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Cavs: Billy Preston discusses his expectations for his rookie season

By Quenton S. Albertie

LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 16: Billy Preston #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 16: Billy Preston #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Billy Preston feels blessed to be with the Cleveland Cavaliers and he’s ready to improve in every facet this season.

A 6-foot-10 power forward boasting tremendous fluidity and athleticism for a big man, Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Billy Preston has a combination of youth and two-way potential that makes him a more exciting prospect than the typical two-way signing.

In a revealing interview with Joe Gabriele of Cavs.com, the 20-year-old admitted that he wishes he could have played in college. A five-star recruit for the University of Kansas, an NCAA investigation of whether or not Preston received impermissible benefits would lead to him choosing to take his talents overseas.

However, a lingering shoulder injury quickly derailed that idea and he ended up playing in just three games (he averaged 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game).

Looking back, Preston says that though he wishes he could have played in college because it would have allowed him to get more exposure prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, it was all “God’s plan.”

Preston would also talk about his expectations for the upcoming season.

In sum, the two-way player expects to play quite a few games with the Canton Charge — the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA G-League affiliate — in order for him to develop. However, he’s ready to chip in on the Cavs’ 15-man roster as well.

Per Gabriele:

"“Whatever (the coaching staff) has planned for me or whatever they think is best — if they want me to go down to Canton and play a couple of games or however many games it is, to develop and get better as a professional, then that’s what I’ll do,” said the 6-10 forward. “But if they feel I can help the Cavs, then that’s something I’ll do too. It’s all in the coaches’ hands and I’m good with either.”"

Preston will likely get a chance to play meaningful minutes for the Cavs this season for two reasons.

The primary reason is that there are a few big men in front of him with less than ideal injury histories.

All-Star power forward Kevin Love missed 23 games last season, mostly due to a fractured hand. He missed 22 games the season before, with various injuries, and he missed nearly the entire 2015 postseason with a dislocated shoulder. He missed 91 regular season games between 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.

Center Tristan Thompson, who was once considered the team’s ironman, missed 29 games last season. Fellow center Larry Nance Jr. missed 16 games last season and has yet to play more than 66 games in a season.

As much as the team likes center Ante Zizic, the fact is that it’s highly possible that at least one of the team’s most important big men will be injured, eventually.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ other two-way player, guard John Holland, appeared in 24 games last season (averaging 7.3 minutes per game) after a string of injuries left the team’s guard corps depleted. That’s akin to the situation Preston could find himself in.

In the meantime, Preston will be working on enhancing his craft.

A player with all the tools, just ones that need to be sharpened and put together to make him ‘the whole package,’ Preston plans on working on ever facet of his game:

"“Everything. Of course, defense, but also, trying to get to the basket more, not settling for jump shots. But mainly on the defensive end and rebounding.”"

That his main focus is defense and rebounding when he’s so skilled offensively shows a level of maturity not every player has.

Preston showed throughout the Las Vegas Summer League that he can be a versatile impact defender, guarding players out on the perimeter or getting up for a block around the rim.

If he can stay on the court because of his defense and rebounding, he’ll be hard to get off it when he sharpens up his offensive game.

To that point, Preston’s acknowledgement that he needs to get to the basket to use his size more is a key step.

Shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range in the Summer League, it’s clear that Preston can stroke it. He just needs to work on his shot-selection and tendency to settle for tough jumpers because with his combination of size and athleticism, he should be a walking mismatch inside the paint.

When he puts it all together — seriously — the league is going to have to watch out.

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*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com