3 defensive prospects Cavs could target in 2020 Draft if James Wiseman is off board

#1: Scottie Lewis – Wing, Florida

As KJG contributors have mentioned a number of times, the Cavs’ defense last year was atrocious, and again in the short term, it will probably be worse with the drafting of Garland. The Cavs defensively need everything all over the court, and if/when they trade Tristan Thompson and/or John Henson (who are both on expiring contracts), they’ll desperately need a big, but probably a couple that can be impact defenders.

The Cavs’ need of wings is just as glaring as the interior defense (maybe more ), though, as David Nwaba reportedly signed with the Brooklyn Nets earlier this offseason.

When you watch Scottie Lewis, a wing for Florida this upcoming season, what jumps out about him is his unbelievable athleticism, leaping ability and his finishing at the rim. While he won’t solve all the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defensive issues, he could give them a high quality defensive presence and toughness on the perimeter, and for reference, Lewis is currently listed at 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds (per 247 Sports).

Evan Daniels, the NCAA Basketball Recruiting Director for 247 Sports, and Josh Gershon, a scout and National Basketball Recruiting Analyst for 247 Sports, had this to say about Lewis (per Swamp 247’s Thomas Goldkamp).

"“You always appreciate a five-star prospect who shows the commitment to defense that Lewis does considering how rare it is. Lewis is absolutely elite on the defensive end due to his size, length, motor, competitive mental makeup, lateral quickness and feel. He wants to guard the opposing team’s best player and almost always does it at a high level.”"

This is something the Cavs desperately need. The Cavs don’t have the personnel to be a good defensive team, but they also have had bad defensive habits dating back to the end of their championship run, though hopefully the mostly-new coaching staff led by head coach John Beilein can change that.

Lewis again could give the Cavs a player on the wing that can be a quality defender at the point of attack, and realistically be a good on-ball defender right away on the perimeter that plays with sound technique and has the athleticism to eventually be a lockdown player on that end, which they currently don’t have at all.

Not only that, but with the motor Lewis has in wanting to defend the opposing teams’ best player and competitive mental makeup, he could be someone that could establish the right defensive culture needed going forward from the jump for Cleveland.