3 Cavs that earned untouchable status, 4 that should be cut loose

The second of four Cavs who should be cut loose: Dylan Windler

Luck hasn’t been on the side of Dylan Windler in his time with the Cavaliers. Windler was a first-round pick back in 2019, and he’s had encouraging flashes with Cleveland, when he’s been available.

The problem has been just that: the lack of availability. Windler missed all of his rookie campaign because of a stress reaction in his lower left leg, played 31 games in his de facto rookie year, which was eventually cut short due to a knee injury, and this season, he appeared in just three games. An ankle sprain for the most part was the culprit there, and realistically, Windler probably wasn’t going to have much of a case for minutes, as the season moved along with the lack of rhythm.

Windler, as we mentioned, has had some quality performances for Cleveland, and defensively, did do solid work when he was given meaningful opportunities last season.

However, when the chances came for Windler last season, too often he seemed hesitant as a shooter, or was just not able to find a rhythm nearly enough to make a shooting impact. The minutes were spiractic, but he connected on 30.0 percent from three in 2021-22, and 33.8 percent from three in 2020-21.

While Windler might theoretically still be an impactful movement and generally, three-and-D presence, it’s difficult to foresee why Cleveland would extend him a qualifying offer of roughly $6 million this summer. He’s been active in 84 total games in four seasons.

He’ll be 27 next season, if he finds his way on an NBA roster. That shouldn’t be the Cavaliers, though.