When looking at next season, it does appear that when it comes to the 3 position, Lauri Markkanen should again receive plenty of minutes, normally, and I do believe he should be more comfortable in that newer role. He’ll get some time still at the 4, and a bit at the 5 perhaps, matchup-dependent, but I would think that when the Cleveland Cavaliers are healthy, we’ll see the three-big lineup get its share of play next year still.
As for others, though, I would think that we should see Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade have opportunities again next season, in the event both are back.
That’s not a guarantee, necessarily, but with how both helped the team last season for stretches, and showed viability at times when needed as starters, they should have some meaningful minutes next year again. Wade played more regularly as a jumbo 3 last season with Cleveland often wanting to stay big.
That said, he did still play some with Stevens, which I would think we could see in spots next season, too. Either way, Stevens is a player that can be used in lineups 2-4, I think, and based on last season, he could warrant more opportunities typically next year.
From there, while he could be a potential trade candidate it seems, regarding other fringe rotational options, seemingly for now, Cedi Osman will have a case still, too. He’s a guy who is up and down and is not a great defender on-ball, however, he has the propensity to give the team a spark, and if he’s not dealt before next season, that can still play some into his case for rotational minutes.
So, among the Cavs three rotational guys we mentioned above in Stevens, Wade and Osman, who has the best case for minutes?
This could be a question J.B. Bickerstaff and company have to answer at various times next season, seemingly, circling back a moment, whether or not there’s injuries to players such as Lauri Markkanen, or Evan Mobley.
The Cavs might want to favor Stevens/Wade, with Osman’s inconsistencies being apparent at this juncture
No matter if injuries were to affect the minutes outlook, the likes of Wade and Stevens demonstrated that they can be quality defensive options for stretches last season, and both were decent when needed in some starts. With Osman, conversely, he likely has a higher offensive ceiling if given minutes, and is more of a movement shooting presence than Wade.
But, at this point, we’re well aware of Osman’s defensive limitations, and while I acknowledge he can provide a heck of a lift at times, if his deep ball isn’t falling, there’s not much more rationale for him getting minutes.
The volume will be there for Cedi if he plays in notable stretches of minutes, it’s just hard to predict game-to-game if the looks will go down. And with him essentially on an expiring deal next season, with his 2023-24 non-guaranteed, it seems that he could be traded before next season.
Whether or not that occurs, though, if it comes to it, next season, it’s probably more sensible to choose between Stevens and Wade, in relation to our question between the three for some rotational minutes.
With that caveat, we’ll debate further the case for Stevens and Wade next then.
It’s close, but I’d probably lean Wade more if it comes down to it
As we alluded to, both Stevens and Wade can hold their own in matchups, by and large, against opposing wings and still a number of forwards for a few stretches if given the opportunities.
They both can help the team’s defensive rebounding positioning, and in terms of team defense, Stevens and Wade had 1.5 percent steal rates last season, which was decent. They appear to be capable rotators off-ball, too, and Stevens has shown he can make plays on occasion at the rim in that realm.
As for the offensive end, I do believe Stevens displayed some encouraging signs as a driver last season, and he can make some plays as a pull-up player in the mid-range/in the deeper paint. With more opportunities down the closing stretch of the season, and more so when Wade was out with injury, Stevens I thought was a bright spot for Cleveland with the energy he brought.
Nonetheless, what is still evident with Stevens is that he has a ways to go to be considered respectable as a catch-and-shoot guy, and while I could see him cut into Isaac Okoro’s minutes, Lamar still does need to improve his deep ball. There were positive signs there for Stevens last year, but he still hit only 27.7 percent from downtown, and the volume was not notable.
So, to me, even with some streakiness in that area, Dean is far more capable it seems on catch-and-shoot plays from three, and despite minutes inconsistencies, he shot 35.9 percent from three, which was fine, given the circumstances. He can get hot in spot starts as well. The shooting threat of Wade could still make him more sensible to play with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, for what it’s worth, which helps his case.
And though there were off-ball strides from Stevens last season, Wade is still a highly capable finisher inside, and Wade’s off-ball feel is more developed still than Stevens, seemingly. With that in mind, combined with the defensive competence, he might be more capable for stretches if the lineup decisions came down to him and Stevens, in this sense.
So, ultimately, regarding feasibly more fringe-type forwards, in times it seemingly will come down to it, provided these three guys are back in this case, I’d could foresee Wade having the best rotational case among the group of trio, Stevens and Osman. I get that we could seemingly see two of three out there for stretches, but this debate could be one that could come to the forefront regularly in games still.