The Cavaliers’ bench is ancient.
Richard Jefferson (37), Kyle Korver (36), Jose Calderon (35) and Channing Frye (34) are past their primes. The worry is they run out of gas, just as LeBron James’ supporting cast did his final year with the Heat. (Is this LeBron’s final season in Cleveland?)
But the Cavs will inject youth onto their roster with Cedi Osman, the No. 31 pick in the 2015 NBA draft.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN:
Cavs have agreed to sign 2015 draft pick Cedi Osman, sources said. Deal is 3 years, $8.3 million plus about $700,000 going to Euro buyout.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 12, 2017
The most the Cavaliers can contribute toward Osman’s buyout is $675,000. They’ll use a portion of the taxpayer mid-level exception to pay his base salary.
This is a good price on Osman, even with the included luxury-tax pain. Osman is a reasonably athletic hustle player with solid court vision. The Cleveland needs more players like him, especially considering he’s just 22.
Young players provide energy and contribute to an environment of not becoming content. The only players the Cavaliers acquired and rostered from the last four drafts were Kay Felder and Joe Harris, a couple second-rounders. Osman, whom I rated as a low first-rounder and who continued to develop overseas the last couple years, is a welcome addition.
