With the 14th Pick in the 2022 NBA Draft ...

[GonzoRatso88]

Regarding Ochai…I LOVE that he has done nothing but get BETTER every single year since he was a freshman. People talk about a low ceiling but to me, nothing is stopping him from getting even better year after year once he makes the league. Nothing is stopping him from hitting 4 or 5 threes a night, becoming one of the best shooters in the league.

If the jumper translates. Agbaji is gonna be a good player. Especially here where he’d get a ton of open looks. Just a bunch of opportunities.

Do you think Sochan is in serious consideration? I feel like he fits the analytical profile and positional need the Cavs are looking for...

 

[daytripper]

From what Sochan has stated he believes his workout for the Cavs went really well. From all reports it's sounding like he's probably a top 10 pick. The Spurs at 9 and Wizards at 10 seem like his landing spots but this is the day before the draft so who really knows..it's all smoke and mirrors at this point.

 

[Gson]

I agree that Fedor is largely a mouthpiece for the organization. That said, he's thrown out enough names (Agbaji, Branham, Dieng, Eason, Sochan, & WIlliams) that he's not really tipping anything and everyone is guessing what the Cavs will do.

It doesn't seem that any team above us is strongly considering Eason, so, if people are thinking the Cavs are putting it out there that Eason disappointed at his workout, in an effort to get him to fall to #14, I don't really get that? I can't imagine Eason or his agent would be happy about such reports, unless they wanted to go to Cleveland. I don't know what the issues are, but there's been several reports about Eason disappointing in workouts.

The great unknown is what the Cavs would do if Davis, Dieng, Griffin, or Sochan were to fall to their pick, which is entirely possible since these things rarely go according to form, once you get outside the top 5.

This draft will be all about the top three...after that & at # 4... the subterfuge is working overtime.. What the Cavs FO does.. and needs to do is decide who is their guy.. who makes them the team that has a chance to unseat the Celtics in the East and win... What is it that the Cavs need the most.. Defensively, the Cavs were very good.. top third in the league.. what they couldn't do.. or didn't do well was score.. from the wing.. so the BEST wing shooter should be the target..

Is that Eason?...

Dieng?

or someone else.. That's who they should/will pick.. even if it means making a trade.. up or down..

 

["MVP"]

From what Sochan has stated he believes his workout for the Cavs went really well. From all reports it's sounding like he's probably a top 10 pick. The Spurs at 9 and Wizards at 10 seem like his landing spots but this is the day before the draft so who really knows..it's all smoke and mirrors at this point.

One concern I have with Sochan's potential fit with the Cavs: To me, he seems like a starting 4 that you slide over to small ball 5 in your best lineups. Similar to Draymond, AD, Scottie Barnes, and our own Mobley (projecting ahead).

I doubt Sochan will be available at 14. I really like a lot of what he brings to the table. But I'd be mildly concerned that he & Mobley occupy a lot of the same space on the court, and I'm not sure you can effectively roll with two of those guys together.

 

[Kuiper]

Agbaji is an interesting guy. I heard an interview with a draft expert and he said that had Agbaji declared after his freshman year at Kansas, he likely would’ve been a second round pick, as he would’ve last year. To his credit, he stayed all 4 years, started 116/122 games at a premier program and got better every year. He gets knocked for his age, but he acknowledged his deficiencies and chose to develop his game in college, rather than in the G-League or at the NBA level. As a result, he’s alot more ready to play than some other guys. The more I look into Agbaji, the more I find myself liking him.

Peyton Watson & Josh Minott are two guys I really like, who really should’ve gone back to college, as Agbaji did. Both came off the bench and Watson, in particular, really struggled to find his groove. Both are very talented prospects worth developing, but they’re likely gonna have to be on two-way contracts for a year or two.

Watson was a strong defender in his limited minutes, but was so out of control with the ball in his hands that UCLA's coach, Mick Cronin, wouldn't put him out there for more than limited minutes and let him figure it out. He did show flashes of the insane athletic ability and ability to get to the rim that led to his high ratings coming out of high school. I'm not sure he'll figure by playing in the G League, which has a lot of inefficient scorers. I can understand why he left though. A guy like Jules Bernard was similarly out of control his freshman and sophomore years, before putting it together his last couple of years, and I don't think he'll even get drafted.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Do you think Sochan is in serious consideration? I feel like he fits the analytical profile and positional need the Cavs are looking for...

I mean, I think he’s almost a lock to go in the top 10.

If he is there at 14, I know the Cavs worked him out and I know they cut tape for the coaches on him.

But he doesn’t project as a guy who will be a good shooter. I think the Cavs feel like they need a guy who at least could realistically project as a positive offensive force that at least might be able to shoot even if the shot isn’t there right now.

I just hope Sochan is gone so the Cavs don’t even have to truly consider him because he does project as a damned good defender who can defend 1-4 and probably a guy who can start for a contender one day. But not sure I love the fit for the Cavs given our spacing issues with Mobley and Allen. Though Mobley and Sochan together would be a defensive monster combo.

 

[inliner311]

Do you think Sochan is in serious consideration? I feel like he fits the analytical profile and positional need the Cavs are looking for...

When we have Okoro, Stevens, Mobley, and Allen, I just don't think there is a need or really a place for Sochan. I think Sochan could thrive on a more offensively built team that has guys who don't play good defense in the front court. His best skills are redundant on this team.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I mean, I think he’s almost a lock to go in the top 10.

If he is there at 14, I know the Cavs worked him out and I know they cut tape for the coaches on him.

But he doesn’t project as a guy who will be a good shooter. I think the Cavs feel like they need a guy who at least could realistically project as a positive offensive force that at least might be able to shoot even if the shot isn’t there right now.

I just hope Sochan is gone so the Cavs don’t even have to truly consider him because he does project as a damned good defender who can defend 1-4 and probably a guy who can start for a contender one day. But not sure I love the fit for the Cavs given our spacing issues with Mobley and Allen. Though Mobley and Sochan together would be a defensive monster combo.

It's okay for players to be extremely talented and a terrible fit for the Cavaliers core. Sochan, Duren, and Mark Williams definitely all fit that description.

I know a lot of posters have sworn by "BPA no matter what" but the most talented GMs in any sport do not approach the draft so simply. The Cavs are at a point where they have a legitimate core, and that core is Mobley, Garland and Allen.

If a talented potential draft pick doesn't have a game which compliments those three, it's okay to pass. This is the best draft for small forward prospects in years, I'd say since 2016, so identifying a wing this year specifically over a talented big is just fine.

 

[adam81king]

I see some skill and length, I just worry about aggression, I just don't see it on offense or defense. If we do draft him though, I hope you are right.

I see a baby giraffe learning it's body. Hard to "play fast" when you're figuring stuff out. The lack off purposeful movement is definitely a problem if he doesn't grow out of it, but the same was said about Nic Batum.

 

[sailfish]

Watson was a strong defender in his limited minutes, but was so out of control with the ball in his hands that UCLA's coach, Mick Cronin, wouldn't put him out there for more than limited minutes and let him figure it out. He did show flashes of the insane athletic ability and ability to get to the rim that led to his high ratings coming out of high school. I'm not sure he'll figure by playing in the G League, which has a lot of inefficient scorers. I can understand why he left though. A guy like Jules Bernard was similarly out of control his freshman and sophomore years, before putting it together his last couple of years, and I don't think he'll even get drafted.

Watson has prototypical length & athleticism for an NBA wing. Mick Cronin sure did him no favors this year and Watson, clearly was pressing, knowing that Cronin had a quick hook with him. Scouts will fall back on his USA basketball tape and how highly rated he was coming into UCLA. I definitely see something worth developing there and I bet he ends up going in the early 2nd round.

 

[BodegaBayCav]

Many thanks to everyone with their draft input. As someone who doesn't follow college ball, I love this forum and use it to become educated on draft prospects. It is always a fun time for me. Thanks.

However, I expect the Cavs to trade the 14th pick, if any team offers a good trade down option and a first in next year's draft. That would allow the Cavs to make a trade at the deadline similar to the trade we made this year for Levert.

That flexibility could have a big impact on this seasons playoff run.

Having said that, if that type offer doesn't come we have quite a few draftable players that could help this year's team.

I believe Koby is laser focused on this year's team making the playoffs.

 

[sailfish]

This draft will be all about the top three...after that & at # 4... the subterfuge is working overtime.. What the Cavs FO does.. and needs to do is decide who is their guy.. who makes them the team that has a chance to unseat the Celtics in the East and win... What is it that the Cavs need the most.. Defensively, the Cavs were very good.. top third in the league.. what they couldn't do.. or didn't do well was score.. from the wing.. so the BEST wing shooter should be the target..

Is that Eason?...

Dieng?

or someone else.. That's who they should/will pick.. even if it means making a trade.. up or down..

If you're after a wing shooter (ie 3&D guy), your best bets are likely to be Agbaji, Branham, & Williams.

Wendell Moore, Christian Braun, & Keon Ellis are some guys that fit that profile in round 2.

 

[adam81king]

You should just get a couple of ribs removed and skip the middle man.

Why would I take the challenge away?

 

[dark2332]

If you're after a wing shooter (ie 3&D guy), your best bets are likely to be Agbaji, Branham, & Williams.

Wendell Moore, Christian Braun, & Keon Ellis are some guys that fit that profile in round 2.

So that’s EXACTLY the point. And it’s a good one.

Agbaji cannot create on his own, and he’s not good putting the ball on the floor. He’s a good mover without the ball, but he’s primarily a volume three point shooter with some defensive upside due to his athleticism. Note: he’s not currently a good defender, just projects to potentially evolve into one. He’s also a developed senior. His only efficient shooting season was last year.

So that’s the question—is he really a better NBA prospect than Christian Braun, Keon Ellis, Wendell Moore, David Roddy, Caleb Houstan and Max Christie?

All of these guys are also 3&D wing prospects, and some are younger than him. And we can get them in the 2nd.

 

[Lyuokdea]

When we have Okoro, Stevens, Mobley, and Allen, I just don't think there is a need or really a place for Sochan. I think Sochan could thrive on a more offensively built team that has guys who don't play good defense in the front court. His best skills are redundant on this team.

Don't really understand this....

I can understand "redundant skills" when you talk about the number of ballhandlers you need on a team at a time (e.g., Irving/Harden/Durant are less than the sum of their parts).

I understand that Sochan isn't as much of a shooter as we'd like -- neither, of course, are Eason/Dyson/Dieng who we are apparently considering.

But I don't think you can have "redundant skills" when it comes to defensive versatility. The offense gets to choose who they attack, and adding another player who can switch effortlessly will only help this team.