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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sometimes a change of scenery, new system and bigger opportunity can all crystallize, making the perfect mix for a breakout season.

The Cavaliers hope that’s the case with Sam Dekker -- a 2015 first-round pick who was once part of a blockbuster trade involving future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul.

In the run-up to the Cavs' 2018-19 training camp that starts with media day on Sept. 24, cleveland.com is taking a look at each roster player and what might be expected of him this season if this team is to survive LeBron James' departure and make a legitimate run at a playoff spot.

With LeBron in Los Angeles and Tyronn Lue favorite Jeff Green signing with the Washington Wizards, the Cavs need Dekker to fill a suddenly-thin combo forward role -- vital for a team that covets positional versatility. They would also be pleasantly surprised if Dekker reached the potential he showed as a prep star in Wisconsin.

Let’s not get too far ahead.

While Cleveland looks to provide the opportunity Dekker's been seeking, a chance to write the latest chapter in what has been an underwhelming NBA story to this point, it’s up to him to first hone an inadequate offensive skill set, find a position and develop a more reliable long-range shot -- areas that have led to a rocky, nomadic three-year stretch.

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Season rewind

Dekker, one of eight players involved in the Paul deal between the Clippers and Rockets, arrived in Los Angeles hoping to build on his sophomore campaign. It didn't go according to plan.

The 24-year-old swingman averaged 4.2 points on 49.4 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from 3-point range in 12.1 minutes.

An unreliable outside shot the biggest hinderance to his development, Dekker made multiple 3-pointers in just two of the 73 games he played in Los Angeles. The number of double-digit scoring games was sliced in half compared to his 2016-17 season with the Rockets.

After struggling to carve out a role early, Dekker earned consistent playing time one month into the regular season. But in late January, Danilo Gallinari's return from injury and Tobias Harris' arrival from Detroit bumped Dekker out of the rotation, receiving more than 10 minutes in just six of the final 32 games.

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Great expectations

While Dekker can play either forward spot, he is much more effective as an undersized power forward, allowing him to take advantage of his speed, quickness and athleticism going to the rim while trying to mask a shaky perimeter game.

In the James era, the Cavaliers relied heavily on the 3-pointer, finishing top five all four seasons.

The lack of a respectable outside shot hindered Iman Shumpert, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Jae Crowder last season -- a quartet that struggled to fit Cleveland’s bombs away identity. Whether that remains the barometer for the team’s success in what will be a wildly different season remains to be seen. But it will likely answer a lingering question about how much Dekker can contribute.

No matter what happens with Dekker, this was a low-cost move for the Cavs, only having to give up the draft rights to Vladimir Veremeenko and use a trade exception to fit Dekker's low, team-friendly rookie-scale salary. Why not take a chance? The Cavs get one year to evaluate Dekker in their system, surrounded by the new core that is expected to keep Cleveland competitive in this transition phase.

After deciding the team’s course with Kevin Love’s extension, general manager Koby Altman wanted to round out the roster with young, ascending players who have untapped potential.

Dekker fits the mold.

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The Cavaliers will rely on Sam Dekker's athleticism and versatility to fill a few holes at the forward spot. (Getty Images)

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Contract status

Decker has one year left on his contract before he can become a restricted free agent. He is set to make $2.7 million this season and has a qualifying offer worth $3.9 million in the summer of 2019.

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How Cleveland got him

The Cavs traded the draft rights to Vladimir Veremeenko for Dekker and the draft rights to Renaldas Seibutis. They used the Kyrie Irving trade exception before it expired at the end of August to fit Dekker into the salary cap.

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I don’t post much personal stuff on Twitter, but... 1 month married to my best friend😍 still beaming from the love from our friends and family on this special weekend. God has blessed us beyond measure pic.twitter.com/pdnWm9ew4U — Olivia Harlan Dekker (@OliviaDekker) August 14, 2018

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Big summer news

There must have been something in the Cleveland air this summer. Dekker, like new teammate Larry Nance Jr. and GM Altman, got married. Dekker exchanged vows with ESPN reporter Olivia Harlan Dekker at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club in Wisconsin. The two spent their honeymoon in Greece -- a few weeks before the trade with Los Angeles was finalized. Perhaps the trade was a belated wedding gift.

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