Should Cavs consider backup 5 in 2022 NBA Draft?

After the season the Cleveland Cavaliers had, at least for much of the campaign, it was a bit of a disappointment that they didn’t make the postseason. The Cavaliers lost both of their play-in games to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks, and in turn, were prevented from participating in postseason play.

I do say just a *bit of a disappointment because it’s difficult to say that anybody would’ve anticipated before the season the team winning 44 games, and doubling their win total from the year prior. I’m not going to say other clubs didn’t have their share of them, but injuries played a significant role in the team’s demise, particularly post-All-Star break.

Even still, the 2021-22 season was a successful one for the Cavaliers, in all seriousness, and the arrow seems to be pointing up for this still young Wine and Gold squad.

On a positive note, while missing the postseason did sting, the Cavs are set to retain their first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, as KJG’s Josh Cornelissen pointed out. In the Caris LeVert trade with the Indiana Pacers shortly before the deadline, part of the structure of the deal was that Cleveland’s first sent to Indiana is lottery-protected for 2022, and the same goes for 2023. If the Cavs miss the postseason next year, they’ll again keep their first-rounder.

I personally would expect the Cavaliers to make the postseason next year; I just can’t say that for certain. If Cleveland were to miss the postseason in 2023, then that part of the deal would turn into Cleveland’s second-rounder in 2025 and the 2026 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick going to Indiana. I’m not going to get into the other aspects of the deal right now, but for reference, Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract was part of it. You can view more on a regrading of the deal here, via KJG’s Quinn Minnich, anyhow.

So, in relation to the 2022 NBA Draft for the Cavaliers, it would still seem that they could get a rotational contributor with that pick, but maybe even a prospect with star potential. Tari Eason,  Ochai Agbaji, Jerami Sochan, Jaden Hardy, Nikola Jovic, Bennedict Mathurin and perhaps Keegan Murray could be in-play. Another upside swing like Hardy or Jovic could seemingly be Patrick Baldwin Jr., despite his underwhelming collegiate campaign.

That being said, whether the Cavaliers do elect to use that selection in the likely late lottery, or potentially trade that as part of a package for an established vet, it does seem clear that the team should not put a ton of stock into another true big.

There are intriguing prospects for backup, though.

Should the Cavs consider drafting another 5 for Allen/Mobley insurance?

In my opinion, no. Jarrett Allen had a career year this season, and looks to be one of the game’s ascending 5s, with his shot blocking/altering presence, rolling and screening abilities, touch and power as a finisher. He showed marketed improvement on-ball as a post player, too, and I do believe we saw some face-up qualities that he can build on more next season, provided his finger fully heals over the offseason, and I think he’ll be just fine.

Additionally, the Cavaliers can get by again for some games, if needed at times, with Evan Mobley after a full offseason to get stronger, starting at the 5. And in stretches Allen is off the floor, Mobley, with his rare IQ for such a young player, feel as a passer, and defensive instincts/rim protection should be better in filling in at that spot, which is still natural for him, anyway.

Now, I can’t say definitively at the moment if we’ll end up seeing Moses Brown back, who was initially on two 10-day deals when Allen was out, given a two-way deal, and then a rest-of-season deal eventually. But Brown I believe for a few stretches, if needed in games, can be serviceable to give Allen a breather, and his 7-foot-2 frame can be impactful as a rim protector and lob threat, and the dude will be in his age-23 season next year, if he’s back.

There were some encouraging signs when he was given his share of play in the closing part of the season as well, and I could foresee the team signing to a multi-year deal, provided it’s team-friendly. That’s with a similar structure to Lamar Stevens/Dean Wade’s, for example.

In any case, in terms of the 2022 NBA Draft, while Jalen Duren, given his defensive potential, switchability and rim protection, would be intriguing if he were available for Cleveland, it’d likely be more sensible to go maybe score-first guard or wing. Mark Williams seems to be another prospect that could be available, too, but it’s difficult to project him having quite the upside of Duren on defense.

Needless to say, in the late lotto for Cleveland, I wouldn’t be on-board with them getting another interior-oriented big, and in particular, a 5.

Even though adding another rim protector and Allen injury insurance could be a boost for Cleveland’s defense, which wasn’t the same without Jarrett, I’d rather the Cavs focus on a score-first guard/wing. That’s whether or not Collin Sexton and/or Caris LeVert are back or extended.

At least selecting a developmental perimeter player would be sensible, where they potentially be eased into things.

Now, in the second round, where Cleveland is set to have two selections, maybe the Cavaliers would consider a big there, perhaps such as Trayce Jackson-Davis, or a prospect such as Jaylin Williams. Williams could have some switchability, and might have some stretch big potential, but we’ll have to see.

However, generally, I don’t personally believe the Cavs should consider going with a backup 5 in the 2022 NBA Draft. They should prioritize guys who can create some of their own offense, and maybe they could consider a backup 1 in the second round; it’s uncertain if they’ll look to pick there, though, and one could foresee them trading both.

Others currently on the team could very well be moved during the offseason, such as seemingly Dylan Windler and while I’d like to be back for now, Cedi Osman. But so be it.