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What would a successful Summer League debut look like Ochai Agbaji

By Chad Porto

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Ochai Agbaji pose for photos after Agbaji was drafted with the 14th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Ochai Agbaji pose for photos after Agbaji was drafted with the 14th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Summer League debuts are all the rage right now but let’s be realistic about what Ochai Agbaji of the Cleveland Cavaliers has to do.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are just a bit away from debuting their latest group of rookies in the NBA Summer League. The team will see three of their four rookies compete for Cleveland, with Ochai Agbaji, Isaiah Mobley, and Luke Travers all expected to get big minutes.

The only rookie not competing is Khalifa Diop, who will be staying in Europe this season to continue his progression. This will allow him to get more reps, and more experience and not eat up any of his rookie contracts in the interim.

Agbaji, Mobley, and Travers all have different expectations and demands on them this season. Mobley will be a reserve player coming off the bench to spell the bigs, namely his brother Evan and Jarrett Allen. Travers will likely be an end-of-the-bench guy to start, maybe even buried away in the G-League.

Yet, Agbaji may very well get 20+ minutes per game, making him the focus of the Summer League. Sure, other guys may compete for a two-way contract or a spot on the Cleveland Charge, but this is mostly about how Agbaji performs.

What would a good performance from Ochai Agabaji look like?

We’ve seen super impressive performances from rookies in the Summer League before, but that’s really not reasonable. Yes, guys like Chet Holmgren broke records in their first outing but we’re not looking for God-tier performances; we’re just looking for stability.

So what would a solid debut from Agbaji look like? If he shoots around 40% from the floor, preferably around 45%, that’s a good start. As he’s a three-point shooter, hopefully, anything starting at 35% for his first performance is acceptable. Then, if he can have 1.5-1.75 times more assists than turnovers, that would cap off a night of great offensive production.

Defensively, as long as he’s active and energetic, we’ll take it. I don’t need steals or blocks, just an effort.

If he can do all that, then anything else would be gravy in my opinion. I’m not asking for miracles, just a steady performance, which I think is very possible.

Next. 3 names to know from the Cleveland Cavaliers Summer League squad. dark

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