The 2022 NBA Draft Class is headlined by some big name big men like Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero. Those three are almost assuredly going to be drafted in the top four of the draft. Following those three, Keegan Murray and Jaden Ivey are likely to be the next two players taken. Murray is a versatile forward that dominated the Big Ten this year playing for Iowa. Ivey returned for his sophomore year at Purdue, and improved his shooting and overall game so much he’s being looked at as the best guard in this draft class.
Following those top-level prospects, Shaedon Sharpe and AJ Griffin lead a group of talented wings in the next tier of prospects. Sharpe hasn’t played a game since October of 2021, but is young, explosive, and has a great offensive arsenal. Griffin has struggled with injuries over the past couple of years, and wasn’t properly utilized at Duke. However, he’s a great shooter, with a versatile offensive game. On top of that, he could be a great multi-positional defender in the NBA.
Bennedict Mathurin of Arizona, Tari Eason of LSU, and Ochai Agbaji are also some wing prospects that should go in the late lottery. But, what if the Cleveland Cavaliers decide against drafting a wing this season in favor of drafting a big man who can dominate with the second unit?
If that were the case, it would surprise me, but in no way am I against it. The Cavs second unit this year was fueled by Cedi Osman and Kevin Love’s shooting, along with solid play from guys like Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens. There are at least two very good big men that will be drafted in the lottery after the guys I mentioned earlier that will fill out the top of the draft.
Jalen Duren is an explosive big man, with an old-school style, that will also be a dominant paint defender for years to come. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Duren is very young, and has a super high ceiling, so he probably won’t be on the board when the Cavs pick*. Cleveland could turn to Mark Williams, a legit 7-footer from Duke, who’s a great rebounder, and will also dominate the paint on the defensive end.
So, even though the Cavs will likely take a wing this summer, if a player the caliber of Williams fell to them it would be hard to pass up.
*(Projected 14th pick pre-draft lottery)
Mark Williams Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 7’0″, 220 LBS
2021-2022 Duke Stats: 11.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 0.9 APG
Field Goal/Free Throw: 72.1%/72.7%
The first thing you notice when you see Williams, is that he’s a true 7-footer, and just looks like a dominant paint defender. The 7-footer is surprisingly mobile, and is an excellent rebounder. Playing with Banchero and Griffin at Duke, Williams knew his role.
He was there for defense and rebounding, and he excelled in that role. Most of his points during the season were scored on dump-offs, and putbacks, which will likely become lobs at the next level. He played very well, minus the missed free throws in the Final Four, in the NCAA Tournament.
He will need to work on his footwork, and obviously work to develop a solid, around the basket offensive arsenal. At times, he does get lost in help defense, and will need to work on his lateral movement to become a better pick-and-roll defender. He would be able to come in and learn from two of the best in the game already in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Granted, the Cavaliers desperately need shot creation and wing help.
However, if all the good ones are off the board when the Cavs make their pick, Williams could be a wise move, especially due to his rim protection abilities. It could also lead to some interesting lineups next season.
Can the Cavs go even bigger?
Koby Altman, the front office, and the coaching staff made lemonade out of lemons last offseason. Going into the year, not a lot was expected of the Cavaliers. After drafting Mobley, the coaching staff worked out how they could best utilize the roster they have. This was shortly after drafting Evan Mobley, and signing Jarrett Allen to a long-term deal.
Altman and the crew seemingly doubled down on their big men, and worked out a deal where the Cavs acquired Lauri Markkanen. With the help of Darius Garland‘s third-year leap, and Evan Mobley’s historic rookie season, the Cavs surprised the whole league, and they did it with an interesting and different lineup. However, the question has to be asked, could the Cavaliers go even bigger?
In theory, they obviously could, but the question then becomes would it be effective. At this early of a stage in Evan Mobley’s career I would say the Cavs cannot utilize him at the three this season. But, if he improves his shooting and quickness, is it really that out of the question?
Jabari Smith is 6’10” and will likely play the wing at the next level. Mobley is great in the paint, but he also showed that he could defend multiple positions. If the Cavs were to draft Duren or Williams, it’s not crazy to think one of them could be on the floor along with Mobley and Allen at times, in my opinion. Right now I would say it is out of the question to play that way this next season ahead. But, it’s something to think about as you watch Mobley’s development.
As with most of the scouting reports I’ve done, Williams is a player that would likely fit with the Cavs very well. That said, should they draft him as opposed to a player that can add feasibly more shot creation, and scoring from the wing? Well, ultimately that’s for the front office to decide.
For now though, let’s not forget about Mark Williams and Jalen Duren just because Cleveland already has some great big men.