Ineligible Man Downfield: Considering the Cavs' draft options with a few weeks to go
Plus all of the news you might have missed.
The NBA Draft is Rapidly Approaching.
In less than two weeks, it will somehow be November. And we are here to talk about the most important thing happening in that month: The NBA Draft.
The Draft Lottery happened on August 20, which at this point feels like 13 years ago. As a refresher, the Cavs secured the fifth pick in what many consider to be a porous draft class with no clear cut superstar and plenty of prospects with glaring holes in their game. If THAT doesn’t get you excited for draft night on Nov. 18, I don’t know what will.
With the draft getting pushed back to the back end of 2020, it’s given us extra time to poke, prod and dissect the top prospects. There have been what feels like 200 mock drafts, copious workout videos and tweets. So many tweets.
With the light finally showing at the end of the draft tunnel, here’s where it seems the consensus stands on the crop of five young whippersnappers the Cavs legitimately have a shot at drafting.
Yes Please!
Onyeka Okongwu, USC
James Wiseman got more press, in part due to the “scandal” surrounding him at Memphis, but Onyeka Okongwu might be the better big. The USC frosh is consistently compared to Bam Adebayo when it comes to body type and skillset, and after watching what Bam did for a Miami Heat team that made it to the NBA Finals this season, it’s hard not to salivate. Okongwu moves incredibly well and would be a perfect pick and roll partner for Sexton and Garland. He can run the floor, flashes some handles and looks to be able to switch out on guards when screened. He didn’t shoot a lot at USC, but has the capability to hit from mid-range and has stated in interviews that he feels confident he’ll eventually be able to step out and hit the NBA three (for what that’s worth).
Plus, he’s said things like “playing hard is a skillset” and he prefers playing defense over offense. Just seems like a guy that would do wonders for the Cavs.
Devin Vassell, Florida State
Let’s start with this: The Cavs need a wing, and they need one badly. Standing 6-7 and already possessing the tools to be an elite perimeter defender, Vassell would do wonders for the Cavs abysmal defense. And we haven’t even talked about his three point shot yet! Vassell hit from deep at a 41.5 percent clip last season at FSU, and though recent video of his, uh, retooled shot mechanics is a bit worrisome, he should be able to help space the floor with his shooting. And though he’s a bit on the skinny side, he can be explosive at the rim. The highlight reel of his dunks is worth the watch alone.
OK, I’m Intrigued
Isaac Okoro, Auburn
I don’t like him as much as Vassell, but Isaac Okoro is the nest best thing. Okoro is 6-6 and strong, and would instantly become the Cavs best defensive player guarding the perimeter. For a team that bleeds points, that’s a big deal. He’s also a terrific finisher around the rim (another thing the Cavs are sorely lacking) and looks like he’s deft at moving without the ball.
But Okoro can’t really shoot. He shot just 28.6 percent from deep as a freshman at Auburn, and made free throws at a 67.4 percent clip. That’s bad! In a league where shooting has become everything, it’s hard to play a guy who defenses don’t have to worry about outside of the paint. The biggest question here is whether or not he can become a shooter defenses have to pay attention to.
Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Cavs Twitter seems to be decidedly out on Deni, and there’s definitely reasons to justify it. He shot just 33.6 percent from deep for Maccabi Tel Aviv, and his disastrous 52 percent shooting from the free throw line doesn’t even make sense. He also didn’t score a ton, at just 14.1 points per 36 minutes.
But….there’s a lot of intrigue with Deni. For one, he’s a magnificent passer. He can push in transition and throw an arsenal of “wow” passes, and with both Sexton and Garland being extremely limited in the distribution category, Deni’s passing should carry a lot of weight. When it comes to his poor shooting, his mechanics are by no means broken. He looks smooth shooting, but just doesn’t always do so in rhythm. I’d be relatively optimistic with NBA coaching that he becomes a serviceable 3-point shooter.
I get why people don’t like him. But I think there’s more than enough there to take a chance on him.
Nope Nope Nope
Obi Toppin, Dayton
Toppin’s a fine player, he just doesn’t fit any needs the Cavs have. He’s a bit undersized for the position he’ll play in the NBA, is a sieve on defense and would be fairly redundant with guys already on the roster like Kevin Love, Larry Nance and Tristan Thompson. His age (22) is working against him, too. He’s a gifted scorer, but you wonder if he’ll be able to be as explosive as he was in college at the NBA level. The Cavs don’t really need another forward whose best (and maybe sole) attribute is scoring. — Jordan Zirm
ICYMI
A Cavs mock where they take Obi Toppin ($)
And another! ($)
Per Mary Kay Cabot, David Njoku still wants out
Njoku took to Twitter to deny the report, kind of (Check Mary Kay’s reply too.)
Good Matt Lyons words on the best Bieber
Rookie corner Prince Smith has been added to the Browns’ practice squad
Locked on Cavs on WKYC talking Tyrese Haliburton, among other things
The Cavs extended their partnership with iHeart Media
One thing to read today
News 5’s Camryn Justice talked to Dan Orlovsky about what Baker can do to improve
Who we are
Chris Manning: Site Manager at Fear the Sword, co-host of the Locked on Cavs podcast, words at places like Cleveland Magazine and Forbes. On Twitter @cwmwrites
Jordan Zirm: Social editor at @TheCheckdown. Formerly of ESPN Cleveland. Words at B/R, SB Nation and UPROXX. Host of The Rebuild podcast. On Twitter @clevezirm
Photo: USA Today