For the Cavaliers and Rockets, it was a good sign, as Cedi Osman and Alperen Sengun are off to a good start this summer.
Osman (Cavs) scored 17 points and Sengun (Rockets) added 15, lifting Turkey to a 96-70 win win over Ukraine in an exhibition game ahead of the 2022 Eurobasket in Istanbul. The games officially begin Sept. 1 and end Sept. 18.
Overall, Turkey has seven NBA players on its roster, and in this particular game, Furkan Korkmaz of the 76ers added 14 points.
Osman in particular is entering a critical season, as it seems his future in Cleveland is very much up in the air. He was in Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff‘s doghouse for part of last season, and is one of a glut of wings on the roster — which also includes Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, rookie Ochai Agbaji and presumably Collin Sexton, a restricted free agent.
The Cavs have discussed Osman in several trade scenarios this offseason, sources have told Hoops Wire. But for now, his focus is on the Turkish national team and so far, it’s been going a-OK.
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