NBA Draft: How did Cleveland Cavaliers do in 2020 NBA Redraft?

How would Jaden McDaniels fit on the Cavaliers?

Pivoting back to the Cavaliers, McDaniels would likewise fill a significant need for this roster while helping them to accomplish one of their original goals from the 2020 NBA Draft, adding a plus defender to a defensively-challenged young core.

A few months after the draft that core got better as the Cavaliers traded for center Jarrett Allen, but last November the Cavaliers were trying to build around two small guards in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. Adding Isaac Okoro, billed as the best perimeter defender in the lottery mix, was a logical choice.

Here they take a larger player than Okoro who has proven himself as one of this class’s best defenders. McDaniels has the size to play the 4 and guard up or down, strong enough to slow down larger 4s but athletic enough to stay with combo forwards. His previously mentioned rim protection would be incredibly valuable coming in from the weakside.

McDaniels could fill the defensive role of Larry Nance Jr. on this team, coming in as a younger, less injury-prone long-term replacement. As he continues to develop as a player he could take on the opponent’s best forward. When paired with a defensive anchor in Allen at center he can roam more into passing lanes, but when paired with an offensively-oriented center such as Kevin Love he could provide a level of rim protection to help shore up the defense.

While less polished on offense, McDaniels did shoot a respectable 44.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range in a low-usage role. His scoring pop should translate as he gains confidence and earns more of a role, both as a scorer and off-ball shooter. He would be an excellent long-term fit with the Cavaliers’ young core.