The Cavaliers recently met with small forward Cedi Osman, international journalist David Pick reports (Twitter link). Cleveland selected Osman with the No. 31 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft after acquiring the pick from the Timberwolves along with the No. 36 overall selection in exchange for the rights to Tyus Jones, who was taken with the No. 24 pick.
It’s unclear where Osman fits in the Cavs’ plans for 2015/16, with the team already having 13 players possessing fully guaranteed deals, and a total roster count of 16. This doesn’t include Tristan Thompson, who may end up signing a one-year qualifying offer with the team. Cleveland’s depth chart at small forward begins, of course, with LeBron James, who will also spend time at power forward throughout the course of the season. The team also has Richard Jefferson and James Jones on hand for depth at the three spot.
Osman, 20, spent the 2014/15 campaign playing for the Turkish club Anadolu Efes. The forward made 27 appearances and averaged 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists to accompany a slash line of .397/.303/.667.
Where does it say that they “talk deal” with him. He simply reported that he met with the Cavs, which isn’t that surprising since they probably haven’t met with him since the draft (he didn’t come to the states).
He’s eligible to come to the States immediately, I believe. So the Cavs have to offer him a deal or lose his rights, I think?