Johnny Davis could be a perfect fit for Cavs in the NBA Draft
Davis can be a top-tier defender and make Sexton expendable
I can’t know for sure, but I’d assume one of the first things Cavalier head coach J.B. Bickerstaff looks for in a prospect is how willing he is to play defense. Not only is Johnny Davis willing to play defense, but he has a chance to be a very good defender early on in his career. You can tell by watching him that he takes pride on the defensive end of the court.
He will need to add some bulk to his lean frame, but he also has long arms that help him get into passing lanes, and disrupt ball-handlers. With as much effort he puts into his offense, his willingness to put it all on the line on the defensive end is something that sets him apart from a lot of the other players will be drafted around him.
However, maybe the most fascinating aspect of the Cavaliers drafting Davis is that it would make both Caris LeVert and Collin Sexton expendable. Sexton and LeVert are two very similar players, so it’s hard to imagine the Cavs want to retain both of them. However, with the reports saying the Cavaliers “definitely” want to re-sign Sexton, a Davis selection would feasibly make LeVert expendable. Personally, I would hang on to LeVert considering his trade value would be higher, and he has the size edge on Sexton. However, while both are good players, one can definitely be used as an asset to help the Cavaliers this upcoming season.
I still have my doubts that Davis will slip to the 14th pick. Honestly, I think his outlook on the defensive end is similar to that of Dyson Daniels, who’s projected to go in the top-8 on most mock drafts. On top of that, Davis has a better shooting form, and much more offensive potential than Daniels at this point in their careers. I’m skeptical that Davis will be available, but stranger things have happened on draft night.