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NBA Draft: The future of the one-and-done; how it affects the Cavs

By Justin Brownlow

Big Jalen Duren, then of Roman Catholic High School, is shown in action. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Big Jalen Duren, then of Roman Catholic High School, is shown in action. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
The results of the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft are shown on the pictured board. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /

How it affects the Cavs short-term plans

Earlier this summer, two of the top prospects in the high school class of 2022, re-classified and committed to Memphis. Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates, two of the top ranked players from that class, will be attending Memphis next year, and jumping to the NBA right after that. Well, that’s the plan for Duren, I’m sure. However, Emoni Bates won’t be so lucky.

Bates won’t turn 19 until Jan. 28, 2023, thus making him ineligible for the 2022 NBA Draft. In my opinion, this is a significant blow to the Cavs rebuilding process. While there’s no guarantee Emoni Bates would be available for the Cavs when they pick, there is a strong likelihood he would be. If anybody watched the Cavaliers preseason game versus the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, you saw that the team has a long way to go.

Granted, with Jarrett Allen signing an extension this summer, and Evan Mobley being drafted, the Cavs frontcourt is pretty set. So the top two players in next year’s draft, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Duren, wouldn’t be great picks for Cleveland.

Bates, however, would be the perfect fit for this Cavs team. I’m still hoping Isaac Okoro can become a very good two-way player, as he showed signs at the end of last season. But, Okoro will never be a guy that scores 20 points per game. The defensive end of the floor is where the Cavs need the most help, and they got it with Mobley. Even still, the offense could really use a guy who can get his own shot, and create for others around him.

And to that point, Bates has the ideal frame for a wing in today’s NBA game. He’s quick with the ball, his shot is only getting better, and he’s just an explosive offensive player, which the Cavaliers sorely need. I think most fans are optimistic about this season, which is good. Nevertheless, I would bet that the Cavs end up in the lottery this next year.

2022-2023 should be a season where the Cavs can contend for a playoff spot, though. If the Wine and Gold are contending then, this is a moot point. In any case, there are plenty of wing scorers in the upcoming draft who the Cavs can target.