The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ late-season slide kept them out of the postseason this go-round, which was a bit underwhelming, based on how they played for much of the season. The Cavaliers went only 9-15 post-All-Star break, compared to 35-23 pre-All-Star break.
Injuries to Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade hurt the defense in the closing stretch of the year, and Caris LeVert‘s injury coming out of the All-Star break didn’t enable him to get into a rhythm nearly enough following his trade acquisition from the Indiana Pacers.
There was a positive to come from not making the postseason for Cleveland, though, based on their lottery protection being part of the details involving the LeVert trade, which involved Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract going to Indy, as an aside. Either way, with that lottery protection, which does apply for next year, too, the Cavs this go-round do still have their first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Cleveland has two second-round picks at #39 and #56, but from a roster perspective, it’s difficult to foresee Cleveland making both of those second-round selections. Maybe the Cavaliers look to trade #56, or perhaps even #39 for cash considerations, or a future second down the road.
In relation to #56, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com did state in a report that Cleveland could look to use that on a “draft-and-stash international prospect,” reporting that’s “highly likely” in that spot, to not use a roster spot, but have the prospects’ rights. Perhaps Congolese big man prospect Yannick Nzosa (Unicaja/Liga ACB) or guard Hugo Besson of France (New Zealand Breakers/NBL) are considered there.
As far as the other two draft selections, though, to me, shot creation depth has to be a point of emphasis for Cleveland.
The Cavs have to be valuing shot creation depth/on-ball abilities heavily into their 2022 NBA Draft approach.
To me, with #14 at least seeming to be a rotational contributor next season for the Cavaliers, in the event they do keep that pick, which would seem to be a likely scenario, the Cavs have to be looking for a player that can create for themselves at times.
I’m not against a guy such as Ochai Agbaji, or Dyson Daniels, the latter of whom could help as a primary playmaker for some stretches I’d think, and both could be impact defenders. If the Cavs were to entertain a trade-down, Kendall Brown would be intriguing, too, perhaps.
But at least when it comes to #14, I’d probably the Cavaliers rather look for a player that can create for themselves in set offense, for depth beyond Darius Garland and Collin Sexton (in the event he’s back). That’s where Johnny Davis, if he’s there, maybe Malaki Branham, perhaps the 6-foot-9 Ousmane Dieng, and definitely Jalen Williams could be very attractive in that range, to me, for the Cavaliers.
Davis and Dieng can be meaningful drivers, and Davis, Branham and Williams could all create for themselves on-ball in the mid-range area for Cleveland in stretches off the bench, I believe, and with Davis and Williams, they could be impactful pick-and-roll players. The 6-foot-6 Williams could also be a PnR playmaking presence, too, to that point; the same could apply for Dieng, to some extent.
Now, I know the shot needs work, and he’s right-hand dominant, but Tari Eason’s explosiveness, finishing power and cutting feel, to go with his defensive abilities, make him a sensible selection. His sturdy 6-foot-8 frame factors into his things as well.
Generally, however, overall, looking onward, with it seeming that Caris LeVert, for instance, could be a potential expiring trade piece for Cleveland, and just for more viable on-ball depth, the Cavs have to emphasize shot creation and offensive polish in their draft decision-making.
I’m sure that’s part of it, and having guys that can potentially be two-way players.
I’m not discounting that, either, and Dalen Terry and Alondes Williams as possible second-round targets for Cleveland would make sense for playmaking, and Harrison Ingram as a wing possibility would be sensible. I’d be a fan of Caleb Love to some degree, too, with a big wing or forward selection at #14.
But, especially at #14, having players that can be viable on-ball to take pressure off of Garland/Sexton has to be heavily weighed into the draft process for the Cavs, who, despite injuries, had shot creation limitations last year. Creation/playmaking insurance is part of the rationale here, too, for what it’s worth.
And this is again with the reasoning applying that LeVert, or maybe Sexton if he’s not locked up long term this offseason, are possible trade chips during the offseason, or during next season.
I personally foresee LeVert as being the player I’d rather trade as opposed to extending, if a choice had to made, as an aside. To some extent, Isaac Okoro could be potentially a trade candidate down the road, too, but we’ll leave that for another day.
Anyhow, Cleveland was 20th in offensive rating in 2021-22. Injuries didn’t help, however, while a backup lead guard/wing signing or possible trade can help, along with Sexton back healthy hopefully and more experience, on-ball abilities could via the draft, also.
We’ll see what shakes out on June 23.