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Dion Waiters will move from the starting lineup to a reserve role for tonight's game with the Utah Jazz. It is unclear why Waiters is being benched, or how long it will last. With backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova facing extended time out with a knee injury, this could very well be tied to the idea that the Cavaliers will need a capable ballhandler in the second unit.
Shawn Marion starting at shooting guard tonight. Dion Waiters off the bench for #Cavs
— Jason Lloyd (@JasonLloydABJ) November 6, 2014
Andre Knott of WTAM 1100 first had the news.
Still, if David Blatt staggers LeBron James and Kyrie Irving's minutes, there isn't really a need for another dominant ball handler to initiate offense. With reports today from Jason Lloyd that the Cavaliers want Waiters to defend and spot up from three, it doesn't necessarily follow that the team would jump at Waiters as a backup point guard so early in the season. That being said, an injury to Dellavedova could change their thinking.
It's at least worth thinking about the fact that Waiters acknowledged in reports today with Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group that he wants to start, and the notion that coming off the bench gives him the chance to dominate the ball is false. He finds himself coming off the bench tonight.
It's not worth drawing conclusions until we hear from David Blatt himself. I'm sure we will all be patient.