Redrafting the past 4 NBA Drafts for the Cleveland Cavaliers

The 2020 and 2021 NBA Drafts

Let’s theoretically think that the Cavs had the same record and same draft pick, even considering the difference in the roster makeup. Cleveland had the 5th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball, and Patrick Williams all are off the board when the Cavs have their pick roll around. Cleveland eventually selected Auburn’s Isaac Okoro, a defensive wing who was capable of finishing in traffic and being a solid on-ball defender.

There are many players available for the Cavs to take at 5th overall, such as Saddiq Bey, Tyrese Haliburton, and Tyrese Maxey. However, I think the pick that the Cavs could have taken in this scenario would come later in the draft. With the 5th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, my Cleveland Cavaliers select….

Desmond Bane

I remember watching the draft, I was really tired, as it was getting late. Desmond Bane was still on the board and I texted my friend like, “Wow, he is falling.“ Why did he fall? I still do not know. I knew he would be a good player, and I assumed he would fall around 15-20. Tyrese Maxey could have been the pick here, but I think considering the Cavaliers have drafted two guards in the past two drafts, they should focus on someone not a guard (crazy idea, Sacramento Kings). Bane could play the 3 and knock down shots for the Cavs if he was drafted here.

Looking back at last years’ draft

Lastly we have the 2021 NBA Draft, where the Cavaliers selected Evan Mobley. Ultimately, he has been a phenomenal pick for Cleveland, almost winning Rookie of the Year, losing out to the Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes. The first two picks were Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green, selected by the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets, respectively. Mobley fit a perfect need for the Cavs, as they needed a power forward, considering Kevin Love was getting older, and they had young players at every position.

So basically, the two players in debate for this spot are Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley. Obviously, the Mobley and Jarrett Allen pairing in the frontcourt (let’s just assume Cleveland still trades for Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn). Both players have been great rim-protectors, and both have lateral quickness that is fast enough to keep up with smaller players. Barnes won Rookie of the Year, and was one of the best Toronto rookies in a while. His flashes of playmaking, solid defense, and good scoring was enough to make him Rookie of the Year, along with Toronto’s strong finish.

Ultimately, if I redid the draft, and the players selected had the same impact and stats on any team, I would select….

Scottie Barnes

Cavs fans, don’t kill me. I like Barnes over Mobley, sue me. In an article I wrote previously, I talked about why Barnes deserved ROY over Mobley. If I had the chance, would I put Barnes on the Cavs and Mobley on the Raptors? No, both teams would be impacted positively and negatively by this move, and it is better off for both sides to keep their rookies.

That said, if this is a fantasy world and both players have the same stats, impact, and play on both teams, I would take Barnes, considering he has better perimeter defense, and the Cavs already have rim protection in Jarrett Allen.

So let’s recap. The Cavs selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Garland, Desmond Bane, and Scottie Barnes in the last 4 drafts, while also trading for Jarrett Allen. The lineup of the Cavs would consist of DG, Shai, Bane, Barnes, and Allen. Kevin Love, Lauri Markkanen, and Caris LeVert would all be coming off the bench here, giving Cleveland one of the best starting lineups and benches in the league, having both solid defense and great offense.

Of course, this is not a fantasy world, and the Cavaliers don’t have the ability to go back in time to select these players.