Grading every player the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted

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The Cleveland Cavaliers got four picks this year from the 2022 NBA Draft, but not all of them are going to be playing right away. The squad is going to squirrel away two of those picks overseas and a third may be in the NBA G-League for a portion of the year.

The one who’s guaranteed to make the roster, Ochai Agbaji, may not make an impact at all this year due to guys ahead of him on the depth chart. Right now Caris LeVert and Collin Sexton are stting ahead of him at the two-guard spot and that doesn’t factor in Ricky Rubio, who may return to the club.

So keep in mind as we evaluate and grade these picks, this isn’t about long-term potential but about immediate impact over this year and next. The grades are not final and can fluxuate as the players develop their game.

Or fail to do so.

Grading each of the Cleveland Cavaliers draft picks

14. Ochai Agbaji SG

We’ve talked about Ochai Agbaji, but the basic gist is that he’s a shooter who likely won’t play big minutes this year if the offseason unfolds as expected with Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio coming back. That said, if Sexton and/or Rubio don’t return, Agbaji may go from limited minutes to potential starter. So this pick will be interesting. Due to his lack of potential immediate impact, we’re not giving him an A, as the team did have bigger needs than a second shooting guard behind Sexton.

Grade: B – Could provide very little or a lot depending on roster makeup.

39. Khalifa Diop C

I’m an old enough fan to remember the days of Desagna Diop, another former Senegalese basketball player who once played for the Cavs. While both men are centers from Senegal, and share a surename, they are not related, but they are now forever bonded by their draft history. Diop is not ready to play in the NBA and will have to improve his play past the current four points and three rebounds he’s posted in the LIGA ACB.

Grade: D – Won’t contribute for some time.

49. Isaiah Mobley PF

Isaiah Mobley was a near double-double guy this year at USC, and shot 35% from three. At 6’10 and 235, Mobley could be someone who could succeed in Cleveland, that is if the team moves on from Lamar Stevens or Dean Wade. I think it’s likely Stevens is included in a trade and if so, Mobley could get some real time and may play some nice minutes with his brother, Evan Mobley.

Grade: C – May find success if another big is traded.

56. Luke Travers SG

Finally, with the last pick is Luke Travers, a shooting guard out of Australia. As far as a prospect goes, he’s not much of one, selected mostly due to his frame (6’6 height, 6’10 wingspan) and potential. He’s not ready for the NBA and can’t even hit a 30% average from three regularly. He’s only 20, so he has time to develop but it’ll be in Australia’s NBL for at least a year or two.

Grade: D – Won’t contribute for some time.