With Drew Timme off the board, The Cleveland Cavaliers should consider Kai Sotto in the 2nd round of the 2022 NBA Draft

Cleveland Cavaliers could’ve used Drew Timme but now the focus should shift to Kai Sotto at the 2022 NBA Draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were a squad that could really have made great use of Drew Timme following the 2022 NBA Draft. The team really found second-levels to guys like Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens, and with Timme’s skillset, and the proof that “athleticism” doesn’t mean junk in the NBA when you have skills, Timme was a guy who could’ve found his legs in Cleveland. He’s gone back to Gonzaga, however, to play his final year. That means the Cavs need a new big prospect. Enter Kai Sotto.

Sotto isn’t a top prospect and many mock drafts have him being an undrafted free agent. Frankly, the second round is less about the “best player avalible” like you would see in baseball or football drafts, and more to do with who you like the most as a player. There might be someone “better” than the guy you want, but if you think your pick has the highest ceiling, you take him. You don’t risk losing him in free agency.

Sotto is that kind of player. He’s a raw prospect who would need a year of solid playing time in the G-League to really improve his skillset, yet Sotto has a huge supporter on the Cavs already in Collin Sexton.

Sexton spoke highly of Sotto in 2019, at the Jr. NBA program in Manila. The two had worked out together in Atlanta that year, and Sexton was left very impressed by him.

"That’s my guy… he’s a great player. I feel like he can make it [to the NBA]"

Considering you have guys historically like Marc Gasol and Nikola Jokic who were discovered in the second round and needed time to develop, Cavs’ fans shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the young big.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in Kai Sotto for the 2022 NBA Draft.

According to the PhilStarGlobal, Sotto already worked out for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is a good sign for Sotto and Cavs faithful as Sotto has a great touch to his shots. He’s someone who could turn into a reliable stretch-big, shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc during his one-year stint in the NBL Australia league, where he played for the Adelaide 36ers.

His passing and ability to pivot in the low post to get his shot off are often cited as his best skills. He’s 7’2, and 240 pounds, so he’s tall and nimble, which he’ll need to be. That said, he is only ranked as the 16th best center by NBA DRaft Room, so if you’re looking for a more guaranteed bench player in the latter parts of the second round, Sotto may not be your guy.

He is absolutely a project player.