Hometown narrative aside, the Cleveland Cavaliers shouldn’t draft Malaki Branham

The Cleveland Cavaliers should avoid drafting Malaki Branham

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the 14th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and I seem to be one of the few people who want the Cavs to use the pick on a rookie. Usually, I prefer taking rookies over trading picks for veterans. Unless it’s a game-changing, franchise-changing, trade. Since I don’t see Brandon Ingram or Luka Doncic being available in a trade, there’s really no reason to give a first-round pick up for a Harrison Barnes type. So keeping the pick is the way to go. That said, drafting another guard like Malaki Branham would defeat the purpose of keeping the pick.

Branham seems like a solid point guard. He’s 6’5 and has solid shooting numbers in college, with splits of .498/.416/.833. He only averaged two assists per game, however, and nearly 2 turnovers per game. So he’s not really a natural point guard, but he’s pretty accurate and that is enticing. He’s also a kid from the area, having gone to St. Vincent St. Mary’s, home of LeBron James, and then Ohio State.

The problem comes with the fact the Cavs won’t be able to use him for at least a few seasons. Maybe the Cavs don’t have a problem stacking and developing talent. That would be a way to go that I wouldn’t hate, but if the idea is to get talent that can play this year, Branham isn’t the way to go.

If the Cavs land Ricky Rubio, re-sign Collin Sexton and don’t move on from Isaac Okoro, then you have your four guards there; including Darius Garland. Who would Branham get minutes from? Sure, if you lose Sexton, don’t bring back Rubio or move on from Okoro in a trade, the Branham is absolutely in play.

That doesn’t even include Caris LeVert who’s a guard/forward combo. The Cavs should be looking for a small forward/power forward type or even a center.

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a true small forward over anything else

I’m a mind of many angles. Firstly, the best pick available is always smart money. So is drafting for scheme fit. If you draft a guy who’s super talented but can’t play defense, then he’s going to be an albatross for this team.

The Cavs need a small forward, who can three-and-D with the best of them. I haven’t done enough research into the players to make that pick right now, but that should be priority number one. Get the best available wing who can shoot threes and play great defense.

The Cavs will likely have to make a move to clear some roster to accommodate all three draft picks they have in the two rounds this year, and if they’re smart they can build a package around LeVert, Lamar Stevens, and Dylan Windler, to bring back a starter at wing. If they do that, then the draft pick becomes far more in flux as to what the Cavs would and should take. In that event, Branham comes back into play.