One of the major concerns heading into the offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers was where the franchise would go with their wings. While the team added distributors and big men, the wings remained relatively unaddressed, deciding instead to mainly keep the status quo in 2021-22.
The team is hoping that they can cash in big by betting on their own. Young wings like Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens, and Dylan Windler have been hard at work all offseason and are looking to springboard it into success in 2021-22.
Okoro, 20, had a good rookie season, finishing on the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team and averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in April. The rookie was assigned to defend most opponents' top scoring threats, which tested Okoro often. Read more about Okoro’s offseason here.
While Okoro heads the wings for the Cavaliers, one of the favorite picks for most improved this offseason was Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens.
Stevens, 24, signed with the Cavaliers last year as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State. He showcased his athletic ability on the defensive end in 2020-21, covering wings and stretch-4’s mainly, but thanks to Las Vegas Summer League this summer, Stevens was able to get some added playing time at small forward.
When talking to the media on Friday, Stevens said that he’s been working to improve his ball-handling and three point shooting, trying to lock down the backup spot behind Okoro.
Cavaliers wing Dylan Windler has fought his way back onto the court following his second season dealing with injuries.
After rehabbing for 3-4 months of the offseason, Windler is ready to roll: “I’m in a good headspace right now. My knee is the best since I’ve been here.”\
Prior to getting injured in March, Windler was playing very well, shooting 40% from three point range in January and February. The hope for Windler is that he can help Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff with his three-point shooting playing alongside point guard Darius Garland and big man Evan Mobley.
If the Cavs are going to take a step forward in 2021-22, it will have to start with the wings.