INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- With a jam-packed upcoming schedule that limits practice time, the Cleveland Cavaliers organization has discussed plans for injured rookie Dylan Windler to get some work in the G League ahead of his eventual NBA debut.

Sources say the Cavs haven’t yet compared their upcoming schedule in detail with the Canton Charge -- the G League affiliate -- to determine if there’s a logical match. But they’ve had cursory discussions about the potential and believe it would be helpful to first let Windler test his leg, shake off some rust, build a bit of confidence and take contact before throwing him into live, NBA game action.

Everything is being discussed, from him practicing in Canton with the Charge, to the G League squad coming to Cleveland Clinic Courts, to Windler playing a game or two with Canton.

According to sources, Windler, who is itching to return but was also reminded recently about the trickiness of this particular injury and the length of the season, would be on board with the G League portion of the plan.

“He just wants to hoop," a source said.

If the timing works out, it would likely be at some point following Cleveland’s upcoming three-game road trip, which begins Monday night in New York -- the second game of a back-to-back following Sunday’s home matinee against Philadelphia.

The Cavs return from the three-city trip on Saturday, Nov. 23 to host the Portland Trail Blazers. That’s also the second of a back-to-back after playing the Mavericks in Dallas the night before.

That matchup against Portland is the beginning of a six-game homestand, but with no extra days in between games, the Cavs don’t currently have a practice on their schedule for that week. The first scheduled practice after their return home is early December. While that could always change, Beilein has been attempting to mix in some off days, understanding the importance of rest and recovery.

The lengthy stay in Cleveland for Thanksgiving week, however, would theoretically make it easier from a scheduling standpoint to either send Windler to Canton or have the Charge come to Cleveland Clinic Courts so Windler can practice with them under the watchful eye of trainer Steve Spiro and team medical staff on a Cavaliers off day. That, again, would have to work with Canton’s schedule -- a tough match as the Charge begin a four-game road trip starting next Sunday.

Windler, the 26th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, has been sidelined since the start of training camp in early October because of a stress reaction in his left leg. While he has been able to do more one-on-one and two-on-two drills recently, progressing each day, Windler hasn’t yet been cleared for full contact.

“With that injury, any recurrence means we probably lose him for the season. So we don’t want that to happen,” Cavaliers head coach John Beilein said Saturday following practice. “He wasn’t able to do anything. He’s still not. Wish I could give you a date.

"One of our things that we need very badly is movement off the ball. He’s one of the best cutters out there. He’s natural at it while we are teaching the others. ... I think we are almost last in the league in 3-point shooting, so we could use that too. Can’t wait till he gets there. Maybe we send him to the G League for a little bit, do something just to get him going.”

The Cavs have taken a cautious approach with Windler. The initial timeline was estimated at 4-6 weeks. That marker has already passed, and sources say, while there is still no specific date for his return, his absence could extend into December. There are many factors they have to weigh before his much-anticipated NBA debut.

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