Is Rockets castoff a good addition for Cavaliers final spot?

As mentioned before, Oladipo finished last season averaging 10.7 points per game while shooting 39.7 percent from field goal range, as well as 33.0 percent from the three-point line. It should be stated that his three-point shooting percentage is off of 4.9 attempts. So, there appears to be a lack of consistent production with Oladipo. However, that might not be too much of an issue with the Cavs.

An addition of Victor Oladipo to Cleveland would be mainly to take the pressure off of the other guards for around ten or so minutes a game. So the team would not need Oladipo to provide consistent offensive efficiency.

Bickerstaff could utilize Victor Oladipo as a fill-in player off the bench. Since Ricky Rubio announced he was stepping away from basketball to take care of his mental health, the Cavs have been in need of more guard depth. With the Darius Garland-Donovan Mitchell star guard duo in the starting lineup, along with Caris LeVert and Ty Jerome providing support off the bench, Oladipo would not be expected to play more than ten to fifteen minutes a night.

While Oladipo’s scoring is adequate and could come in handy during small spurts, it’s his defense that really sells him as an addition worth considering for Cleveland. Last year the 6’4″ guard averaged around 2.7 defensive rebounds per game, in addition to 1.4 steals a game as well. Back in January of the previous season, the head coach of the Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra praised Oladipo for his impact on the defensive side of the court saying – “He just has electrifying quickness laterally.” Victor Oladipo would provide the Cavs with a relief guard that can take the defensive pressure off of the others in the main rotation.

Bringing Victor Oladipo to Cleveland would give the team another guard to provide support off the bench. Oladipo would likely take his minutes with the second unit. A potential lineup with him could look something like Ty Jerome, Victor Oladipo, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, and Damian Jones.

Alternatively, Cleveland could give Oladipo some minutes at the point guard spot and run him at the one, along with LeVert, Georges Niang, Dean Wade, and Damian Jones or Tristan Thompson a center. Suffice it to say, Cleveland would have Oladipo slide in for some quick possessions here and there to provide support for the main cast. Oladipo could also fit into the starting lineup if Cleveland ever needed to rest Darius or Donovan. Playing with former Heat teammate, Max Strus, would give Victor some sense of familiarity.