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.
No. 2 Cavs Christmas wish list item: A healthy team
The injury bug has stuck with the Cavs over the past two seasons and that’s not a promising sign and yet they have been able to fight through these setbacks. It would be nice to think that many of these current players with injuries can make their way back and help the team.
The season started out by Darius Garland being sidelined with a nasty eye injury. Since then, Jarrett Allen was sidelined for a bit with a foot injury. Kevin Love, the oldest veteran on the team, has also had a number of issues that have limited his play as well. Currently, Cleveland is missing several key players including Dean Wade and Ricky Rubio.
Getting both these players could really give the Cavaliers a big advantage against their opponents. Wade has had a couple problems staying healthy. His latest injury is related to his shoulder which could be a long-range injury. He’s still probably a few weeks from returning.
When injuries happen it puts that extra strain on the rest of the team and sometimes that can add to more injuries. The Cavs have altered their starting unit on and off this season. With the three spots being the one position that has changed the most. Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade have all occupied that position.
With the injury to Wade most recently, it looks like Stevens has won the spot in the short term.
No. 3 Cavs Christmas wish list item: A better road team
The Cavs got a nice road win the other night when they beat the Dallas Mavericks105-90. It was a solid effort by all, and they got another All-Star effort by Donovan Mitchell with 34 points. That type of win on the road though has been a real struggle for the team. Cleveland currently has a 6-9 road record which isn’t terrible, but if they could turn the losing ways around they could really add positively to their 18-11 overall record and third place standings in the Eastern Conference.
They have a 2-8 record in their last 10 road games, so it was a sight for sore eyes to see the win against the Mavericks. They return home for most of the rest of December as they have the next six games back in the confines of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Once they finish December’s homestead, the team then plays 11 of their next 16 games on the road, so it will be important the Wine and Gold start getting a plus .-500 record when they are traveling.
The rest of the regular season in the months of February and March are much more balanced in terms of home and road games, so that stretch in January can’t be undervalued in how the rest of the season plays out for Cleveland. They’re a young team and part of that experience is learning how to win when the crowds are hostile and not cheering for you.
Here’s to wishing that Santa hears these reasonable Cavalier wishes loud and clear. We don’t need any more coal in our stockings. We’d like a few more sweets instead!