This Cleveland Cavaliers mock draft has the Cavs’ gambling with the fifth pick.
Bad luck hits the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second year in a row. Despite posting the league’s worst record, the organization will pick fifth in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The team has to start thinking about winning, eventually, as this is their third season in a row with a pick among the top eight. Cleveland selected Collin Sexton eighth, shortly before LeBron left for the Lakers
Koby Altman followed up by taking Collin Sexton with the fifth pick last season, while also adding an intriguing player in Kevin Porter Jr.
Now, the Cavs are fifth again and contention seems as far away as it did when Cleveland was getting dominated up-and-down the floor when John Belein was still sitting in the coaching chair–seems like ages ago, doesn’t it.
The Cavs better do their homework, because they’ve got to find a good player with the fifth pick. It won’t be easy, but it can be done!
Here’s a lock at the latest lottery mock draft after the draft order was revealed Aug. 20.
Picks 1-3
1. Timberwolves, LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawara: The Wolves could really use an injection of excitement–and drafting the kid with the celebrity last name takes care of that.
D’Angelo Russell is the current point guard in Minnesota, but don’t think he’s got such a hold on the franchise that he’ll keep Minnesota from picking LaMelo.
2. Golden State, Obi Toppin, F, Dayton: The pick is rumored to be available, as Golden State is looking for pieces that will help the Warriors be champions again in 2021. Drafting a 19-year-old doesn’t exactly fit this narrative.
The pick will likely be dealt, but for now, the Warriors go outside the box and take Toppin, the college national player of the year who can help right now. He gives the Warriors size and he has the ability to stretch the floor.
3. Charlotte, Anthony Edwards, Georgia, G: Perhaps the best player in the draft falls to Michael Jordan with the third pick, much like he fell into the Bulls’ lap back in 1984.
Picks 4-6
4. Bulls, James Wiseman, C, Memphis: Wiseman is a force in the middle and can be a shot blocking machine. He has no game beyond the perimeter, but thrm. Sure, that’s a lot to ask, but it’s the risk you’ve got to take with the fifth pick when there is no clear player to take here.
Remember when Collin Sexton e Bulls are getting him for inside presence.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently talked about how this was the player the Cavs wanted. They even tried to replicate Wiseman’s place on the roster by acquiring Andre Drummond. On to plan…
5. Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, F: I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on Deni Avdija, but I do know he’s 6-foot-9, 19-years-old, helped his team to a championship last season and most importantly, does not play guard.
This is the shoot for the moon pick the Cavs need to make. Ideally, Avdija is the second coming of Luca Doncic and with a year, is taking the league by stowas the eighth pick? It was safe. He’s a nice player. But who would you rather have right now? Sexton or Michael Porter, who looks like he’ll be a fixture in Denver playing alongside Nikola Jokic for the foreseeable future.
As for Avdija, he could be a superstar. That said, he could be out of the league, as well, in three years. If he hits, the Cavs our on their way.
6. Hawks, Onyeka Okongwu: The Hawks have their franchise star in Trae Young, but now they add some much needed help and efense.
7. Pistons, Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: Detroit gets a point guard who can double as a deadly spot-up shooter. The ‘Stons need a big-time facilitator and Haliburton fits the mold. It wouldn’t be surprising too see him go a spot higher.
8. Knicks, Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm, PG: You can just see the virtual boos on draft night being directed toward Hayes on draft night. Give him a shot, NYC. Hayes is a french American who stands at 6-foot-5.
His long-range jumper needs some work, but he should be a sound distributor from day one.
Look for New York fans to champion Cole Anthony, the son of NYC basketball legend Greg Anthony.
9. Wizards, Isaac Okoro, F, Washington. This pick comes with the assumption the Wizards will trade Bradley Beal, so adding the 6-foot-6 Okoro gives Washington a player they can plug in on the wing.
10. Suns, Cole Anthony, UNC, PG: Some thought Anthony would be the best player in college last season, but an injury derailed any chance of that happening. He’s still loaded with skills and Suns can’t resist but to pair him with Devin Booker, making for an interesting match in the desert.
Picks 11-14
11. Spurs, Saddiq Bey, F: The selection of Bey would be classic Spurs. The 6-foot-8 forward can play defense and hit shots from the perimeter.
12 Kings, Devin Vassell, SF: When in doubt, take a guy who is 6-foot-6 and plays the wing.
13. Pelicans, Aaron Nesmith, G/F: The Pelicans have their star in Zion Williamson and a very talented player in Brandon Ingram. With Lonzo running the point, the team could use another space creator. Enter Nesmith, who shot 52.2 percent from 3-point range before his season ended in January due to injury.
14. Boston, Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State: His college stats weren’t overwhelmingly great, but his coach held kind or reigned him in during his time in Tallahassee.
Williams averaged 22 minutes per game. The 6-foot-8 wing is the younger player in the draft, having just turned 19.