Cavs’ Ochai Agbaji can make his mark, regardless of swing skill growth

Agbaji could still make his presence felt, even if the swing skill progression isn’t there

As we expressed, Agbaji could be a player that can make his imprint on games as a key catch-and-shoot target for the likes of Darius Garland and others to look for on the outside for spot-ups, off movement and feasibly during plays from relocation.

Also, as far as a counter for perimeter shooting for him, as he demonstrated at Kansas, he is a gifted athlete vertically, and his 6-foot-10 wingspan helps him as a shooter, and should as a defender in due time.

Anyways, whether or not there is marketed growth in coming years that can actually materialize in games in the on-ball sense, Agbaji can still make his mark for the Cavaliers, regardless. It’s not hard to envision his outlook with the team, either.

It was not the NBA, no, but him placing in the 94th percentile as a senior at KU in catch-and-shoot plays, per Synergy Sports, was impressive. His shooting on the big stage was, too, leading to him being the 2022 NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player in a national title season to close out.

Granted, we’ll again have to see what transpires as it pertains to the minutes outlook for Agbaji throughout his rookie season and/or looking onward for the 2 and 3 spots.

But generally speaking, no matter if the swing skill development is there, he could still make his presence felt in a sizeable way, if the catch-and-shoot play does translate. With him demonstrating he could knock down very deep college threes off-the-catch, though, even with a deeper NBA three in tow, I definitely believe he can be an impact shooter for Cleveland if the chances come and he stays healthy.