cavaliers have not had smooth sailing these last few weeks, dealing instead with a growing list of players unavailable for health reasons, be that injury or sickness. They overcame those absences for a strong 9-5 start, but eventually the losses piled too high and the Cavs now ride a three-game losing streak.

Some reinforcements are coming. Kevin Love returned on Wednesday night to a minutes restriction, and the team expects Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen to return for their next game Monday night. Evan Mobley is progressing is in his rehab. Collin Sexton is not returning for the entire season, but at least there is clarity now for his situation.

The Cavs have been riddled with injuries, forcing players outside the rotation into the lineup. How have these deep reserves performed?

With players returning, the lineup will begin to settle back to something approximating normal. Players who stepped up to fill the void will see their roles reduced or eliminated. That makes this the right time to evaluate what we saw from those “deep reserves” and what their role might be moving forward.

Let’s start with two players who will almost certainly be relegated back to the bench for games; how did Denzel Valentine and Ed Davis do in their call-ups? Then we’ll end with one player who began the year outside of the rotation due to a numbers game but has played very well filling in; will Dean Wade find a way to stick around?