There is a massive opportunity for a Cavs guard to step up and rise to the occasion. Even before the Jaylon Tyson news, this was already going to be the case. But now, even moreso. With the team set to battle the Bucks on Saturday night, the spark could become the revelation.

It’s already become very apparent that Meleek Thomas is a game-changer and difference-maker. But could he turn into a star right before our very eyes, right in the first couple of weeks of his career?

Thomas, pending his return after missing a game with a foot issue, could be locked in as the de facto 6th/7th man with Sam Merrill. Let’s talk about the chance in front of him and some of the lasting effects a strong performance could have.

Looking For A Triumphant Return

After Meleek Thomas was ruled out against Atlanta, the excitement of watching did dwindle for some in Cleveland. The team also knew they would be without their spark from the prior two games against both Washington and Minnesota. That scoring punch wasn’t there, and even the defense faced a bit of a void.

Now that he’s coming back, he’s doing so in a way that the Cavs hope can propel him forward. Thomas has proven right off the bat how impactful he can be. A matchup against a Bucks team that ranks #28 in points allowed per game could have him licking his chops. Jaylon Tyson being out jumps him that spot mentioned above, and what he chooses to do with will say a lot.

During the Summer League, Thomas proved to be one of the best scorers in all of Las Vegas. And in the preseason, he was making his shots. The fact that his first NBA quarter saw him score eight points just goes to show that a confident player that works on their craft can indeed succeed. Surprise, surprise.

A triumphant return after a one game absence would be fantastic for the upstart rookie. And earn him more attempts and playmaking opportunities.

Preparing For Crucial Stretch

The Cavs season is a long one, and there are stretches that sometimes define what type of campaign it will be. The team being one game over .500 at Christmas last season proved that sometimes it takes until late and having the right combinations before you can get hot.

 A (possible) win over the Bucks would get the team to 4-2. Before two battles with the Thunder and a back-to-back with the Sixers and Knicks await in a six day span a week from now.They need to show what they can do in that week. The Bucks game, against a team that struggles to defend, has to be the imprint game.

Cleveland is yet to dominate anybody. They have not put a complete performance together yet. Could this be the one for them? Meleek Thomas leading the bench. The team’s starting lineup finally getting everybody rolling on the same day.

They sure could use it. A team win to close out the week on a high.