MarJon Beauchamp should be an option for the Cleveland Cavaliers later in the NBA Draft

MarJon Beauchamp could be an option for the Cleveland Cavaliers closer to the second round during the NBA Draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking at bringing in Marjon Beauchamp on Thursday, alongside Malaki Branham and a host of other potential NBA rookies. While Branham’s size and play style doesn’t make me see him as a need, his quality attitude and work ethic are very exciting. Beauchamp could be another guy like that.

The difference is that if Branham is like Collin Sexton, then Beauchamp is more akin to Isaac Okoro. A defensive-minded wing who can, ideally, improve the team’s defense when he’s on the court.

In 12 games for G-League Ignite, Beauchamp averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. While he shot over 50% from the floor, he shot under 30% from the three-point line and just 65% from the free-throw line.

He’s very much Okoro in that sense that his best asset is defense. Like with Okoro, I don’t think that means the Cavs shouldn’t take Beauchamp. I think it means that, like with Okoro, they shouldn’t take Beauchamp in the first round.

MarJon Beauchamp in the second round makes total sense

Like with Okoro, I don’t see Beauchamp getting to the second round. If the Browns want to trade back into the late 20s to get him, that’s fine. That’s about where I see his value. I don’t think the Cavs should be taking him at No. 14, as that’s way too much for a guy who isn’t a great shooter.

Shooting in the NBA matter, and you can’t just live and die by attacking the rim.

That’s not to say there isn’t value and potential here, as there is. It’s merely to say that I think taking him at No. 14 would be a horrendous mistake that the Cavaliers would be wise to avoid making.