This Cavs player is odd man out in wing rotation from here

When it comes to the Cleveland Cavaliers wing group, Isaac Okoro is trending upward, Caris LeVert is settling in and finding his way off the bench as a 2/3 player, and Cedi Osman has shown that can provide an offensive lift if the chances are there for him.

Other guys involved have been Lamar Stevens, who has demonstrated he can be a quality defender in recent seasons, and whether it’s featuring him at the 3 or 4, Dean Wade has proven he can be a viable 3-and-D player when healthy. Additionally, Cleveland’s recent signing of Danny Green via the buyout market should give the team a meaningful rotational shooter that has a wealth of postseason experience.

There’s going to be some inconsistencies regarding minutes for a few of the guys in the group, but it does seem that looking onward, Okoro, LeVert and Wade are going to have their fair share of minutes heading toward the playoff push.

One will have to see on the outlook for Green, who is going to need more time to establish a rhythm coming off barely playing thus far this season due to injury. Osman also should get some run as well, though his chances could dwindle, to my chagrin.

That said, when examining the wing outlook from here for the Cavaliers, it’s evident that Stevens is likely the odd man out.

Stevens looks to be the odd man out in the Cavs’ rotation from here.

This is not a knock on Stevens. He’s been a useful wing for the Cavaliers as a defensive contributor with matchup versatility to defend bigger wings and forwards for stretches that are key offensive players for opponents.

Stevens has aided the Cavs team defense when he’s been on the floor, too, and dating back to last season, has made further strides as a help/weak side rotator, which has led to some deflections and blocks as a result. He’s averaged 6.0 rebounds per-36 minutes as well, and his positioning on the defensive glass is typically fundamentally sound, and his sturdy frame helps in that area.

However, with Okoro’s strides taken as a shooter and cutter of late, and the other wings having more viability on offense, it seems as if Stevens’ opportunities are going by the wayside. He is still a player that can self-create for spurts for the Cavaliers, and that’s not to be discounted.

But, Stevens has been cold when appearances have been there for him of late, and even with some progress made earlier on the year, his three-point hit rate is 30.2 percent in 2022-23. With offensive fit questions in set offensive situations in lineups with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, in particular, it’s tough to foresee Stevens having opportunities on a nightly basis for much meaningful playing time.

In Stevens’ last 10 appearances, he’s averaged 8.7 minutes of playing time, in which he’s had 3.5 points per contest. He has converted on 55.2 percent of his shot attempts in that span, it’s just not been in much meaningful play for it to be deemed impactful game-to-game. He’s had three DNPs in the past 13 games for the Cavaliers, for further context.

Conversely, despite it feasibly taking some time for Green to get himself acclimated with the Cavaliers, he has displayed how he can very well be a knockdown shooter, and he has a championship pedigree.

Osman is a player who can get hot as well, regarding other rotational wings that are more so off-ball contributors, and Wade will be getting some considerable play at the 3/4 with his two-way abilities. Granted, one would assume Cleveland could utilize some lineups in spurts where Stevens and Wade are out there for defense.

All things considered, though, with several others firmly in the rotation, Green’s arrival as a movement shooter and battle-tested veteran, Stevens seems to be the odd man out among the wing group. Now, injuries unfortunately do happen, and even if not (fingers crossed), Stevens will get some minutes for his defensive versatility and transition energy.

But, for the most part, it’s difficult to foresee Lamar having minutes regularly in the closing stretch of the regular season here, let alone in the playoffs.