The Cavaliers, who have assigned Dylan Windler to the G League to give him some playing time, still believe in the third-year forward, writes Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com. Windler has appeared in 17 NBA games this season, but his minutes have declined as injured teammates returned to action. He’s playing just 10.8 minutes per night and averaging 2.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
“We know who Dylan is and we believe in what Dylan can bring and how he can help this team,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We just have to continue to support him and help him, and giving him those minutes is our way of helping.”
“I think it’s good for him to get reps,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s tough when you’re not playing a whole bunch of minutes to kind of catch a rhythm and figure out where your need is. So you lose a little bit of that rhythm. Going out, getting reps gives you that rhythm and allows you to gain confidence and remember what it’s like to play five-on-five.”
There’s more from Cleveland:
- The Cavaliers should be considered a “strong suitor” for Caris LeVert, whom the Pacers are reportedly putting on the trade block, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. LeVert offers many of the same qualities as Collin Sexton, who has been lost for the rest of the season after meniscus surgery. The front office is looking for upgrades at shooting guard and the team has assets to offer Indiana, Fedor adds, while noting that many people in the Cavs’ organization like LeVert.
- Dean Wade has been cleared to return from a calf injury he suffered while being kicked during a game, according to Fedor (Twitter link). Wade has been sidelined since November 24, but he may not play tonight because the injury has prevented him from practicing.
- The Cavaliers have been rebuilding since LeBron James left for Los Angeles, but they may finally have the right combination in place to get back to the playoffs, per Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (subscription required). Part of the turnaround has been the rapid improvement of center Jarrett Allen, who was acquired from the Nets in a January trade. “It’s leadership,” Bickerstaff said. “He and I had a conversation last year about where I thought he could go, and the job we needed to do to get him there. Coming from where he was in Brooklyn, that wasn’t his role or responsibility, but we knew that moving forward that we were going to need that from him. We knew that was in him.”
Cavs don’t need another scorer/playmaker. They’ve been better with okuro’s athleticism. If anything a better shooting version of him but levert isn’t a catch and shoot guy and not great defensively so not the right fit
I bet the Spurs have a nice package they’d put out there to next sexton next to murray next season
Allen looks very good but Garland makes rookie ball decisions and thus cannot be trusted with max ballhandling. Rubio is grampa on this roster, and by now his lessons should be absorbed (but aren’t).
A lot of wasted athleticism on the Cavs, because they do not have the Rubio-like smart core to enable those athletes. Bickerstaff has coaching pedigree, but you cannot make a silk purse out of mismatched lottery picks.
If they could add Levert and some big mentor like Thad Young, and trade duplicative players in return for a star, they might be interesting, AND re ignite Kevin Love’s career.
Right now they are a lot of youthful flash with no real purposeful intent to their play. Bickerstaff is hampered by a misaligned roster.
The Cavs had an over/under of 27.5 wins and right now they’re on pace for 43 or so.
Give it time friendo.
To their credit they have faced the toughest schedule so far in the NBA. They definitely need to sift the roster though, this is a poorly constructed mix. Just imho watching them play. They beat the Bulls last night but it was more like their starters beat the end of the Bulls bench, with 5 Bulls in COVID protocol and Caruso injured.
We shall see how this turns out, but I saw a lot of sloppy play last night.
Everyone likes to hype how they haven’t been good since lebron left as if they didn’t go all in and trade all their young players and picks while he was there
@King
Realistically, just about every great team has a period of decline once their star retires or leaves. Ppl forget how bad Post- Jordan Bulls were until D.Rose, Post Celtic Bird until Paul Pierce, e.t.c. Even Kobe played on bad teams during the end of his career after Gasol and Odom moved on.
That’s, correct, the problem was the new, Love contract after James. Organization believed cavs are a playoff team. Not the best idea
@King
I happen to think Garland is developing well into a leader on the floor. Career highs across the board shooting along with 7 assists pg. near top 10 in apg. he’s still young and learning.
That’s why they don’t need Sexton.
@Knicker
Sexton was never meant to be their prominent PG. That’s why they drafted Garland the very next year. But what he IS is a dominant scorer who can score in multiple ways. Being that they employ 3 bigs and Sexton was their best scorer since being drafted, why give that up for a lesser player in Levert? And despite not having PG duties he averaged a career high 4.4 apg last year. Previous to this year’s slow start he and Garland were the two best 3pt shooters on the squad. Sexton is a playmaker who doesn’t have to rely on anyone to create a shot. He’s also our best offensive player drafted after LBJ and Kyrie. Makes no sense to just give him away let alone try to make it work with Garland and maybe Rubio off the bench.
Jeremi grant would be nice