Cedi Osman’s return can give Cavs bench juice on road trip

Some recent injuries and COVID-19-related issues have put the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had been playing really well for much of December, in a bind of late. The Cavaliers had lost three games in a row prior to Sunday’s win over the Indiana Pacers, with both teams shorthanded, particularly Indy, in that one.

The Cavs lost a close one to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, but it was nice to see Darius Garland back in there for Cleveland, as he was out for Cleveland’s past four games because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Hopefully Garland on this upcoming road trip can get himself back playing at a really high level, as he has all season. He was off from three, however, he did still make some things happen on-ball en route to 27 points versus Memphis, and had 10 assists.

To some degree, trade acquisition Rajon Rondo should help provide a playmaking lift for Garland as well in rotational minutes, but as an aside, Cleveland being without Isaac Okoro for roughly 2-3 weeks is a blow for the defense.

I do believe that from a defensive standpoint, and as a driving presence, to some extent, Lamar Stevens can help fill in some for Okoro, though. We just didn’t see that against Memphis much; I still thought some defensive minutes would’ve been sensible down the stretch for Stevens.

In stretches for an offensive lift off the bench in this road trip ahead, it should aid the Cavaliers to seemingly have Cedi Osman back from health and safety protocols, too, from there. He’s missed the past six contests, but is reportedly close to being cleared, and I’d imagine should get his share of opportunities in several games in this upcoming six-game roadie.

Osman’s return can give the Cavs bench some juice on this Western road trip.

I’ve been critical of Osman in recent seasons, as even when he hit 38.3 percent of his three-point attempts in 2019-20, a career-best, he often disappeared for stretches offensively. Last season, while a shift to a bench role and him needing to probably do too much in stretches of the year likely didn’t help his cause, Osman in Year 4 hitting a career-low 30.6 percent from three was disappointing.

Heading into this season, I had my doubts about Osman being a viable contributor game-to-game in a bench role, but to his credit, he has responded very well. It’s unfortunate for him and others that Ricky Rubio tore his ACL last season, but Rondo should aid Osman and other catch-and-shoot threats in spurts somewhat, and overall, Osman has been in a nice rhythm this season so far.

On the season, Cedi has knocked in 39.7 percent of his 5.8 deep attempts per game and 22.4 minutes per contest, has had a very respectable 11.5 points per contest.

He’s definitely benefited from clarity relating to his bench role this season, similarly to that with Kevin Love, who shifted to a bench role this season. And Osman hopefully being back soon should give some juice to Cleveland’s bench on this six-game road trip. That’s with Okoro expected to be out for a few weeks, also, and I’d imagine Osman could help fill in some at the 2 in bigger lineups as a result.

Granted, I know that streakiness with Cedi and defensive on-ball issues against quality wings is a concern, and he hit 34.3 percent from deep in his six games before entering protocols.

Regardless, in a bench role in stretches on the wing, objectively, I know that especially with the recent guys being out, and with Okoro sidelined, that Osman’s off-ball presence and catch-and-shoot capabilities, can be a boost for Cleveland.

The energy he can provide for the rotation can give the group a lift, and as a cutter and heady transition contributor, he has good chemistry with guys such as Garland, Kevin Love and Evan Mobley.

Hopefully Osman can be back soon for the Wine and Gold, who will need some pop from him and other guys on this road trip. The conditioning for the 26-year-old will take a bit before, I’d think, for him to be all the way back, though, but that’s not a serious concern I wouldn’t believe.