The turnaround to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2021-22 season was impressive for many reasons, including the fact that they got good production from several players that primarily came off the bench over the season. While Kevin Love and Cedi Osman were used a lot throughout the season there were a few other players that included Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade and Caris LeVert who also had big moments during the season that helped the team too.
These players should get a bigger role next season and that could mean a run into the playoffs next year. Why they weren’t used more in key moments of games this past season could have altered their season this year where the team fell a game short of reaching the playoffs.
LeVert came over to the team late in a trade with the Indiana Pacers and was still getting his feet wet this latter part of the season.
Stevens and Wade both are excellent defenders and if used better by Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in the future could help this Cavs team more.
Much of these projections for next season rely on their head coach being willing to change his game plan and that might be asking too much. One major flaw in Bickerstaff’s decisions with these players was he wasn’t consistent with their playing time or when and how he used them in games. There were games Stevens would step in and have an outstanding game and then that would be followed by seeing him ride the bench. The same could be said for Wade, who would step in, even as a starter but then for stretches of games be delegated to the bench and you’d be wondering where did he go?
Did the head coach just forget he had these players who were helping the team win? To be frank, it was just weird all season and annoying to witness.
We’ll take a look at all three of these players and why they should get a bigger role for the team. They all certainly should get one but like I’ve been saying a lot will ride on their head coach and his understanding what type of players he has.
Cavs player No. 3 needing a bigger role: Lamar Stevens
Stevens really improved for the Cavaliers as the season went on. He was better in almost all parts of his game in his second season in the league. What you have to love the most is his tenacious defense he’d bring on every possession. From a numbers view, he increased his scoring average from 4.1 to 6.1. He started 13 games and played in 63 games compared to the 40 games he played in in his first season.
He scored over 10 points in 11 games this season compared to accomplishing that three times a year ago in his first year, which began with him on a two-way deal. He increased his steals of at least one in a game from 12 last season to 21 games this season. So he was contributing in many areas this now-past season.
His minutes played per game improved to 16.1 this season and that needs to be up over 20 minutes next season for the team to take advantage of his talents.
The biggest reason for an increase in playing time is that his time on the court usually meant a better defensive effort by the team. He was getting more time on the court by seasons end and hopefully that will continue next season.
Cavs player No. 2 needing a bigger role: Dean Wade
Wade was an unsung hero on the team. Wade was the guy that no one ever talked about but was one of the biggest factors in the team’s turnaround this season. Wade did all the dirty work on the defensive end. He was usually assigned to guard opponents’ teams best players like James Harden or Kevin Durant.
He might not be a scoring machine and many of his critics will point to that as being a reason to keep him off the floor, but the value of a player like Wade to any team can’t be overlooked. His numbers were virtually the same as his previous season. He averaged just over 19 minutes a game and had a 5.3 points per game scoring average. He played in only 51 games after suffering a season-ending partial meniscus tear, but is reportedly recovered and back to on-floor work.
He started 28 games and that was a nice increase for him. He likely won’t get starts next season unless his teammates like big men Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley or Lauri Markkanen get injured.
Where Wade has made the biggest difference for the team was his defense and all the little things, like tracking down a loose ball going out of bounds or hustling back in transition defense to not allow an easy basket by the opponent that made his contributions to the team the most valuable of any of the players this season. The team had a 6-11 record after Wade went down with his injury.
While I don’t see Wade getting more starts in games unless the other “Big 3” get injured he certainly deserves a more consistent amount of time on the court. If you look at his minutes this past season, they fluctuated more than any other player. He’d have a game or two of playing 30 minutes and then he’d only play five or 10 minutes the following game. That inconsistency in use by his head coach played a big part in the Cavaliers’ inability to be more consistent down the stretch.
Next season Wade needs to have those 20 to 25 minutes be more consistent. If that happens then it’d play a crucial role in the Cavaliers making the playoffs next season.
Cavs player No. 1 needing a bigger role: Caris LeVert
When the Cavaliers made the late season trade for LeVert it was a hope that Cavs could use his veteran experience to help guide this young team into the playoffs. While LeVert showed signs of that, his inconsistency offensively and LeVert’s inability to get comfortable with his new team we’re too much to overcome.
Having an off-season to gel more with his teammates will certainly help. LeVert was brought in to be a scorer and his defense was suspect. That poor defense didn’t help at times this season. His scoring points will need to improve next season as well if he gets a bigger role on the team. There are still questions around Cavs other guard Collin Sexton. Will he be the starter again alongside guard Darius Garland? Or will LeVert replace Sexton next season in that starters role?
In his time with the Cavaliers most of his statistics were down. His scoring average in the 19 games he played with the team was down to 13.6 points. He hasn’t had a scoring average that low for several seasons. That scoring was very inconsistent as well. He’d score 32 points one game and follow that up with nine points the next night even though his minutes played were about the same.
Next season I suspect that LeVert will be much more comfortable with the Cavs. He was taking about four fewer shots per game at around 12 a night in those 19 games he played with Cleveland. I look for him to get 15 to 20 shots up a night next season.
Additionally, for context, LeVert had issues getting into a rhythm because of a foot sprain he suffered near when the All-Star break ended. Hopefully, he can be well-acclimated to the team by next season.
Anyway, if the Cavaliers want to reach the playoffs next season Stevens, Wade and LeVert will need to be more involved. Let’s hope their head coach is planning on this for next year.