Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Big Board Top 5: Who to take at the top?

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Paolo Banchero, Duke Blue Devils. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images /

Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Big Board No. 2: Paolo Banchero, Big, Duke

Paolo Banchero may be the most NBA-ready player in this draft, and perhaps to come out of the draft in some years. He is a 6’10” scoring machine, with the handle and scoring bag of a guard but the size of a big. The secondary shot creator that the Cavs were looking for all of last season could join them via the draft in the form of Banchero.

The fit of Banchero at the 3 is trickier than Smith, so he may have to come off the bench as the backup 4 behind Evan Mobley. His size would make him a decent fit with Mobley, taking on the larger frontcourt players to let Mobley rove more. Offensively it would be a punishing combination, and ultimately Banchero’s talent should win out.

Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Big Board No. 3: Chet Holmgren, Big, Gonzaga

This is the trickiest decision of all; if that Cavs land at No. 3 and the draft board plays out like this, who should they take at No. 3? Chet Holmgren is a generational talent but also an incredibly unique player who doesn’t really fit on the Cavs; they already have the lanky modern-big analytical darling in Evan Mobley. Could the two co-exist? Or do the Cavs trade out of this spot to find a player who better fits their roster?

It’s a tough call. If they were to take Holmgren and bet on talent, perhaps his shooting and passing are enough to let him survive in the Markkanen role as a jumbo 3; if any team were willing to try it the Cavs would be it. They could lean into zone looks or switch-everything big combinations, and offensively he and Mobley would run some bizarre but potentially lethal two-man game looks. It might not work, but if it did it would be insane.