Backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova is set to play more minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers as the team suffers injury woes in their core roster that led them to the NBA Finals in June.

The Cavs announced on Wednesday that shooting guard Iman Shumpert will undergo a surgery on his right wrist, which would sideline him for 12-14 weeks. Shumpert’s injury is a major blow for the Cavs, who are already without All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for the start of their 2015-2016 NBA regular season campaign.

While Cleveland’s injury woes may put the team into a slight disarray in terms of player rotation early in the NBA season, missing some of the Cav’s key players on the point guard and shooting guard position could be a blessing in disguise for Dellavedova.

Dellavedova’s playing time came under threat when the Cavs signed veteran point guard Mo Williams during this summer’s free agency. With Shumpert’s wrist injury and Irving’s return from knee injury still uncertain, however, the Australian Boomers point guard could step up as the Cavs’ starting or second stringer come tip off.

“We have depth, and if there’s one position we have it at, it’s at the guard spot,” Lebron James said, reports Fox Sports . “With this injury, guys should be able to step in.”

Dellavedova was Cleveland’s cult-hero during the NBA Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. “Delly” re-signed with the Cavs for a one-year deal worth approximately US$1.2 million (AU$1.7 million).

Last season, he averaged 4.7 points and 2.8 assists, while playing 19.1 minutes per game. However, the 25-year-old Aussie’s numbers dramatically increased in the postseason, averaging 7.2 points and 2.7 assists, while playing 24.9 minutes per game.

Meanwhile, Irving has revealed his rehabilitation and recovery from a fractured right kneecap has not been easy, but the three-time All-Star has vowed the road to his NBA return is not something he could not overcome.

“Repairing or getting back from any knee injury is going to take a lot of physical and mental will,” Irving said, reports the USA Today. “So it’s testing, but not anything I can’t handle.”

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