Cleveland Cavaliers have a playoff push to focus on. They are fighting with the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors..."/> Cleveland Cavaliers have a playoff push to focus on. They are fighting with the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors..."/>
King James Gospel
Fansided

NBA Draft: 3 prospects for Cavs to watch in Sweet 16

By Josh Cornelissen

Wendell Moore, Duke Blue Devils. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Wendell Moore, Duke Blue Devils. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
NBA Draft
Christian Braun, Kansas Jayhawks. Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images /

NBA Draft: 3 prospects for Cavs to watch in Sweet 16 – Christian Braun

The Kansas Jayhawks have been one of the nation’s best teams yet again, earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and making the Sweet 16. Their most prominent player this season has been Ochai Agbaji, who has stepped up to become one of the top-scoring wings in the country on top of his elite shooting and defense. Agbaji is almost certainly going to go in the lottery.

His less-heralded teammate, Christian Braun, could drop to the beginning of the second round, however, affording the Cavs a chance at a player who could be a dynamic scoring wing for them to plug into the rotation. Braun averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds this season as a junior, hitting 39.7 percent of his 3-pointers with a smooth stroke.

Braun isn’t the best defender but he is solid, and at 6’6″ he affords some versatility to play the 3 or the 4. Unlike some wing shooters, he is a strong finisher, hitting 55 percent of his 2-pointers. His ability to both shoot and attack closeouts mitigates his so-so playmaking.

The Cavs need to stockpile players on the wing, as this list and nearly every Cavs’ wishlist in the draft and free agency will highlight. They have the 1, 4 and 5 locked up; finding solutions at the 2 and 3, arguably the most important positions on the roster, will be vital. Braun could be an answer if the Cavs get to take him in the 2022 NBA Draft.