The Cleveland Cavaliers did not have a good season. The expectations in Cleveland were certainly higher than their 24-58 record and fifth place showing in the Central division. When you look at the makeup of this team they certainly don’t resemble a 24 win club nor do they look like a typical team who holds the first overall selection in the draft.
The Cavaliers have one of the more exciting players in the game right now in Kyrie Irving and they have a young shooting guard in Dion Waiters who looks like a complementary piece in the backcourt. The Cavs also have a pretty solid frontcourt in Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller. The problem for the Cavaliers last season was the injury bug as Irving missed 20-plus games and Varejao missed nearly 60 games. With both of these guys healthy for a whole season there is no way the Cavaliers win only 24 games.
Areas of Weakness:
The Cavaliers really need to get some depth to the roster. A backup point guard would be a luxury to spell off Irving’s minutes and they could use a reliable small forward that could eventually supplant Alonzo Gee in the starting rotation. The point guard option is not going to be addressed with the top pick, but the Cavs do have the 19th overall selection as well and depending on who is on the board, it is likely that the Cavs will look for some backcourt help with that selection.
If the Cavaliers are thinking of shopping Varejao and his cap-friendly contract then they will need to find a replacement.At this point Tyler Zeller doesn’t seem like the answer as he is limited offensively and is better served coming off the bench.
Draft Projections:
In years previous the top pick in the NBA draft hasn’t been much of a surprise. Typically a collegiate player has clearly separated himself from the pack by this time and the top pick becomes pretty obvious. Not so with this draft as the Cavaliers literally have four or five prospects to choose from. Without a clear cut, dominating franchise-type player out there the Cavaliers must choose between their immediate team needs, the best athlete in the draft or a project player who likely won’t be ready to play before Christmas.
The Cavaliers are holding themselves out there as being a team capable of making the playoffs. With this in mind I can’t see them taking a gamble on Nerlens Noel; the rehab is risky and the roster impact next season is negligible. A safer bet would be Victor Oladipo from Indiana but he might be a reach with the first overall pick. Oladipo would likely help the Cavs the most at this point but his potential might be more limiting than others.
Ben McLemore could fit here too but for Waiters already at the shooting guard spot. McLemore is a bit undersized for a small forward, particularly when compared to some of the defensive assignments he would draw throughout the league.
The more likely target for Cavs come draft day is Alex Len from the University of Maryland. Len has shown that he can score in the post and by facing up to the hoop, but what is likely to impress the most is his ability to work the pick and roll. Len has great hands and his agility allows for him to finish at the rim. Of course being 7’0”, having a massive wingspan and great vertical leap helps him immensely.
Ultimately I think the Cavaliers take Len, allow him to learn and mature while playing with Varejao and Thompson. With an already established frontcourt their will be less pressure to contribute right away and ultimately once Len is established the Cavaliers can trade Varejao.