Cleveland Cavaliers can still get a great player with the 5th pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers received the fifth pick in the NBA Draft, despite having the best odds at the top overall pick.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be picking fifth in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft, this after entering the NBA Draft Lottery tied for the best odds to win the lottery and receive the top pick overall. The Cavaliers will more than likely not get one of the three more vaunted prospects in Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, or Lamelo Ball.

That doesn’t mean the team won’t have a chance at a big-time game changer, as other names, like Obi Toppin and Deni Avdija, are in play for them.

The Cavaliers had the fifth overall pick in 2019 as well and drafted Darius Garland, who disappointed in his rookie year with the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers don’t have a history of taking great guards in the top 10, especially in recent memory, with names like Dajuan Wagner, Luke Jackson, and Dion Waiters all failed to catch on. So the Cavs defaulting to a forward isn’t the worst thing for this club. The team can always pursue a veteran ball handler instead.

ESPN already has an NBA Mock Draft up by Mike Schmitz and Jonathan Givony. The two men have Ball going to the Timberwolves, Edwards going to the Warriors, Wiseman going to the Hornets, Topping going to Chicago, and Avdija going to Cavaliers.

You can see the complete draft order below.

"14. Celtics (from Memphis)13. Pelicans12. Kings11. Spurs10. Suns9. Wizards8. Knicks7. Pistons6. Hawks5. Cavs4. Bulls3. Hornets2. Warriors1. Timberwolves"

Avdija may not seem like the most ideal pick but the potential Avdija has is high. He’s seen as a great floor spacer, who can knock down shots from both mid and long-range. He hasn’t played all that much yet, but he’s also just 19 years old and only played 14 minutes a game for Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv. His PER 36 had him averaging 10 points and 6.6 rebounds a game, on 44% shooting from inside the arc. His three-point shot wasn’t there this year, only hitting 27%

As Maccabi FOX plays in the EuroLeague, however, you know he’s facing NBA caliber talent. He also had a chance to learn from former Cavalier Omri Caspi who played for Maccabi FOX as well in the 2019-2020 season.

Let us know if you’re confident with the Cavaliers in the 5th spot in this year’s NBA Draft in the comments down below.