Cavs should draft Duke’s R.J. Barrett if they have the top selection
The Cleveland Cavaliers are circulating around the top pick for the 2019 NBA Draft, as they’re currently the second-worst team in the NBA record-wise. Though a possible top selection could be difficult when it comes to who to take, it’s obvious to this author who should be taken.
All of the buzz surrounding college basketball this season has been about the Duke Blue Devils. With four of the ESPN top-twenty recruits playing under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, it’s been a season of magnified expectations for the Blue Devils. At the forefront of it all has been the hype around Zion Williamson, the consensus top 2019 NBA Draft pick to most people at this time.
Williamson, who stands at six-foot-eight while weighing 285 pounds, is a physical specimen that receives a nightly spot on ESPN due to a highlight-reel dunk he performs in nearly every game. His potential is what has the majority of folks salivating at the mouth. However, I’m not convinced that his game will translate to the next level.
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So who should the Cleveland Cavaliers have their sights set on? It should be more than obvious, it’s R.J. Barrett.
If you’ve watched any Duke games this year and look for the most complete body of work on the team, the answer is easily Barrett. He may not have the flashiness of Williamson but let’s be clear here, that doesn’t necessarily matter. Barrett’s efficiency as an offensive player is one of the main reasons he should be at the top of everyone’s draft boards this June.
Barrett’s knack for taking what the defense gives him is a trait not many college kids have. He likes to operate a lot in isolation but does have success on the pick-and-roll a lot, with Williamson using backdoor motion to find his way to the rim as the non-screener. As a result, he’s averaging 3.8 assists as Duke’s second playmaker behind Tre Jones.
But let’s not get confused about why Barrett’s offensive upside is through the roof. His ability to pull up and hit from just inside the perimeter is something dangerous, as seen with guys like DeMar DeRozan who have made a career off of such a shot. The freshman out of Montverde Academy is very good at stopping on a dime and connecting on a mid-range jumper, especially if there’s a ton of traffic in the paint. He recognizes that he doesn’t need to go to the key every single time to be productive and it’s worked wonders for him.
Overall, he’s hitting 45 percent of his shots.
That percentage is encouraging, considering two factors. Firstly, Barrett is taking a wide array of shots, from up-close to behind the arc. Secondly, Barrett still isn’t super consistent from three-point land.
While shooting 32 percent from three-point range isn’t superb, there shouldn’t be any questions about Barrett finding his way to 40 percent or higher from the perimeter. He’s not a struggling or limited scorer who can only count on one aspect of his offensive game. He’s got an arsenal that can stifle opposing defenders, a delightful thought when it comes to his game translating to the NBA.
Barrett also has three thirty-point games this season while sharing the spotlight with Williamson and Cam Reddish.
Defensively, Barrett is steady and sound. His footwork around the arc is elite, as his first step off-the-dribble is enough to make the offensive player question his own moves. At times, Barrett’s pressure on the ball-handler creates an opportunity for a Duke takeaway, whether it’s Barrett swiping the rock or the opposing squad forcing a bad pass into the zone. A zone defense can leave a lot of questions to be asked about top prospects’ man-to-man defense. However, Barrett has answered the test quite a few times this season against top talent.
When it comes to high-risk/high-reward, Barrett provides a high ceiling. It’s such a risk regarding other top prospects, that being a team’s worry if their selection can reach the upper echelon of the league. Barrett’s floor, in my opinion, is an All-Star player that is a 1A or 1B option on a championship-level organization.
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As for his ceiling? Well, he could be extremely special.
The Cavaliers would be foolish not to draft the best player in this upcoming draft, especially when he’s not so much of a gamble. All of the signs are pointing to Barrett, so now Cleveland just needs to pay attention to them.