The 2022 NBA Draft was the most exciting one we have had in many years. From the top, all the way to the bottom, most picks came down to the wire, and there was no real consensus on who would select what prospect, and when. After the initial shock of the Orlando Magic’s number one overall pick being Paolo Banchero, there were a couple more surprises in store for the viewer. However, the Cleveland Cavalilers seemingly knew for a while that former Kansas Jayhawk guard Ochai Agbaji could be their guy at 14.
Right after the Charlotte Hornets drafted Jalen Duren, who would eventually be sent to the Detroit Pistons, with the 13th pick, the Cavaliers handed their card in with Agbaji’s name on it. The former Big-12 Player of the Year is a great spot-up shooter and fits a desperate need for shooting on the Cavalier roster. But, the selection of Agbaji is a bit of a change of pace in the Cavalier front office’s line of thinking.
In 2019, the Cavs drafted Darius Garland with the fifth overall pick, after playing only a handful of games at Vanderbilt because of a meniscus injury. He was looked at as more of a longer-term project than other prospects at that spot.
In 2020, the Cavs selected Isaac Okoro with the fifth overall pick as well. Okoro has been decent in a Cavaliers uniform, but it seems like he may never reach his potential. Or at least not with the Cavs.
The drafting of the 22-year old Agbaji is a bit of a surprise for Koby Altman, considering the previous three high Cavalier first-round picks were made on longer-term projects; it’s tough to have thought Evan Mobley would be as impactful as he was in Year 1. With that being said, it clearly means the Cavaliers are ready to win right now.
So, with that in mind, we’ll take a look at two realistic expectations for Agbaji in his first season with the Wine and Gold.