Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Notebook: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Scouting Report

Should the Cavs trade back into the first, or play the waiting game?

The Cavaliers offensive issues at the end of the season highlighted their need to find another player who can create shots for himself, and others on the wing. With guys like Ochai Agbaji, Malaki Branham, and possibly even Johnny Davis on the board at 14, the Cavs will likely take a player who will have more of an instant impact at that spot. But, the Cavaliers could have enough ammunition to trade back up into the end of the first round.

Teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors could be looking to instantly add to their team through an established NBA player, rather than draft one. A combination of future draft picks and other players could be enough to get the Cavs back up into the first round, potentially. However, I don’t think the Cavaliers will leverage any of their future for a late first-round pick.

With that being said, it’s possible that with injury concerns and his combine performance, Baldwin Jr. could drop like a rock on draft night. So, it’s definitely a possibility that he’s around when the Cavaliers select in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft. If Koby Altman can find a way to acquire him, he would absolutely be a fit with the Cavalier offensive and defensive philosophy.

Overall, Baldwin Jr. had one bad year. Unfortunately for him it was very bad, and any time a player with his frame has injuries, teams shy away. Despite those things, there is a reason he was the fifth-rated prospect in ESPN’s class of 2021. Based on recent mock drafts, I would think he gets drafted in the late first-round, to early-second.

Having seen what Koby Altman has done with this young team in just a year, I have no doubt that he and Mike Gansey will be monitoring Baldwin Jr.’s situation on draft night.