Dear Santa: 3 items on a Cleveland Cavaliers’ Christmas wish list
By John Suchan
Christmas is just around the corner and while many young children around the globe are writing their letters to Santa Clause asking for all their favorite things, basketball teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers also should consider writing their own letters. For the Cavs, there are many things they could use moving forward this season, especially if they want to make it to the playoffs.
In this letter to Santa, the Cavs might tell him that they are thankful already for so many things like their newest star Donovan Mitchell, who was traded to them from the Utah Jazz right before the season started. They also might thank Santa for their core group of young talent like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. It’s always good to remind others of all they’re thankful for before they put in a special request.
Let’s look at three requests that the team should make if they want to be serious contenders for the rest of the season.
No. 1 Cavs Christmas wish list item: Better bench play
It’s a good thing that the Cavaliers have a talented starting five because their bench of players hasn’t been able to produce much this season and is one reason this team hasn’t won more games. Just in the last month, Cleveland’s bench has been out scored in all seven games. That pattern has been there most of the season. The reason for that has to do with injuries mostly including that players like Kevin Love and Dean Wade have been sidelined on and off because of not being able to stay healthy.
The team’s best bench player these days is Caris LeVert, who has also been a starter. But players like Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman haven’t shown enough consistency, especially offensively, and that’s a real problem. The team hopes to see the return of veteran guard Ricky Rubio relatively soon and Love and Wade should be healthier in time but for now the team continues to struggle.
The continued pressure put on the starters because this Cleveland bench has been so bad most of the season will not bode well in the long run. So, do the Cavs consider a trade or two to strengthen the bench? It may be something to consider sooner than later if Cleveland wants to stay in the mix down the line.
Osman is probably the one guy coming off the bench that has been the biggest disappointment because he’d produced much better statistics in his past. His scoring average is down to 8.9 ppg, down from last season’s 10.7 ppg. In the last 10 games of this season, he’s only scored in double figures three times. The usually reliable three-point shooting has really dropped too in the last 10 games. He’s only shooting 22% on going 10-for-45. If Osman can turn the tide, then maybe the Cavs wouldn’t consider a change.
Regardless, the players coming off the Cleveland bench need to produce much more or more teams will take advantage of that as the season wears on.