For fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, following the 2022 NBA Draft cycle leading into the night of the draft itself is a difficult proposition. The team itself isn’t broadcasting its evaluations or posting online a ranking of its personal draft board, so to learn about which players the Cavs might be locking on to, fans have to look elsewhere.
They can watch to see which players the team brings in for workouts, but that can be misleading and still leaves things at a very general level. Combing the comments and reporting of the beat writers is a great option too, but those crumbs can be hard to piece together.
The Cavs aren’t talking about which prospects they like most in the 2022 NBA Draft. What can mock drafts reveal to us about their potential picks?
One other avenue to putting the picture together is to look around at the various mock drafts being conducted by media members and draft analysts. These are often a combination of player evaluation, team needs and gathered intel, so they are informed to a level that can be useful in understanding who the Cavs are thinking about, and who could be available to them.
To that end, we’ve gathered something of a “consensus” mock draft for the Cavs. We pulled in mock drafts from ESPN, The Ringer, CBSSports.com, Sports Illustrated, Tankathon, No Ceilings and The Athletic. Some of them just projected the first round, while others did the entire 58 picks in this year’s draft.
Let’s see who were the most popular picks at each spot, starting with a three-way tie for pick number 14.
Consensus 2022 Mock Draft: Who could Cavs get at 14?
T1. Johnny Davis, Guard, Wisconsin – 2 (The Ringer, The Athletic)
Benefiting from The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor updating his mock draft just today (Monday) Johnny Davis jumps into a tie for first. There was a time when David was expected to go in the Top 5 after a dominant college season, but an inefficient end to the season and the normal nitpicking of the late draft cycle have depressed his stock. His on-ball creation and defense would fill multiple holes, and the Cavs would likely be quite pleased to see him still available at 14.
T1. Ochai Agbaji, Wing, Kansas – 2 (ESPN, No Ceilings)
The OG pick at No. 14, Ochai Agbaji was popularly mocked to the Cavs earlier in the draft cycle before trendier picks (see below) started to bump him out. His ceiling to leap into the mid-lottery seems to have waned, so this may represent something close to the earlier he could go. His length on the perimeter would give the Cavs defensive depth on the wing, and if his shot from earlier in his college career comes back he’ll be a great fit as a 3-and-D role player with a bit more on-ball upside.
T1. Ousmane Dieng, Wing, New Zealand Breakers – 2 (SI, Tankathon)
This is the surprise pick of the group. A few months ago Dieng was not a lock to even go in the first round, but he turned his season around in the NBL and flashed a lot fo the upside scouts were hoping to find. He is charging up draft boards, having overtaken Jalen Williams and Dalen Terry as the current trendy pick, and he is even peeking into the back end of the lottery now. His is raw but could become a starter or even a star on the wing for the Cavs.
4. Malaki Branham, Wing, Ohio State – 1 (CBS)
Since the NBA Draft Lottery the connection between the Cavs and Malaki Branham has been strong, and if we had included the next seven mock drafts perhaps he would have finished first. There’s a great chance he and the Cavs end up together as he is a knockdown shooter with the potential to be more, and the Ohio State connection doesn’t hurt.
Consensus 2022 Mock Draft: Who could Cavs get at 39?
T1. Patrick Baldwin Jr., Forward, Milwaukee – 1 (ESPN)
Once a top-5 prospect in this draft class, Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s stock has fallen more than any other player. He was absolutely atrocious at Milwaukee this past season playing for his father. It’s probable that some team in the late first takes a swing that he can recover those star qualities he once had; it’s also possible he slips into the second round, and if so the Cavs would get to take a swing at what is still impressive upside.
T1. Kennedy Chandler, Guard, Tennessee – 1 (Sports Illustrated)
The Cavs need a backup point guard, and if the draft board falls the way that SI’s Jeremy Woo thinks it might, they could get one at pick No. 39. Kennedy Chandler is a pure point guard who lacks size (just 6’0″) but is fast with the ball in his hands. He has a tight handle and great court vision, and defensively he picks pockets like no one else. He couldn’t play very many minutes with Darius Garland, but he could be an incredible long-term backup at very minimal cost. Poiint guards like Devonte’ Graham and Jalen Brunson have established themselves after going early in the second round, and Chandler could be the latest.
T1. Justin Lewis, Forward, Marquette – 1 (No Ceilings)
Justin Lewis loves to mix it up inside, and the Cavs could honestly use someone who will put his head down and fight inside, whether that is to score at the rim or fight for a rebound. Lewis had an ok shooting season but has to prove in workouts that his shot will continue to improve. If so he could sneak into the top of the second round; if not he will fall, likely past the Cavs as well.
T1. Ryan Rollins, Guard, Toledo – 1 (Tankathon)
Some draft analysts look at Ryan Rollins and see Lou Williams; others see Nick Young. Both were shoot-first guards with smooth dribble moves and the ability to catch fire, but one put together the little things on the margin to have a long NBA career, and the other was nothing more than a bit player. Ryan Rollins could be either, and his bag of tricks is impressive, but he will need to grow as a passer and in playing with effort to stick around in the league.
Consensus 2022 Mock Draft: Who could Cavs get at 56?
1. Keon Ellis, Wing, Alabama – 3 (SI, No Ceilings, Tankathon)
In a rare moment of consensus, three of the five mock drafts we consulted on potential second-round picks tabbed Alabama’s Keon Ellis for the Cavs at pick No. 56. That could be a coincidence, but it could also indicate that the Cavs have been doing their due diligence and looking closely at a player who has fallen down draft boards for some puzzling reason. Ellis is not going to become a star at the next level and he really struggled at Alabama this year in a larger role to create offense, but on a team with other on-ball players, he can be an awesome bench wing to come in and play hard defense and knock down perimeter shots.
T2. Trevion Williams, Big, Purdue – 1 (ESPN)
Two of Purdue’s three best players last season were both bigs, and head coach Matt Painter decided to rarely play the two together. As such Williams came off the bench despite being one of the most productive per-minute players in the country, an absolute masher in the post at 6’10” and 255 pounds. He is a really good passer and rebounder, but concerns about his defense and floor-spacing have locked him into that “traditional big” mold that tends to plummet on draft night. On the Cavs he could be an excellent fit as a change-of-pace big behind Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love.
T2. Hugo Besson, Guard, New Zealand Breakers – 1 (The Athletic)
Back to New Zealand for Dieng’s teammate, Huge Besson, who grew up in France before he played in the NBL. Besson is a score-first guard, with a smooth jumper and a lot of speed. He needs to develop as a passer because he is probably just a backup point guard, but he can be the kind of instant-offense guy a team has in its arsenal to unleash in the right settings.
Who will the Cavs draft in next week’s draft? Obviously, it’s a mystery, especially since they could still trade up, down or out of the draft. If they stay put, these players are those who could be chosen with each of their three picks.