The NBA offseason is here and with the draft approaching, FortyEightMinutes is examining the key questions for each team heading into the big night. Today, we’ll take a look at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Draft Picks
- No.5 (Lottery Pending)
1. Will Collin Sexton be part of the Cavs’ future?
Collin Sexton, who just finished up his third season in the league, had a career season, averaging 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Although, as the year went on, rumors started to spread that Sexton’s teammates were beginning to get frustrated with him because he doesn’t pass enough and opposing players taunting members of the Cavs about it.
Now, does this mean the Cavaliers are going to trade Collin Sexton? No, It just simply means the chemistry for this young team is not where it needs to be and in the future will need to be something they correct if they want to be a successful basketball team. Sexton did shoot 47.2% from the field last season which is pretty efficient for a 22-year-old player. But coming out of Alabama, Sexton was known for his aggressive mentality but he also only averaged just 3.6 assists in college. so his passing ability has never been something that gets raved about.
2. Just how important is this draft to the Cavs?
This pick is crucial. The Cavaliers have struggled to re-establish themselves as a winning team since LeBron James left, finding themselves in the lottery in each of the past three seasons. If they don’t intend to add more picks in this draft by trade, it makes their lone one even more important because they are only giving themselves one try to get this draft right.
The Cavaliers need to build a foundation of young talent and they feel they have started that process. Cleveland is banking on organic growth in that the young guys on the roster will take the next step. They are not in a bad position but they are still very inexperienced outside of Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. Is Cleveland a year or two away from seriously contending for a playoff spot in the east? Probably, unless that next step is a big one.
3. How much pressure rides on GM Koby Altman with this selection?
It’s been reported that there has been no indication from owner Dan Gilbert that Koby Altman’s job is in jeopardy following the 22-win season. While a lot of pressure with this draft falls on the shoulders of Altman, He’s had some moderate success via selecting Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Isaac Okoro—all of whom have at least showed promise and flashes of upside in their short time with the Cavs. It’s unclear exactly how hot Altman’s seat is but the prospect that they select will go a long way toward a better future on the court in Cleveland and whether Altman is there to see it.
4. Does Jarrett Allen‘s restricted free agency impact Cleveland’s draft strategy?
Jarrett Allen was involved in the four-way deal that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets this past season. The center appeared in 51 games for the Cavs (averaging 13.2 PPG, 9.9 REB, and 1.4 BLK per game and now, he enters restricted free agency, meaning the Cavaliers have the option to match any offer that a team.
With the Cavaliers only holding one selection at the moment, Cavaliers must have a clear game plan on what they need and who they want to target. If the Cavs can lock down Allen as expected, it likely rules out a center at No.5, and the team can shift its focus to other needs like potentially a three of four, the latter of which especially if Love ends up elsewhere this offseason.
5. Which Prospects Should Cleveland Target at No.5?
With their lottery pick, Cleveland will likely look to add some talent outside of the guard position due to the fact they already have Garland and Sexton. Expect the Cavs to consider a prospect that can play Small Forward or Power Forward.
No.5: If in fact, this is where Cleveland ends up selecting then the possibility of this pick just being the best player available could be very likely. Jalen Green could be the main focus but the odds of him being there are unlikely. Scottie Barnes is the first name that will come up when you talk about an ideal fit.
Barnes is an athletic forward who could start right away or come off the bench until he develops his game a little more. He came off the bench for a very good Florida State team this past season as a true freshman and contributed a great deal. If the 19-year-old slips past the Cavaliers, he won’t drop very far due to other teams with needs at his position (like the Warriors, as previously mentioned).
Others to consider:
- Jonathan Kuminga could be a fit and he’s expected to go in the top-5 range.
- Forward Jalen Johnson, who averaged 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game at Duke, may be a better fit than Kuminga next to Isaac Okoro, as he slot into the power forward spot more seamlessly. If Johnson can maintain a consistent shot in the NBA, he will be a very tough player to guard and he’ll be more likely to reach his potential.
- Sharpshooting small forward Corey Kispert’s ability to catch-and-shoot (44.0% from three-point land in his final season in Gonzaga) makes him intriguing for this squad. That coupled, with his tendency to move well without the ball and be in the right spots, makes him an ideal target should the Cavaliers trade down in the draft (or find several teams leaping them in the lottery).
