3 reasons Jalen Smith should be considered in 2020 NBA Draft if Cavs acquire another first-rounder

Reason #3: Smith’s low-post/scoring polish inside

Jalen Smith came back for his sophomore season at Maryland, seemingly to work more on his overall game.

Though Big Ten conference play has not gotten under way yet, that’s likely proven to have worked out well for Smith.

CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone hit on how that should pay off for Smith, too, before the 2019-20 NCAA Men’s Basketball season got underway, and Boone highlighted how Smith has had the same approach that prior Terps big Bruno Fernando, who is now on the Atlanta Hawks, had last season.

"“Smith is on the Bruno Fernando plan. A year ago, Fernando put the NBA on hold, came back and dominated, and was drafted no. 34 overall. This offseason, Smith decided he’d do the same.”"

Granted, though according to Jeff Ermann of 247 Sports’ Maryland coverage, Smith could stay at Maryland for more than two seasons, and Ermann noted by Smith was at 38th in ESPN’s recent 2020 mock draft (subscription required), Smith as the season goes on, would seem to be a lower first-rounder. I still believe he’ll eventually come out after the 2019-20 season.

I wouldn’t imagine Smith will be a lottery pick, but he is a player that has showed good touch as a finisher, and he’s shown he can consistently secure low-post position and he often converted in that way last season for the currently no. 3-ranked Terps, and I see him doing so this year as the Terps’ key cog big, too.

In 2018-19, Smith had 11.7 points in 26.7 minutes per game, and converted on 56.3% of his two-point attempts, as noted by Sports Reference. So far this season, Smith has averaged 13.6 points in 27.4 minutes per game, and is hitting 55.9% of his two-pointers.

Smith converts well after deliveries from the likes of Maryland’s Anthony Cowan, Eric Ayala and even had nice chemistry with Fernando with big-to-big feeds last season, too. Anyhow, Cleveland, if Thompson is dealt, especially or if he signs elsewhere next offseason, could use a developmental post presence, and Smith has sound footwork for a young player at just 19 years old.

That often results in easy baskets for him from sealing off defenders, and Smith does a nice job spinning away from opponents and getting it done inside of about ten feet off the glass. I’d think we’ll see more of a jump hook game from him as well this season, too.

Along with that touch, Smith times his rolls and cuts very effectively, and is a no-nonsense finisher when opportunities arise, and he’s more than capable of dunking with authority.

With the likes of Cavs young pieces Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman in pick-and-roll ball-handling situations in coming years, and feasibly Kevin Porter Jr., Smith could be a really nice roll man pocket pass and/or post delivery target on the strong side for those players. The current Maryland sophomore big has proven to be a more than capable lob threat, too, and his passing feel is improving.

That was on display on Wednesday against Notre Dame in a big win, where, according to Sports Reference, he had a career-high five assists, to go with 15 points.

Smith also runs the floor well and is always a threat to finish in transition and secondary transition, too. That aspect is something I’m sure Cleveland head coach John Beilein and the rest of the Cavs’ coaching staff would love as well.