Cavs: 3 reasons to strongly consider Onyeka Okongwu in 2020 NBA Draft

#3: Replenishing big man depth

The Cleveland Cavaliers currently have Love, Drummond, Tristan Thompson and Larry Nance Jr. in their rotation in meaningful minutes. Thompson missed most of Cleveland’s game against the Spurs and the Cavs’ win on Tuesday at the Chicago Bulls due to a right eye abrasion, but when healthy, he’ll typically warrant plenty of minutes still off the bench.

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In a few months, however, there’s seemingly a high possibility that Thompson, who is on an expiring contract, is going to sign elsewhere this offseason. Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca suggested TT would be a prime sign-and-trade candidate, and that again, seems feasible.

After all, Thompson’s camp (he is represented by Klutch Sports and agent Rich Paul), wanted him to be dealt by the 2020 trade deadline, too. Plus, even with the Cavaliers playing better of late under Bickerstaff, given that Love reportedly preferred to be dealt before the deadline, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, nobody would be shocked if the Wine and Gold traded Love this offseason.

For a team rebuilding, I’d get if they went that route, and even though Love is set to make $91.5 million over the next three seasons following 2019-20, with a weak free agent class, I’d imagine Love would warrant a decent return for Cleveland.

He will seemingly have more suitors after playing really well the past few months and being a better teammate, too.

In relation to Drummond, he could opt into his $28.8 million player option for next season, or potentially opt out and seek out a big-time free agent deal, but I’d think there’s a high possibility that Drummond would opt into his player option, with so few teams having considerable cap space this summer.

Anyhow, even with just Thompson potentially gone this offseason, the Cavs could absolutely use another key rotational or even starting big to develop in coming years, and Okongwu would fill that role very well over time I believe, and if he opted in, Drummond could help bring along Okongwu as a mentor to some degree.

Early on, the 19-year-old USC big man that’ll hope to lead the Trojans to a solid run in March Madness could at minimum, fill a role reminiscent of a young Thompson right away, that was a rock solid bench contributor and occasional starter, and a younger replacement for TT, if he signs elsewhere, wouldn’t be all bad in a rebuild.

Okongwu has a nonstop motor, and is an active rolling and screening presence that can feasibly play some at both the 4 and 5 spots at a listed 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds.

On the season, Okongwu has done nothing but help his stock the upcoming draft, as he’s had 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30.6 minutes per game, according to Sports Reference. His offensive rebounding rate of 12.4 percent has been pretty darn impressive, too, and his timing and toughness in that regard would help Cleveland right away next season as a young energy big.

The next reason Cleveland should strongly consider selecting Okongwu in the 2020 NBA Draft is his potential as an inside-out threat.