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Cleveland Cavaliers: Grading each member of the young core

By Tony Pesta

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 03: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers taunts the New York Knicks bench after scoring during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 03, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 03: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers taunts the New York Knicks bench after scoring during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 03, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Cedi Osman

Grade: C

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a sneaky good pickup when they signed Cedi Osman during the 2017-18 NBA season. Playing few minutes as a bench warmer during his rookie season, Osman turned into one of the league’ Rising Stars last year.

In his first run as a rotational player, Osman averaged 13.0 points and 4.7 rebounds. He excelled with the ball in his hands and was exceptional at scoring in transition.

Following a promising sophomore season, Osman has seemingly regressed. He is averaging fewer points, rebounds and assists as his role with the team has decreased. He has taken a backseat to the rest of the Cavs starting lineup and is attempting fewer than 10 shots a game.

Osman’s biggest problem is his lack of assertiveness. He has talent but isn’t aggressive enough to create opportunities for himself. At times, it’s easy to forget that Osman is even on the floor with the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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This is a shame as he has been the team’s best 3-point shooter this season. Since the New Year, Osman has been lights out from beyond the arc, hitting more than two 3-pointers a game on above 40 percent shooting.

He has improved greatly as a shooter. Last season, Osman was one of the worst wide-open shooters in the entire league, hitting just 32.1 percent of his open attempts. Now, this number has ballooned to 40.9 percent.

The Cavaliers need to find a way to utilize Osman more often. Perhaps running him off of screens would help create more open looks for Osman but it is ultimately his teammate’s job to get him the ball.

As he currently stands, Osman’s potential is limited. There is no way to teach assertiveness and if Osman continues to be an afterthought in the Cavaliers offense he will remain nothing more than an average player.

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At some point, we should expect Osman to take on a bench role with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is talented enough to stay with the team longterm but has yet to prove himself as a worthy starting forward in the NBA.

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