Cavs 2021 NBA Draft: How would a Moses Moody pick impact the team?

As of May 3, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 21-43 record. A team that had serious potential to make the play-in now has to shift their focus on improving their pick for this upcoming 2021 NBA Draft.

As it stands, the Cavs have the sixth-best odds at the number one overall pick at 9.0 percent, per Tankathon. With the new draft lottery odds, this also gives them a 29.7 and 20.6 percent chance at getting the seventh and eighth picks, respectively. Considering the Cavaliers’ draft luck in recent years, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them end up with a pick lower than hoped.

Even if this is the case, the Cavs can still come away from this draft with an impact player, judging by how deep it is. Looking at the team’s needs, Cleveland’s desperate for shooting and someone who has some shot creation ability. A player from this draft who fits that criteria is Moses Moody of Arkansas.

Moody is a 6-foot-6 wing who showcased on-ball and off-ball abilities, as well as defensive potential in his lone season with the Razorbacks.

In the regular season, Moody averaged 17.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game on 44.1/38.6/82.8 percent shooting splits. His play would dip drastically during tournament play where he averaged 14.2 points on abysmal 36.6/23.3/74.3 percent shooting splits. That stretch of games can attribute to his recent draft stock dip.

Looking at his offense, Moody can score from anywhere on the court, has solid bounce, has a smooth shooting stroke, and is an improving on-ball player. Seeing his high rate of getting fouled is a huge positive, especially for today’s NBA. Moody ranked third amongst guards in the SEC in free throw rate at 49.1 percent.

Defensively, his 7-foot wingspan will help him to defend against guards and wings in the NBA. This wingspan for a guard/wing is comparable to a heady defender in Mikal Bridges. Essentially, Moody is the prototypical modern-day 3-D player, and that he’s a key selling point for him as a potential 2021 NBA Draft selection.

So how would a Moody draft selection impact the Cavs?

For starters, Moody’s game revolving around off-ball play makes him a seamless fit alongside Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. His 6-foot-6 frame would give the Cavs more versatility on offense and the chance for more creative lineups.

Seeing as he can work well both off standstill shots and with him showing plenty of encouraging flashes as an off-movement shooter, his catch-and-shoot ability would be key for this team. His offensive opportunities would continue to increase more and more during the season as his on-ball play improves.

Defensively, Moody’s length and versatility can help to improve the team defense and allow for better defensive assignments. Increased defensive IQ will come as he continues to age. With someone who is just 205 pounds, it would be best if the Cavs had him guard guards and small wings.

Looking at his opportunities on the team, Isaac Okoro looks to be the only wing whose future isn’t in jeopardy. Cedi Osman and Taurean Prince make for great potential trade candidates, and were mentioned in trade rumors previously near the deadline, and Dylan Windler is running out of time to show that he belongs on the team.

This gives Moody a great chance to be the team’s first wing off the bench from the moment he’s drafted, if that were to end up being the case by Cleveland in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Continuing to talk about the bench, Moody playing alongside guys like Larry Nance Jr., Isaiah Hartenstein, if he’s in the fold, and a facilitating point guard would be great for his development as it’d allow Moody to get on-ball opportunities and great off-ball looks while not bumping heads with any of his off-bench teammates.

Overall, Moody would have a great fit with the current team. The structure of the Cavaliers would allow him to ease his way into the league and he has the potential to be an impact player for the Wine and Gold on day one.