Lack of minutes for Cavs of late is telling for Dylan Windler

Where do the minutes for Windler come from regularly?

As we’ve stressed, with guys such as Markkanen and Lamar Stevens, from a situational defensive perspective, back in the fold, those are guys that affect Windler’s outlook.

Markkanen, who has been offensively a de facto 3, is clearly a crucial offensive player for Cleveland, and he has been in a nice groove, for the most part, since he’s been back. He’s had 17.2 points per game in his last five outings, and has shot 39.5 percent from deep.

Stevens, meanwhile, is not much of an offensive presence, but he’s a more than capable and versatile defender for spurts, and is a physical player at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds. Before missing five games due to an ankle sprain, he would get some looks for his work in on-ball defense.

We’ll again have to see in regards to Osman and Wade’s injuries, but upon their return, they’ll likely receive their share of rotational minutes, well at least Osman. Wade is a quality defender, too, and displayed that in games starting his share of outings with Markkanen out. I always hold my breath with Osman, given his history of inconsistent play; although I have to admit, he’s been getting it done in his new, defined role.

And lastly, we know that Ricky Rubio and Isaac Okoro will get their share of playing time with Darius Garland, at the 2 in Okoro’s case, and as a combo guard with Garland, in Rubio’s case.

So, the gyst here is, to me, the lack of minutes for him of late are telling for the third-year wing in Windler. Perhaps the 25-year-old still can carve out a role with this Cavaliers team, and I still believe he can be a meaningful contributor, given his shooting potential, provided he can remain healthy.

It’s just getting more and more difficult to be hopeful when it comes to that for him with this Cavs team, and maybe Windler ends up being a player involved in a trade package down the road.