3 reasons Ousmane Dieng should be Cavs’ pick at #14 in 2022 NBA Draft

#2: The Cavs can afford to be patient with his development

Dieng is super talented, but he’s still raw and isn’t ready to have a big role right away. The Cavaliers aren’t in a situation where they are devoid of talent or where they feel pressured to start him right away or to give him 31-35 minutes a game early. They’re in a situation where they can be patient with Dieng and bring him and his development along slowly in this system and with a young, emerging team.

Once the Cavaliers got the 14th pick, it was hard to envision any of the rumored targets being inserted into the starting lineup immediately. I think the most likely scenario is they run it back with the same lineup they had last year. Adding more shot creators (with Collin Sexton seemingly likely returning), while adding another ball handler in free agency as well as LeVert being more acclimated with the team/system.

Any next steps forward the Cavaliers make next year will be interally with Darius Garland/Evan Mobley taking the next step, it being a big year for Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen/LeVert another year in the system and the full return of Sexton and to a lesser degree, Jarrett Allen.

Now, that isn’t to say Dieng wouldn’t get a good number of minutes, but the Cavs can afford to bring him along slowly and do what’s best for his development, rather than thrusting him into the starting lineup or heavy minutes.