2022 NBA Draft: New name atop Big Board; Cavs guard/wing targets

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Malaki Branham, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports) /

Three late-first-round wings for Cavs fans to keep their eyes on

A.J. Griffin, Wing, Duke

Griffin is a tough prospect to evaluate. He sustained an injury during his junior year of high school, and then with the pandemic going on, he wasn’t able to play a full senior season. However, I don’t know if you need much film to break down Griffin. He’s a lights out shooter with surprising amount of quickness. The Cavaliers desperately need to get more shooting on the wing. Well, let me re-phrase that, they need more consistency from three.

Griffin would instantly make the floor space more open and the team better. Griffin really could fall into the 20s if he doesn’t at least put on some good performances for NBA scouts. Regardless, Griffin could be a massive upgrade in the shooting department, and defensively he has the athleticism to be good, but it’s all about if he wants to or not.

Malaki Branham, Wing, Ohio State

This is a bit of a reach, but the freshman wing from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School has drawn some buzz around the league as of late. He’s averaging 18 points per game in his last five. The freshman put on a show versus Nebraska to start the new year, too. He had 35 points, shooting 68 percent from the field and 75 percent from three. It’s still one of the most impressive showings in all of college basketball this season.

Some haven’t come around to Branham yet, and that’s understandable. However if he keeps playing the way he has been of late, he will force NBA front offices to start looking at him.

Christian Braun, Wing, Kansas

Another Jayhawk? Yes please. Braun plays second fiddle to Agbaji, but don’t be mistaken, he’s good enough to play in the NBA right now. Braun is a year younger than his teammate, but as I briefly mentioned earlier, that’s a good thing. Braun stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs in around 220 pounds. He’s been great for the Jayhawks this season as well. He’s scoring over 15 points per game, shooting over 50 percent from the field, and 38 percent from three.

Depending on how Collin Sexton recovers, or if heads elsewhere, Braun could fill in as both a guard and forward. Right now he’s projected to go in the late teens, early 20s, which might be just where the Cavaliers are drafting.