3 Cavs that have to step up with Dean Wade sidelined

No. 3: Cedi Osman

Thirdly, Cedi Osman fits into the mold of other Cavs that the team needs to step up with Wade on the shelf.

Fans know the deal with Osman. He’s a player that can go off for the Wine and Gold when he’s on, but he’s been off for his share of stretches of games over the years as well. On the season, he’s done decently, with 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game, although his three-point hit rate has dipped to 34.7 percent.

But when the opportunities have been there for him in ample minutes, Osman can provide energy and he has delivered on a number of occasions this year already for the Cavaliers. In his last seven games, he hasn’t been able to knock down his looks nearly how he is capable, of which played out earlier on. In that span, he’s gone only 23.5 percent from three, and his splits overall have dipped to 7.7 points per outing then.

That said, Osman has found ways to give the Cavs a lift in other ways as a cutter, defensive rebounder, and transition player, an area where he’s continually aided the team as a run-out target. And without Wade’s transition play, that’s an area where Osman can help to some degree in stretches of games, and similarly to Wade, Osman has proven that he can be a capable connecting passer in set offense.

Anyways, while the Cavs will need to get Jarrett Allen back from a back injury, the team will have to find ways to replace Wade’s presence somewhat by committee in coming weeks.

Perhaps the Cavaliers look to sign two-way forward Mamadi Diakite to a standard deal eventually as well, or potentially looks elsewhere by signing the recently-waived Matt Ryan, for example, to help give the team more wing/forward depth.