Given the current state of the Cleveland Cavaliers, virtually everyone is a candidate to be traded. One report indicates that second-year forward Cedi Osman is a potential trade piece for the rebuilding Cavaliers, with the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly checking him out.
Sam Amico of Amico Hoops offered that bit of information in a discussion of the many different Cavs that could be dealt elsewhere:
“The Los Angeles Clippers are one team with a supposed interest in Osman.”
Amico makes clear that the Cavaliers aren’t actively shopping the 23-year-old Osman, who was acquired by the team in a draft night deal in 2015. After playing two years overseas, he signed with Cleveland in July 2017 and was a part of the team last year that made its fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals:
“By all indications the Cavs are not ready to give up on Osman. They would ask for a lot more than they could probably get for him in a trade. They are viewing it as if this is really his rookie season, since his playing time was sporadic last year. And he does indeed look like a rookie. What is a bit concerning is he’s suddenly having fewer games where you think he has All-Star potential.”
In 25 games this season, the 6-foot-8 Osman is averaging 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists. All of those numbers are virtually double what he was producing last season, but a comparative look at his average minutes per game puts them in a sharper perspective. Last season, he averaged just 11 minutes per game in 61 contests, while he’s now averaging 32 minutes and has started 24 of the 25 games in which he’s played this season.
LeBron James’ departure in free agency has resulted in the Cavaliers embarking on a rebuilding effort. While originally not planning to completely overhaul the roster, a change in philosophy was made after the team got off to a miserable start that included losing its first six games. That performance ended up costing former head coach Tyronn Lue his job.
Since that time, veteran players such as Kyle Korver and George Hill have been traded and J.R. Smith is expected to sent away at some point. Whether the final list of Cavaliers includes Osman at some point remains to be seen.
