In what could be the first in a series of bad news for the Cleveland Cavaliers, a new report indicates that there could be an extended delay before one of their newest acquisitions takes the court again. That source states that point guard Isaiah Thomas may be out until at least January and possibly until the All-Star break because of his injured hip.
And here's @JasonLloydNBA on how important that Nets pick is to the Cavs, and some 👀 speculation on IT's hip: https://t.co/vwOYYj4iKW pic.twitter.com/lVCWw5EX79
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) September 1, 2017
Even with Irving, depth at point guard was an issue for the Cavaliers last season. That issue is magnified for the coming season, with limited options available for the team. Derrick Rose is capable of playing there, though his own checkered health is why the Cavaliers were able to sign him on an inexpensive one-year deal.
Behind Rose at point guard on the current roster is only second-year man Kay Felder, who saw minimal action with the team last year, and 35-year-old Jose Calderon. One possible option could be to re-sign free agent Deron Williams, who joined the team last season after being bought out by the Dallas Mavericks, though that seems unlikely.
That’s because Williams struggled to produce during the NBA Finals and apparently didn’t like being used off the bench by the team. That latter news came during a conversation between Richard Jefferson and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on the Road Trippin’ podcast that Jefferson and Channing Frye co-hosted:
McMenamin: “What about when you talk to him about coming off the bench for the Cavaliers?”
Jefferson: “His eyes did not light up, his eyes did not light up.”
Beyond that, the Cavaliers will likely have to rely on Rose to maintain his health and Felder to showed marked improvement from his rookie campaign. Trying to reach their fourth consecutive NBA Finals with such a gaping hole at an integral position continues to get tougher for the Cavs.
