The Cleveland Cavaliers have a promising crop of young players, starting with All-Star Darius Garland and soon-to-be All-Star big man Evan Mobley.
But that crop also includes some intriguing role players and bit players, and one of them is swingman Dylan Windler.
He had a disappointing second season this year, averaging just 2.2 points in 9.2 minutes per game while shooting 37.8 percent overall and 30.0 percent from 3-point range.
As a rookie, he had shown some promise by averaging 5.2 points in 16.5 minutes a game while shooting a passable percentage from the field.
What would be a set of fair expectations for Winder in the 2022-23 season?
Windler Can Become A Better 3-point Shooter
During his time at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Windler developed into a pretty impressive outside shooter.
He made 42.6 percent of his 3-point shots as a junior and 42.9 percent of them in his senior season while averaging 21.3 points per game that year.
Coming into the 2019 NBA Draft, in which he was taken with the 26th overall pick, outside shooting was thought to be arguably Windler’s biggest strength.
But so far, it hasn’t translated into the NBA.
Early this season, however, he did offer a glimpse at what he could become if he ever fulfills his potential.
On Nov. 3 versus the Portland Trail Blazers, Windler went 4-of-5 from the field and hit all three of his 3-point attempts en route to 13 points and three assists in nearly 21 minutes.
Dylan Windler’s performance last night was highly encouraging, if he could develop into the sharpshooting Wing the Cavs desperately need, it would make the team’s inability to acquire one this past off-season null. Has the talent, just has to stay healthy. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/AEuhdAjhvd
— Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) November 4, 2021
Cleveland ranked 15th in 3-point shooting this season, and it especially needs help in that department from its wings.
A strong offseason of hard and smart work on his jumper would make Windler a much more valuable player to the Cavs moving forward.
Can Windler Contribute In Other Areas?
The Indianapolis native was also a good rebounder in college, averaging 10.8 boards as a senior.
At 6-foot-6 and just under 200 pounds, it’s unrealistic to expect him to be that much of a force on the boards in the NBA, but a bit of help on the defensive boards from him would help the Cavs.
Windler is also fairly athletic, and he has the ability to get out in transition at times and finish strong at the rim.
Defense to offense by Dylan Windler! pic.twitter.com/ZYYFEtqAau
— Leigh Ellis (@LeighEllis) January 26, 2021
Will Windler Get Enough Playing Time To Show Improvement?
Of course, if Windler continues to be glued to the bench, it won’t matter that much the amount of work he put in during the offseason.
Ahead of him on the depth chart at the wing spot are Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro, both of whom have shown more to date than Windler has.
There is also Caris LeVert, who was acquired by Cleveland in a mid-season trade, and if he finds consistency with his shooting stroke, he will almost certainly be given priority over Windler by head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
One way Windler can possibly earn more playing time is by staying healthy.
In two seasons, he has played a total of just 81 games, and if he is unable to stay healthy throughout an entire season, he will not get any consistent opportunities to prove that he has improved.
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