The Cleveland Cavaliers will likely be disappointed to have another middling pick, albeit in a weak draft. They have been one of the worst teams in the league for the last two years and still lack a clear franchise cornerstone after the departure of LeBron James in 2018.
Colin Sexton and Darius Garland are two ball-dominant guards, who, although they have shown sparks of being great shot creators, they don’t play the other side of the ball.
The Cavs just don’t have plus NBA defenders on their roster.
But, with the number five pick, they could take small forward Isaac Okoro out of Auburn. Okoro is a spark plug wing who could provide wing defense and be the rim attacking presence that contrasts with Sexton.
Okoro is six-foot-six with a six-foot-nine wingspan and is an absolute menace on that end of the floor. He can guard multiple positions and projects as a great team defender too.
Though his shot needs work, his athleticism, combined with his touch, makes him a great finisher at the rim, and he has great IQ to set up his teammates.
The league is short on wings, so the Cavs should take someone who looks like a sure thing in Okoro.
European guard Killian Hayes has been up and down draft boards over the last few months, mocked as high as number one with some sites.
Hayes is a dynamic guard with great size and length. He is six-foot-five with a six-foot-eight wingspan.
Hayes main calling card is his playmaking, so you’re probably wondering why I’ve mocked him to the Atlanta Hawks, who already have the mercurial Trae Young.
Firstly, the Hawks aren’t yet in a position where they can draft for fit. They need to take the best player available. If Hayes is there at five, they should jump at the opportunity to draft him.
His size and shot creation ability for himself and others mean that he could be the perfect fit next to Trae. He can defend and is already a strong 215 pounds even though he is still only 18. Having a defender next to Trae who can take the tougher guard assignments is imperative for the Hawks defensive identity.
Hayes shooting hasn’t come on fully, but as an 80 percent free-throw shooter, this shouldn’t be a problem. He is one of the best guards in this draft, and he could be a more safe option than someone like LaMelo Ball.