There was no magic for the Cavaliers on Tuesday at the NBA Draft Lottery.
The 2022 #NBADraftLottery presented by State Farm:
1 @OrlandoMagic
2 @okcthunder
3 @HoustonRockets
4 @SacramentoKings
5 @DetroitPistons
6 @Pacers
7 @trailblazers
8 LAL (to @PelicansNBA)
9 @spurs
10 @WashWizards
11 @nyknicks
12 LAC (to @okcthunder)
13 @hornets
14 @cavs— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2022
I mean, there was plenty of “Magic,” but not the kind that the Cavs were probably hoping for.
As expected, Cleveland will pick at no. 14 next month.
Naturally, there were some other shockers across the lottery.
Of note, the Pacers and Blazers slid, the latter all the way to no. 7, despite a 37% chance to move into the top four.
But with nothing major happening for Cleveland, the front office can now focus on evaluating talent it was already likely planning for.
Here are three options for the Cavs at no. 14:
1. Malaki Branham
Expect to see Malaki Branham in many, many mocks leading up to draft night.
In some ways, it’s a puzzling pick: the Ohio State frosh is a small forward, and the Cavs appear replete with forwards.
But Branham provides something the team desperately missing from its current crop: capable shooting.
Down the stretch last season, Branham shot 41.6% from three and showed flashes of playmaking.
But more than that, Branham is effective with or without the ball in his hands, crucial in a lineup that might feature Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Evan Mobley.
The Cavs could certainly do worse than the Big-Ten Freshman of the year and guy who The Ringer pronounced has “shades of Khris Middleton.”
2. Jaden Hardy
One of the biggest mysteries in this draft is guard Jaden Hardy.
Coming out of high school, Hardy was the no. 2 recruit in the nation, ahead of Paolo Banchero, Emoni Bates, and Jabari Smith, per ESPN.
How could Hardy be available at no. 14 for the Cavs?
Surely the team would have to move up?
Nope.
Hardy opted for the G-League, passing up offers from Kentucky, Michigan, and LSU.
It might have been a decision that will cost Hardy a pretty chunk of coin.
His poor play in the G-League left scouts wondering about Hardy’s true ceiling, summed up best by, once again, The Ringer:
“Is he just a volume scorer or can he become efficient? For the most part, iso scoring has always been his calling card. Teams wonder whether he’ll ever develop any other NBA skills.”
But hear me out on one, maybe not-so-minor point.
Every year, there is a player that slips in the lottery, despite being a top high school recruit.
We all recognize #Cavs biggest needs. The front office recognizes them as well. The draft provides the first chance at addressing one of them — even with the No. 14 pick.https://t.co/sUBSb7BhiP
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) May 18, 2022
Here are a few names: Jonathan Kuminga, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Stewart, Michael Porter, Jr., Tyrese Maxey, Miles Bridges, Jarrett Allen.
All of those names were five star’d by ESPN in high school.
But each one slid on draft night.
And yet, each one has shown to be a starter for and major contributor on their respective NBA team.
At no. 14, a team is probably hoping for a solid bench or rotation piece, not a high-end starter.
Why not take a chance on a former five-star recruit who has shown effectiveness in the pick and roll?
It may not work out, but hey, a guy earns five stars for a reason.
3. Trade
The Cavs should be aggressive.
When everyone is healthy, Cleveland has a team ready to compete at this very moment.
At no. 14, the Cavs could stand pat and take a role-player, and that would be perfectly fine.
Or they can have fun and let loose a little bit.
Cleveland has never been a major free agent destination, even with LeBron James.
Kyrie Irving was a draft pick and Kevin Love came over via trade.
Why shouldn’t the front office scour the NBA landscape, looking for potential trade partners.
How does a potential Bradley Beal or Donovan Mitchell backcourt partnership with Darius Garland sound?
Or, does Damien Lilliard look at the Blazers drafting seventh and decide it’s time to move on?
Depth is nice; stars are fun.
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