The Cleveland Cavaliers should have a plethora of options when their first pick comes around in the 2022 NBA Draft. Sitting just inside the lottery, there will be plenty of talented players left on the board, ready to make an immediate impact on a surging Cavs team.
What makes their situation interesting is the different directions they could go with their pick. The Cavs opened some eyes this past season with more wins than losses, but there are still a few holes that need to be addressed. The draft could help address those holes as soon as this season, they just need to make sure they draft the right player of course, and at #14 overall, in particular.
While this isn’t an article on how good the Cavaliers have been at drafting players over the last few seasons or so, it is worth mentioning that they rarely miss on their selections in recent years past. I mean, drafting Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Evan Mobley in a four-year stretch is pretty incredible. No, it’s not likely that the Cavs will be drafting a player of their caliber at 14, but rest assured they will maximize the value of their pick.
One of the main issues the Cavaliers had this past season was the lack of playmaking when Darius Garland sat for a breather. This could be solved with the possible return of Collin Sexton and/or Ricky Rubio, but nothing is guaranteed. There should be a few prospects left on the board that can relieve some of the playmaking pressure off the bench.
Another issue was the lack of outside shooting. Isaac Okoro held down the perimeter on defense, but he came up short on the other end of the floor. As perimeter shooting becomes increasingly important in the NBA, the Cavaliers need to add some flamethrowers on the outside. That’s something that could be addressed on Thursday.
While I believe these two issues can be taken care of by the Cavs in the draft, they can also sign an experienced free agent to fill those voids. If that’s their plan, then they can have some real fun when it’s their turn to make a selection. Picking the best player available is always exciting.
Whether they choose to fill a need or pick the best player on the board, there will be plenty of players available to them that can contribute this season. Let’s take a look at five realistic draft prospects that can make an immediate impact on the Cavs this season.
#1: Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams might be the best player in this draft that isn’t necessarily a household name. Coming out of Santa Clara, Williams didn’t get a whole lot of national attention. Don’t let that get in the way of the fact that the guy is really good at the game of basketball. I mean like, really good.
At 6’6″, 209 pounds, Jalen Williams has the size to play one through three. More importantly, he has the skill to allow him to play one through three. He can initiate the offense with his ability to pick apart a defense with ease. His playmaking abilities are off the charts.
He averaged a team-high 4.2 assists per game, but the numbers don’t do it justice. He passes the eye test with his insane ability to dissect defenses and throw laser passes to his teammates. He wouldn’t be your traditional playmaker off the bench, but he fits the bill.
Along with his playmaking, Williams can score from just about anywhere. In 2022, he shot 51.3% from the field and 39.6% from three while averaging 18 points per game. He can score out of isolation, he can knock down threes off the dribble, he get to the his spots and drain mid-range jumpers and he can finish strong around the rim. What more can you ask from him?
As far as defense is concerned, Williams knocks down passes and blocks shots with his 7’2″ wingspan. The 21-year-old has also shown flashes of being able to guard almost every position on the floor. He’s not the most polished defender, but he has the traits to excel at the next level.
All in all, Jalen Williams is a player that does everything well. He would fit right in with the second unit and shine by orchestrating the offense at the top of the key and getting to his spots to knock down jumpers and attack the rim. No rookie is perfect, but Williams has the ability to make an impact in 2022-23 and become an All-Star down the road.
#2: TyTy Washington Jr.
The Cavaliers’ first-round selection will tell you a lot about what their plans are in free agency. If they select TyTy Washington Jr. out of Kentucky, just know that Ricky Rubio is probably not coming back.
Washington would absolutely fill the Cavs need of a playmaker off the bench. He averaged 3.9 assists for the Wildcats in 2022, including a school-record 17 assists in a single game, breaking the previous record of 16 held by John Wall.
Not only can he move the basketball around, he’s crafty around the rim and is always looking to make the best play possible. Washington is an extremely unselfish player, who also knows when it’s his turn to put the ball in the basket. He’s a smart player, and you can never have enough of those.
While he is a tremendous playmaker, he lacks consistency in outside shooting. He shot 35% from three this past season, which isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. However, he does have good shooting mechanics and he has flashed the ability to get hot and make the defense respect him as a catch-and-shoot threat. He should be able to develop his jumper in no time once he reaches the NBA.
With a teammate like Caris LeVert, coming off the bench, Washington doesn’t need to set the court on fire with his shooting. Being an elite, playmaking specialist off the bench would do wonders for this team.
If the Cavaliers are looking for a cheap solution to their playmaking issue off the bench, then look no further than TyTyWashington Jr. He would provide a much needed spark to ignite to the second unit while Darius Garland would be getting some much needed rest.
#3: Mark Williams
While this would probably not be the most popular pick among Cavs fans, there is no denying that Mark Williams would make a big impact off the bench from day one.
A backup center isn’t the biggest need for the Cavs, but it is a hole that needs to be filled at some point. Using draft capital on it wouldn’t be the best route in my opinion, but I wouldn’t be upset if they used their pick on the former Duke big man.
Mark Williams is a tank. He stands at 7’0″, weighs 240 pounds and uses every bit of his size in the paint. In 2021-22, Williams bullied his way to averaging 11.2 points per game and 7.4 rebounds for Duke. He flashed potential to be an elite finisher in the NBA by knowing how to use his body against defenders in college.
However, his finishing ability is not his bread and butter. His calling card is on the defensive side of the court. Mark Williams might have been the best defender in college basketball last season. He averaged an ACC-leading 2.8 blocks per game, helping him win the 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.
Williams is an absolute force in the paint on both ends of the floor. The only problem with picking the big man with the No. 14 pick, is that they would be picking a big man with the No.14 pick. Finding someone to spell Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley off the bench is a need, but filling that need in the first round is a little high for me.
Nevertheless, Williams would make an immediate impact this season. He would dominate other second unit bigs, even as a rookie. He has an NBA body and would be brutal to bang down low with.
Opponents would often take advantage of the Cavs when Allen and Mobley were out and slash the defense like it was nothing. With Mark Williams stepping in, that wouldn’t be a problem at all. He would welcome it.
#4: Tari Eason
Tari Eason is one of my favorite 2022 NBA Draft prospects for the Cavs. He doesn’t necessarily fit a need, but that’s not such a bad thing considering he’s one of the best defenders in the draft.
If the Cavs were to select Eason with their first-round pick, they would be a defensive juggernaut this next season. They would have almost no flaws on that end of the floor with a frontcourt of Tari Eason, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Opposing teams would have fits over trying to score on them. It would be a sight to see.
In 2021-22, Eason won the Sixth Man of the Year award playing for the LSU Tigers. Coming off the bench, he was a force on defense. He averaged 1.9 steals per game (5th in the SEC), 1.1 blocks per game (9th in the SEC) and had a defensive rating of 83.2 (2nd in the SEC).
At 6’8″, 215 pounds, Eason frustrated opponents to no end. He used his long arms and extreme athleticism to discombobulate opposing offenses and force bad shots. He was a disruptor at LSU and there’s no reason to believe these traits won’t translate to the NBA immediately.
Defensive traits translate to any level. He has an NBA body matched with outstanding athleticism and a defensive mindset. He is going to be an annoying player to try and score on.
His only downfall is his lack of offensive consistency. He’s a spotty shooter and doesn’t possess the skill to shoot off the dribble. He has a quick first step, but his offensive game is predictable as he relies on his athleticism to put up points. This is something that might not translate to the NBA as well as his defense.
He does show glimpses of hope on offense with improving shooting mechanics and strong attacks to the basket, he just has some polishing to do in the offseason. However, offense is not what Eason would be drafted for. He would turn the Cavaliers’ already good defense into an elite defense; maybe the best in the NBA. This is why he should be close to the top of most big boards for the Cavs heading into the draft.
#5: Ochai Agbaji
I’m the type of guy that likes to pick for both need and best player available. In my opinion, that could describe Ochai Agbaji on Thursday. Agbaji is the perfect 3-and-D prospect for the Cavs. He would fit seamlessly into the rotation and make his impact felt from the jump.
He’s been a steadily-improving shooter from deep, and last season, shot 40.7% from three on 6.5 attempts per game last season. His form is pure and he shows the ability to shoot off the dribble with ease. He doesn’t handle the ball as well as some, but he knows how to get to his spots and make defenders pay.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Agbaji’s game is how he rises to the occasion in big games. Take the Final Four game against Villanova for example. He scored an efficient 21 points on 75% from the field, including six threes on just eight attempts. He was eventually named the 2022 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. If that doesn’t say “NBA ready”, then I don’t know what does.
Aside from being one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball, Agbaji also excels at defending the perimeter. He flashed all kinds of defensive potential in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. From intercepting passes to fast recovery for a chasedown block, he can really do it all on that end of the floor.
While he might not be the most flashy pick, he would come in and contribute right away. He could serve as the two-way wing the Cavs have needed for some time now. Isaac Okoro can play defense, but he hasn’t shown consistency with his outside shooting. Dylan Windler can shoot, but he’s not much of a defender. Ochai Agbaji can both of those things at a relatively high level. Not to mention, he has championship pedigree.
He would be the player that would make the most immediate impact on a Cavaliers team that has just scratched the surface of winning. Agbaji wouldn’t fix the entire shooting problem the Cavs have, but he would make a noticeable difference in that department.
To players like Darius Garland, Ochai Agbaji is a dream come true.