The Cleveland Cavaliers played it smart in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Cleveland Cavaliers went relatively under-the-radar during the offseason. Aside from a few very minor trades, and a few low-risk free agent signings/re-signings of Damyean Dotson/re-signing Matthew Dellavedova, there wasn’t a relatively big splash in The Land.
However, one aspect of the NBA where all Cavaliers’ fans had their attention focused on recently was the 2020 NBA Draft. Cleveland had been tied for the best odds to land the first overall pick in this year’s draft, so when they fell to the fifth pick again for a second year in a row, there was a bit of an anxious feeling in the air among everyone.
During the draft, as the Chicago Bulls selected Patrick Williams, the Cleveland Cavaliers knew they had a wide array of options open for them.
Ultimately, with the fifth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Cavaliers selected Isaac Okoro, albeit there were rumors/reports of a potential trade down, though, and a trade down reportedly proposed by the New York Knicks. But this was a logical selection.
Okoro played 28 games as a freshman at Auburn before the season came to an abrupt halt due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. In those 28 games, the young 6-foot-6 forward averaged 12.9 points per game, along with 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Isaac Okoro plays the role of a much-needed wing player for the Cavaliers.
Cleveland is still in their rebuilding phase, but it is clear they have a vision in mind for how they want the team to look moving forward. In my opinion, part of that vision should consist of the Auburn Tiger-turned-Cleveland Cavalier playing in the starting lineup.
The projected lineup I believe the Cavs should run is Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Kevin Love and Andre Drummond.
Here, I’ll explain why Okoro should start for the Cavs on Opening Night at the 3 spot.
The first relates to defense.
Okoro would be a defensive upgrade for the Cavs
While Cedi Osman will likely have the claim to the starting 3 spot to begin with, it would still seem, I believe he would be better suited coming off the bench and playing with players like Larry Nance Jr. and Dante Exum.
Osman is a solid player, and he does have the experience over Okoro when it comes to playing in the NBA, but I believe Cleveland needs to begin to make a statement about what kind of team they are, and the culture that comes with that. Implementing Isaac Okoro into the starting small forward position is one of the ways you can do this.
Okoro brings something to the table in Cleveland that has been lacking for a long time. One word; defense. Defense is still paramount to any teams’ success. You can put up 150 points per night, but if you give up 151, you still lose the game in the end. With Okoro the Cavaliers are making it known they want to shift the culture in Cleveland.
Okoro is a defense-minded forward. Many scouts throughout the course of this year’s NBA draft process had designated Okoro as the best wing defender. At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Okoro is a reliable force to put against 3’s and 4’s, a bunch, of opposing teams.
He’s not the longest player with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, but despite questions reportedly coming out of Cavs camp if Okoro is “big enough” to play on the wing, per The Athletic‘s Joe Vardon (subscription required), the rookie is certainly that.
Okoro will be able to keep shooters at bay on the outside, along with preventing the opponents from penetrating down the lane. Okoro is quick enough, smart enough and capable enough to guard more than one position at a time, too/is very switchable.
Cedi is a nice NBA player, but Okoro has the potential to be a defensive powerhouse in Cleveland. Coupled with his capabilities to drive to the rim and finish, the rookie deserves a chance to prove himself.
Cleveland ranked last in defensive rating the last two seasons, so selecting Okoro has already put the Cavs on the path to improving those defensive woes.
Okoro’s defensive-minded style of play makes him a guy Cleveland can count on to guard the primary option of the opposing team on a consistent basis. And his defensive capabilities alone should warrant him an opportunity to start for the Cavaliers.
Compatibility and versatility are key components for the Cavs’ success
General manager Koby Altman and the Cavaliers’ front office did a stellar job in their search for the right fit to learn and grow with their young core. Okoro appears to fit in seamlessly on paper. In fact, Okoro will already know what it’s like to share the court with one of the Cavaliers.
During high school, Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro played against each other for rival teams. Throughout those years the two reportedly became good friends. Moreover, Okoro and Sexton, one of the starting guards for the Cavaliers, already have a built-in relationship.
Okoro will not be going into this team blind. He already has a connection there. This will make it easier for the rookie to play in a starting role, with his defensive-minded style of play coupled with Sexton’s speed and scoring talents, Cleveland could begin to see their vision finally coming together.
Okoro’s relationship with Sexton should prove to be successful in terms of compatibility. Sexton plays with a grit and intensity that can be infectious at times. The “Young Bull” can score, and we all know that, having averaged 20.8 points per game last year, and shooting 47.2 percent from the field, to go with 38.0 percent from the three-point line.
Okoro’s presence on the court can help Cleveland continue their Garland-Sexton experiment as the rookie out of Auburn can help cover defensive weaknesses in the backcourt.
Okoro would also fit well with the two big men in the starting lineup. Okoro’s versatility as a two-way wing player would sync up well with Drummond’s rebounding. With his ability to drive and finish, Okoro will definitely be taking advantage of any blocks and steals Drummond has on their opponents, turning those blocks into easy layups.
Now, the Drummond trade rumors will be there, of which you can view reported details about from recently here, albeit it would still seem Drummond could be around a good chunk of next season, anyhow. Potentially, he could be around longer; we’ll see.
Plus, Love would also be able to help Okoro excel in his rookie season. Okoro’s skill as a player can be seen in the way he adapts on the court. Playing with a champion veteran like Love will allow Okoro to learn and understand just how many ways there are to be successful in the NBA.
Okoro really enjoyed watching the Cleveland Cavaliers come back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors in perhaps one of the greatest victories in sports history, too, via Ben Axelrod of WKYC, too, for what it’s worth. Isaac Okoro has been winning favor with the fans of Cleveland from the start.
Okoro was the best choice the Cleveland Cavaliers could have made during this year’s draft. He will prove himself to be a successful NBA player, and he will show Cleveland fans why he deserves that starting small forward position from the jump.