Cavs: Off-ball offense is selling point for Onyeka Okongwu in 2020 NBA Draft

Okongwu would be a high level offensive rebounder for the Cleveland Cavaliers

Okongwu, while he should be a good roller, straight-line driver against slower matchups, passer and screener, his offensive rebounding should be another selling point for him.

Okongwu had 3.3 offensive boards per contest at USC, to go with a superb offensive rebounding rate of 12.4 percent, and if the Cavs were to draft him, he could be similar to Larry Nance Jr. in relation to being a high level offensive rebounding bench big. That’s again, assuming Andre Drummond eventually picks up his $28.8 million player option, which he’s reportedly likely to do.

Although Okongwu is not a floor spacing presence at this point, his relentless style and activity on the glass could give the Cavs energy in his minutes-share. That would be similar to the expiring Tristan Thompson, who I wouldn’t expect to end up being back next season if Okongwu were to be drafted.

Anyhow, while it’s as much in relation to the standard off-ball aspect, Okongwu being a high level offensive rebounder could pay dividends for the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout games. He’s a player that again though not a key shooting presence, opposing bigs will need to stay attached to at all times to prevent him from getting offensive boards/putbacks.

Along with the offensive board aspect for putbacks, with Okongwu being a heady passer, he could generate quality spot-up looks/cutting looks for the likes of Windler, Garland, Sexton and/or Kevin Porter Jr. as well.

So overall, while again I would be more than on-board with the Cleveland Cavaliers going wing in the 2020 NBA Draft, Okongwu should be a player they very strongly consider at #5.

Looking onward, the 19-year-old could end up being a better long-term starting 5 option than Drummond, when projecting his versatility defensively and as a far more instinctive passer, and also still being an active screener/athletic lob threat.

With even just next season in mind, though, Okongwu is a player that could help impact winning on both ends for the Wine and Gold and I could foresee fitting in particularly well in closing lineups.