With few other options to turn to, the Cleveland Cavaliers will lean on a sub-six-foot rookie to direct the team as their backup point guard.
Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters Sunday that Kay Felder, the 54th pick of this summer's draft, will back up Kyrie Irving at point guard.
"Right now we'll say he's going to be our backup point guard for right now," Lue said.
"Kay has been great. He's picking up the plays, picking up the terminology. It's a different game than college and we know that," Lue added.
Through two weeks of preseason action, the diminutive Felder has managed to make a strong impression on the reigning champions. The 21-year-old holds averages of 10.4 points and 4.2 assists in 25 minutes per game through five preseason contests.
However, Felder's anointment is as much one of meritocracy as it's one of necessity.
Cleveland lost Matthew Dellavedova (free agency) and Mo Williams (retirement) this summer and have nobody else to turn to. They have plenty of playmaking between the likes of Irving and LeBron James, but they need someone who can soak up minutes so that their stars aren't over-extended during the arduous regular season.
To that end, Cleveland may still look to address their point guard woes in free agency. The team is said to be interested in free agent guard Mario Chalmers, but he's still recovering from a torn Achilles. Norris Cole, another potential target for Cleveland, took his talents to China.
