Latest rookie rankings a reminder Cavs got lucky in NBA Draft

Sometimes, you just need a little luck–and the Cavs won the lottery with the third pick in last summer’s NBA Draft, when Evan Mobley fell into the downtrodden franchise’s lap.

I bring this up because The Athletic’s Sam Vencie recently published his updated rookie rankings, and Cavs’ big man Evan Mobley firmly remains No. 1 on the list.

The USC product is averaging 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per night, to go along with 2.6 assists.

Mobley was never seriously discussed as an All-Star candidate because he’s a rookie (even LeBron didn’t make it in his first year), but there was an obvious case to be made.

Here’s what Vencie wrote about Mobley (subscription required), offering some high praise compared to veterans in the Eastern Conference:

"“He has been, by far, the most consistently good rookie this season. He had a borderline All-Star case, and after having gone through the process of figuring out whom I’d name to those teams, I realized I would have Mobley in the range of being a top-20 player in the Eastern Conference so far this season. No other rookie league-wide has anywhere near that case.”"

Here’s how the rest of the top 10 shakes out: 2. Franz Wagner, Magic; 3. Scottie Barnres, Raptors; 4. Cade Cunningham, Pistons; 5. Herb Jones, Pelicans; 6. Thunder, Josh Giddey; 7. Pacers, Chris Duarte; 8. Bulls, Ayo Dosunmu; 9. Kings, Davion Mitchell; 10. Magic , Jalen Suggs.

I know you’re all thinking it, so, Jalen Green was No. 14! The second overall pick was No. 14!

"“…Since the calendar [Green] has turned to the new year is shooting 35 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3 while struggling to play winning basketball on a bad team. After a prolonged slump throughout January, he’s starting to turn it around over the last few weeks, averaging 15 points. But even that little positive six-game run still sees him shooting under 40 percent from the field and 28 percent from 3.”"

Vencie stresses this is a year-long ranking and quick defended the traits Green possesses long-term. He wrote that Green has the potential to “get good in a hurry” because of those aforementioned abilities.

Green just turned 20 (today), so nobody is writing him off. That said, about having some good luck…the Cavs needed someone to buy into contributing on offense, but capable of playing winning, defensive basketball as well.

Right now, nobody would describe Green as a good defender.

As for Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick has come on strong after missing a lot of time early in the season with an injury. Cunningham’s been a 17-5-5 guy since November, but even so, Vencie isn’t ready to bump Barnes out of the three spot.

Cunningham and Green may very well still be Hall of Famers, we’ll see.  Remember, things didn’t really click for Darius Garland until this season.

With that being said, Cavs’ fans are all in on Mobley and wouldn’t trade him for anyone else in his draft class.

Mobley goes, I think it’s fair to say nobody would trade him for anyone else in his draft class.