We've been moaning about the problem at small forward since the season started (or before), but I'm wondering if we might have found a solution.
Cedi Osman has had back-to-back outstanding games. Against Miami (admittedly depleted) he had 20 points, 12 boards, and was an astonishing +39 in 37 minutes.
Against the Hawks he went 8-for-10 and scored 23 points with a +9 on a night when LeVert and Wade were out.
It's not just two games. For the month of November he's shooting 52.3% overall and a blistering 44.1% on 3's. For the season the numbers are almost as good; 48.3% and 40.6%. That's a significant improvement over last year's 43.2% and 35.7%. It's still early so maybe he regresses to last year's numbers, which are almost identical to his career numbers, but I'm hopeful that in his 6th season he's matured and found a way to improve his game.
Cedi's effective field goal percentages the last three years (including this year): 45.8%, 54.6%, 60.3%. His shooting percentages at the rim: 55%, 62%, 74%. Looks like a trend.
I've noticed he's starting to attack the rim in the half-court offense, which he never used to do before. He's developed a nice spin move when he gets to the paint and he's better finishing with his left hand, which he was unable to do earlier in his career.
He's also showing good judgment on when to take the 3-point shot and when to move the ball. He and Love seem to work really well together. It's also possible his improved 3-point accuracy is due to getting more uncontested 3's due to the addition of Donovan Mitchell and the attention he draws.
After the last two games Cedi now leads the Cavs in on/off at +17.5. His contribution is totally on the offensive end (+18.8). He's a very small liability on defense (+1.3).
Dean Wade is second on the team in on/off at +15.3. He's the opposite of Cedi; +3.4 points offensively and -11.8 defensively. JBB can play one or the other depending on who else is on the court and the opponent.
My recommendation when Wade is ready to play is to start Wade and have him and Cedi split the minutes at small forward. Which one gets more minutes will depend on the opponent, the matchups, who else is in the Cavs' lineup, and the score.
For example, when the opponent's high scoring wing is on the floor, go with Wade. When he sits down, bring in Cedi.
I would not have either Okoro or Stevens in the rotation with everybody healthy. Garland, Mitchell, LeVert, and Rubio at guard, Wade and Cedi at the 3, Mobley and Love at the 4, Allen and Lopez/Mobley at the 5.
If this year's versions of Cedi and Wade are for real, we may not have a problem at small forward, assuming each one is used correctly, one for defense and one for offense, depending on the opponent and the score.
