Post-lottery NBA Mock Draft underwhelms for Cleveland Cavaliers

ESPN’s first post-lottery 2019 NBA Mock Draft yields underwhelming results for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who pick fifth.

Since there will be a lack of potential superstar players available with the fifth pick in the NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers could do the most team centric thing possible: Draft Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter.

It’s the opinion of ESPN drat guru Jonathan Givony that Hunter would be chosen by the Cavaliers after Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett and Darius Garland are off the board.

Hunter played for a collegiate program where an emphasis was placed on “team,” and that’s the direction the Cavaliers are positioning themselves to be in.

With a front court of Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Triston Thompson, the Cavs have a need for a shooting guard to pair alongside Collin Sexton. Hunter shot 41 percent from 3-point range last season and would seem to be a fit in John Beilein’s offense, which puts a heavy emphasis on 3’s.

Unfortunately, there are questions as to whether Hunter can create his own shot. With that said, getting a “3 and D” player, who looks like they could be, perhaps, a really good role player, may be the Cavs’ best best at No. 5.

Givony wrote:

"“He had already established himself as one of the best defenders in the college game. He brings positional versatility with long arms, elite lateral quickness and outstanding instincts. While he has some clear limitations offensively as a shot creator and likely isn’t the 3-point shooter his college numbers suggest, his game is made for the modern NBA, and there’s a comfort level in his high floor. While not loaded with upside, Hunter fits a positional need.”"

Hunter played at the highest level collegiately, helping Virginia win the national championship, but the Cavs shouldn’t rule out Cam Reddish at this spot.

The 6-foot-9 Duke freshman was often the third wheel to Williamson and Barrett, but coming out of high school, he was one of the biggest recruiting prizes.

So, Reddish didn’t ball out like some though he should. He still has upside, which experts claim Hunter doesn’t have.

Considering the Cavs’ hired Beilein, a coach who has a track record at developing players, you might want to gamble on Reddish. He wouldn’t have to carry a heavy load playing alongside a healthy Kevin Love, as well as Collin Sexton.

Reddish wasn’t the collegiate shooter Hunter was, shooting just 33 percent from beyond the arc, but the skillset is there. Plus he can help on defense. He’s basically the same player as Hunter, albeit not as a polished. He comes with upside, though.

If Reddish is there, it’s a no brainer. The Cavs should take the other, other, Duke star. Givony mocked Reddish to the Hawks with the eighth pick.

Picks 6 through as 10 were as follows: Jarrett Culver was mocked sixth to the Suns, Coby White seventh to the Bulls, Reddish to the Hawks at No. 8, Sekou Doumbouya to the Wizards at No. 9 and Jaxson Hayes to the Hawks at No. 10.

At 26, the Cavs, go with 6-foot-11 center Goga Bitadze, who is regarded as one of the better. European prospects in the draft.

Givony writes:

"“The Cavs could be looking to shore up their center position long term. Bitadze has been extremely productive at the highest levels of competition outside the NBA, considering his age.His excellent skill level offensively — including his budding ability to stretch the floor — is attractive, given his combination of size and reach.”"

I won’t pretend to know a ton about Bitdadze, but Givony summed it all up. He has the potential to be a stretch big man. Creating space, and the ability to jack up 3’s. That’s today’s basketball.

Our own Mike Graham had the Cavs drafting Utah State’s Neemias Queta at this spot in his pre-lottery mock draft.

Hard to get too worked up about Bitdadze because the Cavs, like all other teams, are gambling on potential and traits this late in the first round.