Depending on how you look at it, the Cleveland Cavaliers may have been lucky to miss out on the playoffs this season. A mere 25 days after acquiring Caris LeVert from the Indiana Pacers in a trade that included their 2022 first-round pick, Jarrett Allen suffered a fractured finger. We wouldn’t see Allen play another minute this season until he came back for the play-in game versus the Hawks.
During the second half of the season, the injury to Allen was ultimately the final straw that broke the camel’s back. They sputtered into the end of what was once a very exciting season. However, because they did not make the playoffs through the play-in tournament, Cleveland was able to hold on to their first-round pick this season. Koby Altman deserves a lot of credit for throwing last-minute lottery protection on the pick.
The Cavaliers have two second-round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. What are those picks worth, and how can the Cavs use them to improve their team?
So now we’re here only 56 days away from the draft, and the Cavs find themselves in a precarious position in the off-season. Collin Sexton is due to get an extension. If the Cavs do want to hang onto the guard from Alabama, how much money are they willing to spend? If they decide to extend an offer to Sexton, can they still hold onto Caris LeVert?
Maybe the most interesting question is, what should they do with the 14th pick? Take a guy who could potentially develop into a star, but doesn’t offer much help to the roster right now? Or do they grab a guy like Ochai Agbaji from Kansas, who could help out an NBA team tomorrow if he needed to. However, instead of taking another look at one of the big-time prospects today, let’s dive into the second round, and the Cavs’ two picks there.
It’s rare that we get a draft class like the one we had in 2021. Last year’s draft had the star power, and depth to be one of the best in recent memory. However, not ever rookie who had a good season this year was drafted in the first round. Herbert Jones, who has an outside shot of making the NBA’s All-Defensive Team, was picked 35th overall by the Pelicans. Jones has been a stud on defense all year, while also averaging nearly 10 points per game, and is playing a vital role in the Pelicans’ first-round playoff series with the Suns. Three picks later, Ayo Dosunmu was drafted by the Bulls. Easily one of the biggest steals of the draft, Dosunmu was a very important role player for the Bulls’ resurgence this season. With the number 39 and 58 picks in the second round, the Cavs have the opportunity to possibly grab some very important role players.
What Should the Cavs do in the Second Round?
Honestly, there are a couple of different ways the Cavs could choose to go in the second round. With possible extensions looming for Collin Sexton and Caris LeVert, the Cavs need to utilize the second round to find players who can help the team next year. However, with two picks in the second round, there’s a possibility the Cavs simply view those as assets to either trade up in the draft or use during a trade in the coming weeks.
With how the Cavs have built their roster thus far, I would assume the former. So, then comes the question of what the Cavs roster holes are right now. I would say that a huge hole is the backup point guard position. Remember, Ricky Rubio was great last season before he was injured. He played a vital role for the Cavaliers and their young core. However, Rubio will be 32 early next season, and his shooting numbers aren’t the greatest. Unless the Cavs are able to bring him back on a minimal deal, I think his skill-set is replaceable.
I think you can understand my reasoning when I tell you I would hope the Cavs use the 39th pick to grab a solid, young backup ball-handler. Without Rubio last season, Rajon Rondo had to take over ball-handling duties on the second unit. Rondo has had a great career, but there are too many young guards to take a chance on. So let’s take a look at two of my favorite ball-handlers in the 2022 NBA Draft.
JD Davison, Guard, Alabama (6’3″ 195 LBS)
Stats: 8.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.3 APG
Davison had an up-and-down season with the Crimson Tide this season. He’s still incredibly raw and young, but the signs are there that he could end up being a solid point guard in the NBA for a long time. Physically he’s pretty imposing, standing at 6’3″ with broad shoulders, kind of like Steve Francis. He can take you off the bounce and finish at the basket, or pull up from the elbow. He does have a tendency to over-dribble at times but is a very capable shooter. His perimeter skills are far from poor, but they will take some work.
On top of all of that, Davison was pretty solid on the defensive end at Alabama this year. He was able to grab a steal a game and averaged 4.8 rebounds per game, which is nothing to laugh at, especially as a guard. Sometimes he plays too much like a wing or shooting guard, which is an issue because he’s undersized for that position. However, he has sky-high potential.
Alondes Williams, Guard, Wake Forest (6’5″ 210 LBS)
Stats: 18.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG
Williams came out of nowhere this year to emerge as a possible second-round pick. The lengthy guard from Wake Forest had a tremendous year for the Demon Deacons. He was named First Team All-ACC, and won the conference’s Player of the Year Award. Williams isn’t the most explosive or fast guard this year, but his length and craftiness allow him to be a weapon inside the paint and at the rim. On top of that, he shot over 50% from the field this season, which is quite a feat for a point guard.
Two of the biggest knocks on Williams are his age and his speed. I already mentioned he’s not the fastest guy in the world, and his age would play more of a factor if he were being considered for a first-round selection. Whether NBA teams like it or not, there’s some real talent to be found in the second round, and even in undrafted free agency.
Take a Risk With Pick 58?
If the Cavs do use the 39th pick to draft a player, or as an asset, they will still have the 58th pick to fall back on. There are so many different ways the Cavs could go here. They could take a huge swing and go for a prospect like Dominick Barlow from the Overtime Elite League. However, I have one player in mind, and I’ll take the rest of this article to point out why the Cavaliers would be wise to consider Jaylin Williams, the center from Arkansas with the 58th pick.
Jaylin Williams, Center, Arkansas (6’10” 240 LBS)
Now there is a little bit of doubt that Williams won’t be available at pick 58, but if he’s not the Cavaliers could also consider him at 39. At Arkansas this past season, he was a do-it-all center who made winning plays and excelled on the defensive end. His shooting range is extending as we speak, and his basketball IQ is very high. He’s an above-average rebounder and is a force to be reckoned with when he’s defending in the post.
The Cavaliers already have Evan Mobley, Kevin Love, and Lauri Markkanen in their frontcourt for the most part, so why would they want to draft another? Well, the other reason is because of what exactly happened this year. When Allen went down with injury, the defense was not the same, and that was the heartbeat of this year’s Cav’s roster. On top of that, Williams would definitely benefit in learning from Mobley and Allen. In my opinion, if he reached his full potential, Williams projects to be a player like Allen. The shot blocker and caller in the middle of the defense, who is constantly a lob threat, but still has a solid interior post-game.
Trade them or use them? If we use them, who do we use them on? If we trade them, what are we getting in return? Those are three questions that Cavalier front office will be asking themselves constantly over the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the Cavs did not make the playoff this year, but it’s very possible a second-round pick helps them get to the post-season in 2023.