After the lottery balls were not kind to the Cleveland Cavaliers the past few years, the Wine and Gold saw their lottery luck turn around this past Tuesday when they landed the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
While the Cavaliers will not get the good fortune of landing Cade Cunningham, who is seemingly the presumptive top overall pick in this year’s draft, the Cavs will still have their choice of a talented prospect. Cleveland may have the chance to add one of those names (the Houston Rocket do have the #2 pick) in USC big man Evan Mobley.
Mobley is 7-foot tall, 215 pounds, and is widely regarded as the top big man in this year’s draft. With the Cavaliers’ recent history of drafting guards, a big man would be a logical choice.
Yes, the Cavs could hold onto Jarrett Allen too, but adding Mobley could mean Cleveland would be able to let Allen walk if he gets an offer the Cavaliers do not want to match. However, Mobley and Allen could play alongside each other, at least initially, to see if it was a viable pairing.
Having a pair of 7-foot big men on the floor with shot blocking ability would give the Cavaliers a formidable frontcourt duo. Allen could play more of the traditional center role, while Mobley could play the stretch-4 role. Yes, Mobley has yet to develop a consistent outside shot (hit 30 percent on 1.2 attempts per game last season) but will not turn 21 years old until next June, and there is plenty of time to develop a more reliable three.
So what should Cavs fans expect from Mobley if he’s their pick?
While the outside shot would be a work in progress for Mobley, one realistic expectation for Mobley next season, if he is the Cavaliers selection, would show his rim protection/defensive impact.
#1: Mobley has at least 1.0 blocks per outing for the Cavs
Mobley proved last season he is a prolific shot blocker (2.9 blocked shots per game last season), and having his presence in the paint would be a welcomed addition.
It’s been well-documented the Cavaliers current backcourt of Darius Garland and Collin Sexton are not the league’s best defenders. Albeit Sexton has been mentioned in trade rumors of late, but a potential Mobley pick could result in him sticking around more so than that of say, Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs. In any case, with Mobley and Isaac Okoro on the floor, the Cavaliers defense would take another step in the right direction.
Unlike many big men, Mobley is mobile and fluid enough to switch and stay with quicker players; his 7-foot-4 wingspan also helps in that way and can aid him in recovering if needed. In addition, Mobley’s elite leaping ability/lateral quickness would force the players he switches on to into altered shots.
But he is more than just a shot blocker, though he will have to learn to not bite as often on pump fakes. Mobley would be an overall plus on the defensive side of the ball, though he would have to bulk up and add muscle because even at 7-foot, Mobley still could get pushed currently.
#2: Mobley is a consistent interior scoring presence for the Cavs
Another realistic expectation for Mobley next season would be that he would be a consistent threat to score from the paint, something the Cavaliers have often lacked, especially when Kevin Love is not in the lineup.
Yes, Love would be the player to start day one next season, barring any unforeseen trade this summer. But let’s be honest, Love is not seemingly in this team’s long-term plans…at least he should not be. For all the good Love has brought to the Cavaliers organization during his time here, it seems it’s in the best interest of both parties to eventually move on.
Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Mobley seems to have several post moves in his arsenal already and showed the ability at times to catch and shoot from in and around the paint. Sexton and Garland are both talented scoring guards, but to have a player like Mobley down low who can score the ball in a variety of ways would be valuable.
Mobley’s scoring ability down low would likely draw defenders in, and that is when Mobley can display his ability as a passer, which is great for a player of his size. Having two quality scoring guards on the outside (provided Sexton sticks around) would potentially give teams fits if Sexton and Garland can consistently hit three-pointers.
In addition to being a low post scoring threat, Mobley would help out in the transition game. Sexton is quick with the ball in his hands on the break and has shown improved vision at times. What better way to improve your fastbreak production by having an athletic 7-footer running the floor as an option.
Overall the Cavaliers will have to wait and see who Houston selects with the No. 2 overall pick, but if Mobley is there with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, it would be tough to pass up a big man with so many promising traits on both sides of the ball.