3 under-the-radar 2021 NBA Draft prospects for the Cavs to target

2021 under-the-radar target #1 for the Cleveland Cavaliers: Scottie Barnes – Wing/Forward, Florida State

Scottie Barnes may very well be the most polarizing player in terms of personality that basketball has seen in a while. He is exceptionally emotional in all the right ways on the court and brings an intensely dynamic style of play to go with undying passion and emotion.

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His energy and passion will very likely be a solid reason why he becomes a “one-and-done” prospect under Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton.

The Seminoles are coming off a relatively remarkable season that saw them finish 26-5 and even ACC regular season champions so he should have no issue whatsoever fitting into the already winning culture set in place in the program.

Barnes ended his senior season playing with and for the Montverde Academy Eagles, who proceeded to go 25-0 and have one of the best seasons in high school basketball history.

Barnes dominated for the Eagles and proved why he is considered a consensus top 10 recruit as a key part of one of the most loaded high school basketball rosters in some time, alongside fellow top recruit and soon-to-be Oklahoma State Cowboy, Cade Cunningham.

Barnes is an exceptional finisher and has great length to pair with it at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He must continue to work on his range, but has fairly consistently showcased his shooting touch and potential during his time in high school, so it is logical to assume he will continue to develop in that area going forward.

His position will be somewhat in question at the next level and he will likely prove to be a hybrid 3/4 given his length, size and touch, which is a situation to keep an eye on.

He would theoretically fit excellently next to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ young guards in Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Kevin Porter Jr., though, and he could even fit seamlessly next to Love and perhaps Drummond. That’d be in the scenario that they are still indeed each on the team in the 2021-22 NBA season following the 2021 NBA Draft, of course.

As such, Barnes would be an outstanding under-the-radar selection, regardless of where that draft slot ends up being.

The energy and passion he brings on and off the floor is considered unmatched by everyone in his current class, and assuming it sticks and even shines through at both of the next levels for him, he will be a unique and particularly promising young player for any NBA team moving forward.