The Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten most of their production from their guards and bigs this season. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are the engine of an offense that ranks ninth in the NBA and Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are the anchors of the league’s best defense. However, the Cavs have gotten very inconsistent production from their wings this season.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has tried to find the right fit at small forward, but there hasn’t been a guy that has separated himself.
That said, here, we’ll go in-depth in our grading of the Cavs’ wings thus far this season, with each on an individual basis in this sense.
We’ll start with a player that was supposed to be the answer for this weakness on the roster.
Examining Caris LeVert’s play so far
Caris LeVert has been the biggest headache for Cavs fans this season. It feels like his 41-point outburst against the Boston Celtics was eons ago. The thing about LeVert is that he is a jack of all trades, but a master of none.
On the season, he is shooting 36% from three, but he has shot 22% from three since February-on. He can score the ball at will at times, as he has 11 games with 20 points or more. But, he has not crossed double digits since Feb. 10 and hasn’t scored 20 points since Jan. 20. It has not been all bad for LeVert though this season.
He has improved on catch-and-shoot opportunities, as he is shooting 39% on catch-and-shoot threes. His playmaking has also been a constant for the Cavaliers this season, especially lately as he has been averaging 5 assists per game since Feb. 6. That is where the good stops with LeVert since the new year, though.
He needs to step it up if he wants another contract from the Cavaliers and this season he hasn’t shown that he has earned that.
LeVert’s grade so far: C+
Examining Isaac Okoro’s play so far
One thing that can never be questioned about Isaac Okoro is his defensive ability. He is without a doubt the best perimeter defender on the roster, leading all Cavs forwards in deflections per game with 1.3. However, the one weakness Okoro has is shooting and to start out the season, it was rough.
He was coming off the bench due to his limited offensive game and Bickerstaff thought the team would have more firepower with LeVert in the lineup along with Mitchell and Garland. Okoro did next to nothing to change that. From October-December he shot a horrendous 19% from three, including an 0-of-12 start to the season. It was essentially four on five on the offensive end of the floor because teams had no fear of Okoro.
Since Jan. 1, though, Okoro has flipped the switch completely. He has shot 46% from three and 47% on catch-and-shoot threes. He has been playing like the three-and-D forward the Cavs have desperately needed all season since the new year and it is vital that Okoro keeps this up in the postseason. The Cavaliers are going to need him in crunch time because of his defensive value. Now his offense needs to keep pace.
Okoro’s grade so far: B
Examining Cedi Osman’s play so far
Cedi Osman is the definition of streaky. His points per game and three-point percentage are down this year and so are his minutes per game. In his defense, he has gotten inconsistent playing time due to him being in the Bickerstaff doghouse from time to time.
Despite that, Osman has the second-highest net rating on the team with 7.7 and he also is third on the team in defensive rating. Plus, he’s involved in some of the best lineups the Cavaliers have put on the floor this season.
In the 37 games where he has 20 or more minutes he has scored double digits in 24 of those games. The Cavs have a 26-11 record when Osman plays 20 minutes or more, compared to 12-12 when he doesn’t. Osman is a streaky player, but given the Cavaliers’ glaring weakness at the small forward spot, he should be given more opportunities than the ones he has been given.
Osman’s grade so far: B-
From there, we’ll give our rationale for the grading for Lamar Stevens.
Examining Lamar Stevens’ play so far
Another guy who has gotten inconsistent playing time is Stevens. Stevens was a starter for a short period earlier in the season, starting 18 games total. Through the first two months of the season, Stevens had 44/35 shooting splits while playing 26 minutes a game. He was one of the team’s best defenders in that span, and has shown versatility on that end.
After putting Stevens in the starting lineup and rotation, the Cavs were second in defensive rating from Nov. 18 to Dec. 31. His lauded junkyard dog mentality got this team back on track. However, his playing time has waned since the new year.
He has only crossed the 20-minute mark three times and is now, for the most part, out of the rotation entirely. While his offensive efficiency can be questionable at times, Stevens has a defensive intensity that the Cavaliers need in a long playoff series. His performance on offense can be better, but he deserves a spot in the playoff rotation nonetheless.
Stevens’ grade so far: C+
Examining Dean Wade’s play so far
Dean Wade has missed a lot of time due to injury this season, but his impact is felt. The Cavs have a 23-12 record in games Wade plays this season and he is second on the team in defensive rating. He also leads the team in net rating with 8.3; Wade is also hitting 37% of his threes this season, including 38% on catch-and-shoot opportunities.
He does not have a flashy offensive game, but he does not need to. He is efficient with his chances, even with a recent cold spell. In my opinion, he is one of the better options the Cavs have at the small forward spot right now and he will be key in any playoff series due to his ability to guard multiple positions and shoot open shots when called upon.
He could supplant Okoro in the starting lineup depending on matchups in the playoffs. Wade is the Cavs most impactful player off the bench by far and is a key reason, when healthy, that the Cavaliers are one of the best defensive teams in the league.
Wade’s grade so far: B+
The good news is the Cavs have some options at the small forward spot. The bad news is, will their inconsistency at that spot cost them in the playoffs? Or will one of these guys finally step up and take the reins and help the Cavs achieve their lofty goals?
That remains to be seen.