Cleveland Cavaliers went into the 2022 NBA Draft with four picks, the 14th selection in the first round and three..."/> Cleveland Cavaliers went into the 2022 NBA Draft with four picks, the 14th selection in the first round and three..."/>
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3 players the Cavs might regret not drafting after Summer League

By Josh Cornelissen

Josh Minott, Memphis Tigers. Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images
Josh Minott, Memphis Tigers. Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images /
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Jabari Walker, Colorado Rockies. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images /

3 players Cavs might regret not drafting after Summer League: Jabari Walker

Originally drafted: 57th to the Portland Trail Blazers

This is the most direct like-for-like comparison on this list. The Cavs, armed with the 56th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, took Australian forward Luke Travers. The perm-topped Aussie displayed a lot of defensive playmaking and some ball-handling and passing skills, but his complete lack of scoring ability makes him a work-in-progress as another draft-and-stash candidate.

One pick later, the Portland Trail Blazers took another defensive playmaker with questionable offensive skills in Jabari Walker. The former Colorado forward was a top-10 defender in the class, but questions about his shot and scoring pushed him way down the list. After Summer League, it’s clear that they shouldn’t have.

Walker shot 66.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from deep en route to averaging 12 points per game, with 8.5 rebounds added on top of that. Walker frequently took on the toughest defensive matchups and slowed down opposing offenses, exerting his will with his length and speed. The Blazers outscored opponents by an average of 11 points per game when he was on the court, one of the best marks in Vegas.

Next. Pros, cons of Zach Lowe’s proposed Cavs trade for Donovan Mitchell. dark

Walker looks like the player now that the Cavs hope Travers will become, a low-usage role player who can knock down shots and be an absolute beast on defense. Cleveland clearly hoped for another stash candidate, but they may regret not taking Walker at the end of the draft. Tari Eason, Josh Minott and Jabari Walker are three players who impressed in Summer League that the Cavs could regret passing on in the NBA Draft.