Cleveland Cavaliers to select Trae Young in latest SI Mock Draft
In the latest Sports Illustrated mock draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Oklahoma University phenom Trae Young with the 8th pick.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who still have Finals aspirations, will have a quick turn around as far as the mindset of the front office goes. From the Finals to the draft in the time span of just a few weeks, the Cavs front office will have a few insane weeks before relaxing for the offseason.
The Cavs, who traded Kyrie Irving this past summer, received the Brooklyn Nets pick in this upcoming draft from the Boston Celtics in that deal. The pick, that is assumed to land in the top 10, has a 3% chance to land at No. 1.
However, assuming it lands at No. 8, the Cavaliers, according to Sports Illustrated’s latest mock draft, will select Trae Young. Trae Young was incredible this past season. He is a dynamic scorer that also possesses a rare passing ability, but Young’s size has some scouts questioning his readiness for the physical nature of the NBA.
Young, who did it at all at the University of Oklahoma, had a historic season as just a freshman. Young averaged 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. Almost more impressive was Young’s 3.7 triples per game and the range that he showed with those triples.
His uncanny ability to break defenders down makes him one of the NCAA’s most coveted players, even at just 6-foot-2. Young has already been receiving comparisons to the NBA’s only unanimous MVP, Steph Curry.
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Young also has critics though. They argue how his stats wouldn’t be near as inflated if he wasn’t the only scoring option on the Sooners roster. Along with the aforementioned issue with his physicality, not every scout is a fan of Young’s, but most do at least acknowledge his superstar potential.
SI gave us a brief look at why they had Cleveland select Young at No. 8. Here’s a key excerpt from their much lengthier article.
"He’s slippery off the dribble and showed flashes of special talent early in the season, able to score from deep, initiate offense and find teammates off the drive. In a situation where you’re not asking too much of him too soon, his upside should be a reasonable gamble."
DeAndre Ayton, who is bound to go No. 1, is joined by Marvin Bagley and Luka Doncic as the top three picks. Following those three, the rest of the lottery is just educated guessing. After the top tier of players, each team will have their own big board, so there is potential for Young to not even on the board at No. 8.
Assuming he is, I believe the Cavs would snag him up unless some miracle happens and Luka Doncic or Marvin Bagley fall to No. 8. Or, maybe the ping pong balls fall in the Cavs favor and they slide up a few spots.
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However the draft pans out, drafting Trae Young would not be a mistake.