Should the Cavs go with talent or fit in 2022 NBA Draft?

Drafting for talent

The riskier option, drafting for talent has worked for the Cavaliers with Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, all having All-Star potential. The difference here is those players were top picks in their respective drafts so things will be different with the 14th pick, or likely near that.

Looking into players available at 14 or so, Jaden Hardy is a name that sticks out.

A consensus top-five pick this time a year ago, Hardy’s draft stock has seemingly fallen due to inefficient play in the G-League. Hardy shot just 40% from the field and 33% from three, turning the ball over 3.2 times per game during the IGNITE showcase.

Context can be provided as he played alongside two other potential lottery picks and with poor spacing as the 31.8% they shot from three as a team would’ve ranked as fifth-worst among G-League teams.

Looking at what he does well, Hardy’s biggest selling point is his deep range and elite shooting ability. He can shoot off-the-catch or off-the-bounce. The numbers shouldn’t be looked at deeply here, as his release point and smooth stroke make his shooting something that should translate well in the league, just as our own Justin Brownlow emphasized.

Looking at other facets of his game, he showed an ability to orchestrate an offense with his pick-and-roll play and improved vision over the season. The biggest thing to take away was the two-man game which should bode well alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

His athleticism isn’t talked about enough as his body control and downhill attack are pluses. With talks like this, why is it that Hardy has slipped in the draft?

For him, he has to put it all together and clean up the shot selection/decision-making.

Hardy has all the makings of the next “star”-level NBA guard. Thinking of Jordan Poole or Tyrese Maxey, it’s those players that I can envision Hardy becoming, being able to succeed in a reduced role on a team like the Cavaliers before blossoming into a scorching scorer.

Final Verdict

So which direction should the Cavs go in?

It would make sense for the team to continue to take stabs at picks and hope that they work out. The NBA is a star-driven league and big shot-makers are the ones that run it.

For those that may question this decision, look at how much Jordan Poole has helped the Golden State Warriors, how much Tyrese Maxey has helped the Philadelphia 76ers, or how much Desmond Bane has helped the Memphis Grizzlies.

You get the picture. Worst comes to worst, the Cavaliers could look at fit later on in the draft, through free agency, or via trade.

Drafting for fit would be fine but in my opinion, I believe going after talent is the best course of action in the 2022 NBA Draft.