If there in NBA Draft, TyTy Washington Jr. would be intriguing Cavs target

How Washington’s skill set could help the Cavs

Washington had some inconsistencies with Kentucky this season, but part of that is just the nature of John Calipari’s offense. Washington is more so a score-first player naturally, however, he is a capable playmaker that made strides in that realm throughout the season it seemed, and I do believe with the Cavaliers, he could be more than fine in a bench role often as a lead playmaking presence.

He had an assist rate of 22.7 percent, compared to a turnover rate of 12.2 percent at UK, and I’d think in some stretches, would operate well in pick-and-roll with Evan Mobley/Jarrett Allen as rollers, and in the pick-and-pop sense, could work great with Kevin Love. What Washington showed as a decision-maker in PnR was encouraging, in that area.

Along with the playmaking feel and vision, also when it comes to hitting shooters, and in transition situations, Washington could add another shot creation element for the Cavaliers in rotational stretches. He’s an adept pull-up shooter on twos and on push shots and with his handle, separation abilities, could become a viable pull-up threat from three at the next level.

He connected on 35.0 percent from three at UK on 3.3 attempts per outing, but the motion is fluid, and on catch-and-shoots, Washington’s deep shooting should translate early on in his NBA career. That should mesh well with Mobley, Kevin Love, perhaps Cedi Osman and maybe in some stretches with Garland and Collin Sexton, with other defensive pieces around them.

In a different situation, Washington’s scoring and shooting splits might have been much more, for further context. He’ll need to develop more in coming years as a finisher, hopefully as he gets stronger, but his floater is deadly, a la Garland. And in some stretches throughout games, I could see him and the likes of Caris LeVert, for example, being a heck of a shot creation and dual PnR ball handling duo.

Now, would it be worth it for Cleveland to potentially select Washington, if he’s there, instead of a wing or stretch forward?