Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Big Board: Longshots, fallers, and realistic options
Tier Two (Fallers)
4. Bennedict Mathurin, Wing, Arizona (6’6″, 210 LBS)
5. Shaedon Sharpe, Guard, Kentucky (6’6″, 200 LBS)
6. Ochai Agbaji, Guard, Kansas (6’5″, 215 LBS)
All three of these players would be a great addition to the roster. However, in the latest mock draft by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz (subscription required), Sharpe is picked at six by the Portland Trail Blazers. Following that, Mathurin is picked at 12 by the New York Knicks, and finally, Agbaji was picked 16th by the Hawks. Currently the Cavs hold the 17th pick, which means if Givony and Schmitz are correct, then they’ll be off the board in the first round. However, rarely does the draft go as expected, especially during the late lottery up until the early twenties.
Many of you might be asking, “who the hell is Shaedon Sharpe?” Well, don’t worry, I think there are a lot of basketball fans out there who don’t know much about the young shooting guard. Sharpe was the number-one rated player in the class of 2022, but last year he re-classified to the 2021 class so he could join Kentucky’s squad a year early.
Initially he was only meant to practice at Kentucky, then play in games during the 2022-2023 season. However, scouts began to speculate that Sharpe might end up playing this year. Finally on February 6, Kentucky head coach John Calipari came out and told ESPN that Sharpe would not suit up this year.
That leaves Sharpe and Kentucky in a little bit of a tough spot. If he turns pro this summer, he is almost assuredly a top-10 pick. However, he turned down “millions” to play at Kentucky under Calipari, per KSR, or at least that’s what his mentor says. With that being said, most NBA scouts believe he will come out this year, and I do as well.
As a prospect Sharpe is incredibly intriguing. The 6’6″ guard lit up the Nike EYBL 2021 circuit averaging 22.6 points per game, grabbing 5.8 rebounds per game, and dishing out nearly three assists per game. He is a lightning quick, bouncy wing player who is a good shooter, not a great shooter. He needs to improve his shooting, and stay more under control when attacking the basket. However, he does project as a plus defender, and is lethal in the open court.
He has a great frame and build, with a lot of lower body strength to finish through contact. Should he decide to come out, the Cavaliers would have to be ecstatic if he fell to them. I don’t see that happening, but we can dream.
Bennedict Mathruin out of Arizona is probably my favorite prospect right now. The 6’6″ wing has a great frame and led the way for one of the most exciting teams in college basketball this season. He averaged nearly 18 points per game for the Wildcats this season while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from deep. One of the traits I love about Mathurin, especially on this Cavs roster, is his ability to create his own shot.
He has a strong upper body, and plenty of bounce to get to and finish at the rim. On top of that his shooting stroke is quick and compact. But, at times he settles for jumpers instead of attacking the basket.
On the defensive side he’s not great and he’s not bad. With Mathurin, it all depends on the effort he puts in, and he has a great frame for a two-way player. I don’t think Mathurin will be on the board after the lottery, but I do think he would be worth it to trade up for. He fills a position of need, even though Lauri Markkanen has been great this season since returning from injury. Keep an eye on this guy. In my opinion, Mathurin is just a little bit better than the next player on my big board.
As a die-hard North Carolina fan, it’s tough to write about Ochai Agbaji right now. However, he is going to be a very good pro, so the Cavs should take a look at him. Unfortunately he is an older prospect, being 21 years old already. Other than that, he’s a great wing. His three-point shooting was on display in the NCAA Tournament, including his 4-of-4 half in the Final Four vs Villanova. He’s a very good catch-and-shoot shooter, and on top of that, he’s crafty in the way he gets to the rim.
He doesn’t have overpowering athleticism or strength, but he always finds a way to put the ball in the hoop. Depending on how he does in the NBA Combine, and how the Cavs season ends, it could be the perfect pairing heading into an important 2022-2023 season.