3 wings Cavs should target if they acquire second first-rounder in 2020 NBA Draft

Precious Achiuwa: 6-foot-9 forward – Memphis

The 2020 NBA Draft remains incredibly intriguing to me and many others largely because of players like Memphis Tigers forward Precious Achiuwa.

Achiuwa has not been someone who has necessarily shown elite game-breaking abilities in each and every game this season, but has instead showcased just what the former 5-Star prospect originally from Bronx, New York can become in the NBA during his time thus far at Memphis.

Achiuwa’s potential as a two-way player is arguably more apparent than the vast majority of this NBA Draft pool and it has certainly shown through on the floor during his likely lone season under head coach Anfernee Hardaway at Memphis University. His overall defensive awareness is still developing but he brings a legitimately elite athleticism and length that will likely allow for a continued speedy development on that end of the floor.

Achiuwa has absolutely benefited from the absence (and exit) of the 2019 ESPN #1 recruit in James Wiseman, of which KJG’s own Corey Casey hit on, from a basic numbers standpoint as he would go on to become one of the 21-10 Memphis Tigers’ primary options on both ends of the floor as a result. The aforementioned Casey, in regards to defense, in particular, and myself have also hit on Achiuwa a bit before, too, but he continues to be a prospect I believe would fit so well with Cleveland.

The former 5-Star forward and ESPN #17 overall recruit has since gone on to average 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, as noted by Sports Reference. He is doing this while shooting an efficient 51.4 percent from inside the arc, 32.5 percent from outside the perimeter, and 49.3% from the field overall.

Achiuwa has relied heavily on his length and athleticism to create for himself during his time at Memphis, with his best buckets often coming in transition. Achiuwa is by no means an elite shooter, despite showing good to great touch at times from inside the arc and near the basket during his collegiate and high school career, and he has shown he could very well be a factor as a cutter at the next level in settled offense, which is encouraging for a player with his strength inside.

He will almost certainly have to develop a capable three-point shot once he reaches an NBA floor, but the simple fact that he is taking 1.3 attempts per game thus far in his collegiate career does show that he is at the least willing to shoot from behind the arc going forward and he can improve gradually in that area over time. That will likely be a big factor in deciding how effective Precious Achiuwa is, and what he is capable of becoming once he reaches an NBA floor.

He has the build and makeup of an elite two-way forward in the NBA, though, at 6-foot-9 and a sturdy 225 pounds and has played like a player capable of becoming just that during his days so far as a Memphis Tiger. The rest of his overall game must continue to develop like it has to reach the All-Star level potential that Achiuwa has flashed throughout largely the entirety of his young basketball career.

If the Cavs acquire a second first-round selection and opts to select Achiuwa, he fits very well next to the Cavaliers’ roster of young guards and veteran bigs (factoring in Drummond and Nance mostly) and could be a viable option at the 3 or 4 in coming years that could be a key piece in a variety of lineups.

Precious may not be the most notable name selected come June, but he certainly has the all-around potential to be one of this 2020 NBA Draft’s best players moving forward in the NBA and the Cleveland Cavaliers may very well be the perfect spot for the 20-year-old’s development given their current personnel, coaching staff headed by J.B. Bickerstaff, and overall roster.

Last but not least, the third target if the Cavs acquire a second first-rounder is a silky smooth wing.