After his disaster class yesterday, I’ve seen a lot of reactionary comments that he’s not the guy or will never be the guy. But all I’m trying to say is that this is basically his SECOND year. How was Ant in his second year? How is Paolo? And who were their teammates and how much spacing did they get compared to Cade now?
Image Cade on the Magic right now instead of Paolo who has Franz, Suggs, Fultz on the side. Look at Paolo’s first 4 games this year and how much spacing he gets yet he still had those stats. Now imagine if Cade had Kat or Gobert and actual vets who can score like Ant has. Ant is currently making his massive leap in his FOURTH year. He doesn’t have teammates like Hayes, Stew, etc.
Looking at Cade’s games this years, I would honestly say that he’s doing FINE for being his second year only with the team he has. He’s exhausted forced to play 38-40 minutes a night. We’re overreacting because we’ve been losing for years and since Cade has been out for a year we FORGOT that this is his second year. Also, having 3+ crucial teammates out for several of his games doesn’t help either.
Cade might max out as a #2 or #3 option on a championship team. It’s certainly possible that is his ceiling. He might not be that guy. However, we have no way of knowing that at 22 coming off a lost season to injury.
The issues he has are fixable with not trying to be Luka while playing with non shooters most of the time. I love Duren and Ausar, but one of them needs to improve their range (likely Ausar) and the other two need to be knock down shooters (i.e Bogey or Burks) and/or be the type of guy who can generate their own offense (i.e. Jaden Ivey or Sasser).
We may have to trade for a complimentary piece. Stew seems like he can become a knock down shooter, but teams still don’t respect him. He might max out as an elite backup big with range (ex Naz Reid) which is a great thing to have.
Also more time can lead to his jumper improving and him making less careless turnovers. The biggest thing is having someone else he is playing with that defenses HAVE TO respect. A Zach Lavine type player (ideally with less injury history). If he’s not trying to carry bad offensive lineups where noone else is perceived as a threat his efficiency, turnovers, and production drop off in the second half could evaporate almost instantly.
People forget, but Cade was a guy who let the game come to him. One who gets his teammates going and takes over games in the 3rd and 4th. Out of necessity we have made him our offensive engine, which may not be his best role (particularly at this stage of his development). He could become great, but he obviously needs more talent around him or to play with some currently injured vets.