Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016-17 Season Outlook

Three Key Storylines: 2. Backup Guards

As of right now, second-round rookie Kay Felder is the backup point guard for the NBA’s defending champs. Depth becomes less important in the playoffs, but that’s obviously concerning for a team relying on its bench to help sustain leads and allow the starters to rest during the regular season.

Matthew Dellavedova’s floaters, efficient three-point shooting, recklessly adventurous alley-oop lobs and

penchant for injuring opposing players

heart are all gone.

For the time being, Kyrie, LeBron and Felder are really the only players capable of logging minutes at the point. The 5’9″ Felder is an explosive player and has relatively held his own in preseason, averaging 8.8 points in 22.2 minutes per game on 40.7 percent shooting.

But as much as Felder stands out as a potential second round steal, a steadier hand might be needed with Cleveland’s championship aspirations in mind.

Meanwhile, Mo Williams and the Cavs are currently at an impasse after he wavered between retiring and returning for a final season in 2016-17. Williams was a rarely used third-stringer behind Delly and underwent knee surgery on Oct. 12. The deadline for waiving him and stretching his salary without being liable for his contract (and corresponding luxury tax payment) has already passed.

As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports, the Cavs are trying to package him and Jordan McRae — Cleveland’s leading scorer in the preseason — to avoid the problem and free up room for another backup point guard. At that point, someone like the still unsigned Mario Chalmers might become a realistic option.

Until the Cavs can deal Williams and bring in a more experienced backup though, their backcourt depth will be a bit of a question mark.

Next: Storyline 3: Cavaliers vs. Warriors, Part III