Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Notebook: E.J. Liddell Scouting Report

14 might be too early for the Cavs, but 39 is likely too late for Liddell

Liddell is one of the players that seems to have a wide range where he might be selected. There’s no doubt that he can have a positive impact next year on any team. However, his age (will turn 22 in December) and his position will be talking points as we get closer to the 2022 NBA Draft.

As I said earlier, to likely a lot of scouts and teams, Liddell is really in between positions. He has the height and offensive ability to play the wing, but on the defensive end he might struggle. With that being said, it doesn’t hurt that the Cavaliers have Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley protecting the rim behind them.

The real question the Cavaliers front office will have to weigh if they like Liddell, is where they will draft him. After missing out on the playoffs the Cavs have the last lottery spot, and there are likely too many impressive wing prospects for the Cavs to take with their first pick. But, their next pick is the 39th, and Liddell will likely be long gone at that spot.

If the Cavaliers really like Liddell, and think that he, along with the prospect they pick at 14, can help them get to the playoffs next year, they have the ammunition to trade back up into the first round.

With two second-round draft picks, and potential trade pieces such as Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, and even Cedi Osman, it shouldn’t be hard to sell a team like the Miami Heat or the Memphis Grizzlies on veteran help as opposed to drafting a rookie. Personally, I don’t like the idea of giving away assets when the Cavaliers are still very young, but if it can help them become a real threat in the Eastern Conference, it would be hard to pass up.

If the NBA Finals have shown us anything in it’s early stages, it’s that teams can become real contenders while also being “homegrown.” Both the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors have built their teams through the draft and some small trades.

With a core of Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen, the Wine and Gold are ready to contend next year. EJ Liddell may or may not be a Cavalier in nearly three weeks, but I do believe he will be able to have a good, immediate impact on a good NBA team next year.

But, I will say his Marvel movie rankings list might be a red-flag. Ant-Man and the Wasp was a good movie, but it was not Marvel’s best.

In fairness, Liddell did eventually respond in a tweet that his rankings were based on what he enjoyed the most, not the best movies in the list, per se. Regardless, the list of his preferences was still pretty off the mark, objectively. Come on E.J., be better.