Two realistic expectations for Cavs’ Ochai Agbaji in his rookie year

Realistic expectation #1: Shoot nearly 40% from three, mostly in catch-and-shoot situations

Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman recently had the following to say about Agbaji’s shooting in an introductory draft presser on Friday, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

"“(He) brings a skillset that we don’t necessarily have,” Altman said. “That skillset is going to be utilized, we hope, right away. He can really shoot. He’s got a really quick trigger. You can run him off screens. The shooting piece was important. The fact he can play wing, he can guard wings, is great.”"

One thing that has been very high on the organization’s wish list this offseason has indeed been shooting. After being without Collin Sexton for most of the year because of injury, the only three-point threats on the team were point guard Darius Garland, guard Caris LeVert (later on), forwards Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love and wing Cedi Osman. There’s definitely streakiness with Osman and LeVert, though.

With Agbaji now in the fold, he should improve that area, right away, as Koby Altman pointed out. In his final year at Kansas he attempted 6.5 three point attempts per game, and was hitting them at almost a 41% rate, primarily via catch-and-shoots.

With how much of the league is shooting three-pointers, Agbaji will not have trouble finding more than a couple open shots per game. His shooting form is great, with a solid base, and quick release to get the ball out of his hands before shot-blockers approach him.

In 29 of the 39 games he played at Kansas last year, he had multiple three-pointers. He’s not the most explosive or fast guard, but he gets the job done when shooting the ball. With that being said, I was tempted to put 40% here, considering he was a lottery pick. But, I’ll set the expectations a bit lower, so nearly 40%; I’ll go in the 38-plus percent ball park.