3 prospects the Cavs should avoid in the 2022 NBA Draft
In the 2022 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers have the 14th overall pick, the 39th overall pick, and the 56th overall pick. This draft will have a tremendous ripple effect, good or bad, on the Cavaliers’ future. Cleveland already showed that they can be a solid team in this league, but needs a few other pieces to compete highly.
There are a few holes that the Cavs need to fill, and the draft seems like a perfect place to start. In my opinion, a backup point guard is the most desperate need at this point, as both Rajon Rondo and Brandon Goodwin are entering free agency, and Rondo is close to retirement. Whatever Cleveland decides to do in this draft, I could be 100% on board with whatever they do, within reason.
Although in this article, I will highlight 3 players (in no particular order) that the Cavs should probably avoid in the draft. These 3 players might be reaches at the first draft pick that the Cavs have at #14, but for the sake of the article, I will still use these players.
And if Cleveland were to potentially look to trade back up into the first round later, with some other pieces/possible assets involved, I’d still rather them steer clear of these prospects. So, let’s get started.
#1 – Patrick Baldwin Jr., Forward
Patrick Baldwin Jr. was supposed to be a first-round talent, but his poor collegiate play has made him drop in many mock drafts. He should’ve been a top 10 pick, if all went according to plan, but now he is slated around the end of the first round or early second round. The 39th overall pick could be a spot where Cleveland could take him, in theory, but I don’t know if he’s the right option. A medium-risk, high-reward pick, in my opinion. Cleveland could take more NBA-ready prospects in the second round at that spot over Baldwin.
He averaged 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on terrible shooting, shooting 34.4% from the field and 26.6% from beyond the arc. The problems don’t stop there. According to a report from Derrick Murray of Babcock Hoops and Basketball News, Baldwin’s vertical was put at 26.5.” That was one of the worst in NBA Combine history. Sure, his ankle injury could’ve been a factor in his poor vertical and subpar play on the court, but I don’t think Cleveland should take the risk anyway.
Who should take Baldwin? Some team in the second round, maybe like the Indiana Pacers, looking for a franchise-altering talent to steer them back into the playoffs. Like I said, Cleveland should probably go for a player that has more experience and is more NBA-ready. If Cleveland does take Baldwin, I wouldn’t be mad. The upside is there, I won’t deny that.
But I am not sure if the Cavaliers should be the ones taking the risk.