Cavs 2020 NBA Draft: Even if 3 part doesn’t come, defense would justify Isaac Okoro pick

Glancing at what would be Okoro’s offensive outlook for the Cleveland Cavaliers

When glancing at what would likely be Okoro’s offensive role, that’d be as a driver more so than as a spot-up/floor spacing threat. Okoro is listed at a solid 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, and he can get his way to the paint often.

Along those lines, while one would’ve liked Okoro to have hit more than 67.2 percent of his free throws, he did get to the line 4.8 times per game, which played into him averaging 12.9 points for Auburn. That’s a healthy amount, and that seemingly indicates he’ll get his share of free throws in games with him being quick and often drawing whistles.

That’s something we don’t see enough of from the likes of Osman, and also, that sort of driving threat would bring an added slashing threat in stretches alongside Sexton.

Plus, while his 2.0 assists per outing to 2.0 turnovers didn’t show it, Okoro could over time bring more of a secondary playmaking and more so pick-and-roll ball handling element to Cleveland than Osman. That’s with Okoro being a more effective driver and finisher in settled offense off-the-bounce, and Okoro excels in transition also, both as a ball handler and cutter.

Okoro finishes with authority and nice body control as a cutter in both settled offense with both hands, along with that, which would mesh well with pieces such as Kevin Love, Garland, Porter and Larry Nance Jr.

So again, even if the perimeter shot does not end up developing into him being a floor spacing presence, what stands out is still the defensive capability for Okoro.

In the 2020 NBA Draft for the Cleveland Cavaliers, in particular, they need to highly value the defensive end I believe. Okoro is up there in terms of prospects that could have arguably the biggest defensive impact in the upcoming draft, too, with Okongwu perhaps.

Even if the three part of the “three-and-D” label doesn’t come for Okoro, his defensive prowess would more than justify his selection from my perspective. Okoro should have a long, successful career in the league just from that alone and how he could impact winning.