Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Notebook: Dalen Terry Scouting Report

Terry and Beauchamp in the mix at #14?

In an article for Cleveland.com on Wednesday, Cavaliers beat writer Chris Fedor reported (subscription required) that both Beauchamp and Terry were in the mix with the 14th pick. Terry and Beauchamp thrive on the defensive end, and I know J.B. Bickerstaff loves to push defense, so does adding a player whose only significant strength at this time is his defense make sense?

Personally I would not. The big lineup was very successful this past year for the Cavs, when the three bigs were healthy. However, it’s up in the air if they want to continue to play like that long term, in my opinion. I would think they would rather divert back to a regular lineup eventually. So, with that being said, I just don’t see how the Cavaliers can justify taking either player at #14.

Don’t get me wrong, I like both these players a lot, and do think they would be great defensive additions to whoever selects them. Terry is incredibly athletic, but he can get lost on the court. Some possessions he will just stay in the corner for the entire shot clock. Improving his jumper would not only help his game, but it would help his teammates as well. Terry isn’t the best shooter or scorer; still, for a long wing player like he is, he is a very good playmaker, which could end up freeing up guys like Darius Garland and Lauri Markkanen.

Like I said I’m a fan of both players, because they both will almost certainly be good on the defensive end in the NBA. But, I just don’t see the Cavs going with either, considering it’s a lot of risk, for potentially a low reward that high in the draft.

With that being said, the positionless movement is all over the NBA right now, so a team might look to add him as a defensive stopper now, and help him develop his offensive game over time.

Either way, I’m just ready to see who the Cavs leave draft night with on their roster, especially at #14.