3 Cleveland Cavaliers whose futures will be decided over the last 21 games

Jan 18, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) reacts after a three point basket during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) reacts after a three point basket during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) smiles after a basket during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) smiles after a basket during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Cedi Osman

The Cavs need bench scoring and Cedi Osman has just become one of the two names most needed to deliver. Osman is known for being a streaky player but he can play solid defense and can create with the ball in his hands. The only problem is that the Cavs have done well with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Ricky Rubio, and even Raul Neto in that role that Osman hasn’t been used as frequently as he could be.

Osman has got to show that he can be a more consistent shooter, especially with Love gone. Right now, Osman has become the team’s most talented three-point shooter by proxy, and that means Osman has got to show that he’s worth his contract by finding a more consistent stroke.

The Cavs, like with Okoro, can’t afford to carry Osman if he can’t become a reliable option. Part of the reason he hasn’t been given such a chance, however, has been due to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s constant yo-yo-ing of Osman in the rotation. Some nights he’ll play five minutes, other nights he’ll play 35.

He has no consistency in his minutes and that’s been affecting his play. Constant minutes game-to-game will help Osman prove what he can be for this team.