Cavs: Maybe Cedi Osman can be more efficient, albeit in less minutes

The state of Cedi Osman‘s outlook with the Cleveland Cavaliers is a question mark leading into the 2021-22 season, which will be his fifth in the league, all with Cleveland.

Osman has been a player that has had his share of inconsistencies over the course of the last three seasons, and last year, it was unfortunate to see him take a step back. In the 2019-20 campaign, he knocked in 38.3 percent from three-point range, whereas last season, that hit rate fell to 30.6 percent.

Now, I’m not completely grilling Osman for that, as the team’s injury woes led to him at times taking on even a de facto lead playmaking role, and just in general, him being in mostly a bench role was an adjustment. The prior two seasons, he was the club’s starting 3, so one has to acknowledge that as well.

That said, it was still disappointing, as even with Osman seemingly disappearing at times for Cleveland for stretches the year prior, regardless of the shooting, his three-point shooting clip dipping that low was rough. At one point last season, he ended up having five straight DNPs.

Now, in this coming season, though, perhaps we could see Osman pick things up, as a bench playmaker such as Ricky Rubio should help, and in his third season with Darius Garland, Osman should have more comfortability in minutes with him.

But it is difficult to foresee what kind of role game-to-game Osman could have, as the likes of Dylan Windler, who is reportedly healthy, could end up having a regular bench role at the 2/3.

Plus, Lamar Stevens could have a real case as a situational defender that is very multiple there, and can provide a driving presence. And while his deal is only partially-guaranteed, Denzel Valentine could be involved in the wing rotation, and could be another player to affect Osman’s outlook. Windler is reportedly healthy now, also.

Although Osman can still aid the Cavaliers, to some degree, if he can turn things around. Granted that’d be in less minutes game-to-game.

Cavs: Maybe Osman can be more efficient, albeit in less minutes.

To drive it home, others will be in the mix; Osman could still with him being more comfortable in this bench role, however.