3 prospects the Cavs should not have passed on in the 2023 NBA Draft
By Ismail Sy
NBA Draft Prospect No. 3: Isaiah Wong
It’s no secret that the Cavs need another playmaker off the bench, as Ricky Rubio simply does not have any gas left in the tank and seems more broken down than a 70s Ford Mustang. Isaiah Wong could have been the perfect playmaker off the bench for the Cavs.
Wong was taken at pick No. 55 by the Indiana Pacers, so six picks after the Cavs. Wong had a stellar season for the University of Miami this past year, winning ACC Player of the Year and being the driving force that led the Hurricanes to the Final Four. Wong is a versatile guard that can play point guard and shooting guard and has a diversified offensive game. He shot the ball very well from three-point range this season at 38%, and he is also great at getting to the rim and finishing through contact.
While he is undersized at 6’4” and 180 pounds, Wong’s scoring gene is something the Cavs could use off the bench and his skill set screams NBA-ready. Bates definitely has more upside, but the theme with this list is adding more NBA-ready prospects to a team that is ready to win now. Wong fits the bill.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Emoni Bates pick for the Cavs. He was once a highly-touted prospect and he has a lot of talent and upside. However, he is a project and will take time to develop. The Cavs are in a position to compete for a championship next season and should have added NBA-ready role players with college experience to a roster that needs depth.
Next. 2 realistic expectations for Emoni Bates in his rookie season. dark
Time will tell if they made the right decision, but any of these three guys would have been perfect fits.