What’s it going to take to have Kyrie and Waiters mesh a little better? What is missing right now? Time? @kingF0X23
Do you think down the line Waiters can average 20 points per game in the NBA? @cuttymac1325
I lumped these together, because while not identical, they’re close enough. The 20-point question is a good one. Entering the weekend, there were only 11 players in the NBA averaging at least 20 points. Only three of those are shooting guards — Kobe Bryant, James Harden and Dwyane Wade. Those are the elite of the elite.
Can Waiters get there one day? Perhaps. More important, I like how he has eliminated a number of the foolish shots he was taking early in the season. Since he reclaimed his starting job, Waiters entered Friday’s game averaging 14.8 points and shooting 48 percent. The shooting percentage is more important to me than the points. Anything above 45 percent, for a rookie guard, is terrific in my eyes.
What’s Livingston’s contract like and will he be a part of the future? I sure hope so. @pzocker
Are we looking to re-sign Livingston, Speights and Ellington in the offseason? What are we going to do with Luke Walton? @SHEEEPPY
The Cavs have an interest in bringing back all of the players you just mentioned, but some are more likely to return than others. Shaun Livingston has revived his career here and will likely get looks from other teams around the league. The Cavs would love to bring him back, but he could get a better offer elsewhere.
The Cavs can control Wayne Ellington’s future and like what they’ve seen so far. They’d like to get him into a structured offseason program and see what transpires.
Speights will attract interest from other teams should he decline the option year and become a free agent. It’s not out of the question he returns, but he could command the biggest contract of the three you mentioned.
Think Waiters has a shot at ROY? Lillard the favorite right now? @dpaoloni
Waiters has played much better the past six weeks or so, as proven by his Rookie of the Month award, but Portland’s Damian Lillard has a stranglehold on the Rookie of the Year award right now. Barring injury, it’s his to lose.
But the Cavs are pleased with the progress Waiters has shown since returning to the starting lineup. He averaged 14.8 points and shot better than 50 percent in 12 February games. His overall shooting percentage is slowly climbing, but the overall improvement in his game looks legit.
