It’s not exactly ideal at this point, as the Cleveland Cavaliers could’ve used some postseason experience for their key young guys and for the team to mentally take a step forward, but Cleveland does have its lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Now, thinking back to before the All-Star break, it seemed likely that the Cavaliers would make the postseason this year.
Things didn’t work out that way, and even with the injuries the Cavs endured playing into part of their slide, it was still somewhat disappointing that Cleveland didn’t make the postseason. They lost both of their play-in games to the Brooklyn Nets and then Atlanta Hawks; both of those clubs were bounced in the first round, and Cleveland would’ve realistically been, too, but some of that playoff taste would’ve been meaningful.
On the plus side, though, with part of the Caris LeVert trade details being that Cleveland would keep its first-rounder for this season if they missed the playoffs, and next year being the same with their deal with the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland can still get a quality piece there. The Cavaliers also have two second-round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft, and perhaps they could land one or two potential developmental pieces; we’ll see what transpires.
As far as Cleveland’s first-rounder, in this sense, that’s projected to likely slot in at being #14, the last lottery spot. The Cavaliers have a 97.6 percent chance of that selection being #14, per Tankathon.
Now, perhaps the Cavs do end up making a trade for a veteran player with that pick being part of a package, such as with guys like Cedi Osman, Dylan Windler or maybe Collin Sexton, and/or with another piece? Sexton, who is set to likely hit restricted free agency this offseason, it seems should be back and perhaps given a new deal, but Osman/Windler could be dealt, for instance.
That being said, I can’t say I’d be surprised if the Cavaliers ended up just making their first-rounder, given there could be a number of players that could give them solid depth there and/or be upside swings. I’d imagine the likes of Tari Eason, Ochai Agbaji, Jeremy Sochan, Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy, Nikola Jovic and others could definitely be targets for the Cavs, with the draft to commence on June 23.
Another prospect, however, I don’t think should necessarily be disregarded, either, and that’s TyTy Washington Jr., a combo guard out of Kentucky who I believe could have immense potential.
If he’s there in the upcoming NBA Draft, Washington would be an intriguing target for the Cavs.
Washington is a 6-foot-3 combo guard that had 12.5 points and 3.9 assists per contest in his lone collegiate season at Kentucky, and at the next level, I’d expect to play for stretches in both on and off-ball roles.
I get that the Cavs have an All-Star lead guard in Darius Garland who is fresh off a breakout season, and looks to be one of the NBA’s best young guards moving forward. Even still, with Washington, he could be a viable lead guard in some time when Garland is out in games, and while I’m not necessarily sure it’d be for extended stretches, Washington could play in some stretches at the 2.
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?
Should the Cavs seriously consider TyTy, if he’s there?
Now to the verdict. While I’d probably rather the Cavaliers go with a wing in the 2022 NBA Draft, or if he’s there, from a physicality/off-bounce range and athleticism standpoint, Hardy, Washington should be in real consideration.
TyTy needs to improve as a finisher, and can be prone to settling at times, and defensively, I recognize he’s a ways away from being viable for long stretches against NBA guards. But with Cleveland’s defensive players around them, when the team is healthier and has Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in tandem, I do believe Washington’s offensive impact could enable him to be more than fine for stretches. His 6-foot-9 wingspan for his size could aid the team off-ball, too.
Granted, I do acknowledge that it’d seem the Cavaliers could potentially look to bring Ricky Rubio back, however, it’s difficult to say right now as to when he’ll be fully back from his ACL injury suffered back in late December. Rajon Rondo, as another potential veteran brought back for backup point guard services, struggled with injuries as a real rotational contributor this season with the Cavs, as an alternative, too, as an aside.
I’d be more than fine with say, Delon Wright as a veteran free agent playmaking add, or Tyus Jones. Could Cleveland get either of them, though? It’s difficult to say.
Anyway, circling back to Washington as a potential draft selection in the lotto, to me, even with Garland’s emergence, TyTy is such a talented shot creator, and could be a great combo guard to have in Cleveland’s rotation long term, and the team should strongly consider him, if he’s available. I can’t say outright if he will be, but it’s seemingly a possibility.
He’s on the thinner side, sure, and took a bit to be fully back, seemingly, mid-season, after an ankle injury; he did rebound pretty well, though, and his shot creation and playmaking qualities/vision make him intriguing. And in my opinion, Washington could be a great addition if he were available for the Cavs in June.
I wouldn’t necessarily expect the Wine and Gold to take him, but I’d understand if they did. The Kentucky product, who will turn 21 in November, could provide some true Garland insurance, whether or not Sexton is around long term, or LeVert, to some extent.