Cavs Draft Big Board: Bigs
With the Kyrie Irving trade, the Cavaliers landed one of the best value draft picks in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets 2018 draft pick. This pick while not as valuable as originally thought still holds significant value to be a franchise changing pick. The pick as of the writing of this article sits at Number 5 however it has a 7.6% chance of being number one based on tankathon a website that tracks the tanking race in the NBA. As a result, we will take this chance to look at the top Big man prospects that the Cavs could choose. I will be doing a series. First Big men then Guards then finally wings.
Already Gone
Deandre Ayton
In this draft, filled with athletic big men there is one that stands out a 7'1 AP All American from Arizona: Deandre Ayton. He is a prospect who excels inside as well as the midrange and even can stretch out to three. He has immense talent and has the chance to be a generational big man.
Comp: Karl Anthony Towns
Dynamic Bigs
This draft has a significant amount of potential game-changing big men. They range from the 3rd pick all the way to the late lottery.
Mo Bamba
Bamba is a top level pick. His upside comes from elite height and wingspan. With a wingspan of 7'9 a standing reach of 9'6 and a height of 7ft he shows the measurements necessary to affect the NBA game. He has shown the ability to anchor an elite level defensive unit in college. All facts that would help the Cavs get back to relevancy on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively he is better than one would expect. He has shown his ability to work in the post as well as hit mid-range shots and can stretch out to the college 3.
Comp: Rudy Gobert
Marvin Bagley III
Bagley may well be the third pick in this draft. He has shown an innate ability to consistently get buckets in the paint. As well as being one of the best rebounders in his conference. However, he has a tweener body and doesn't fit into the modern NBA. He also can shoot the 3 ball but he still has work to do on his jump shot. However, his ability to get buckets will take him far.
Comp: A more athletic rebounding Jahlil Okafor, A smaller Zach Randolph
Jaren Jackson
Jaren Jackson may be one of the most NBA ready prospects. He is better defensively then Bagley or Ayton and will be more consistent offensively then Bamba. He is an elite shot blocker and a very switchy defender. He fits the modern NBA well. However, he needs to get better at rebounding to be able to be an NBA big man. He also struggles with creating his own shot. Even though he is a better shooter than any of the big man prospects in this draft. However, on a team led by stars with Love and LeBron, he should not be asked to do much.
Comp: Serge Ibaka, Myles Turner
Wendell Carter Jr
Marvin Bagley's running mate in Durham, North Carolina. Wendell Carter may not be the best big man in Durham. But he still may be on the list for one of the best in the country. He has shown his versatility and skill set throughout the season showing off his different moves on either block. He is also consistently knocking down the 3 and has a smooth jump shot. Defensively he has the ability to switch on to smaller players and is light on his feet.
Comp: Al Horford
Robert Williams
Although slightly further down the lottery than the other bigs on this list. Robert Williams is still an intriguing prospect. He offers an athletic prospect unseen other then Deandre Ayton. He is 6'10 however he has a 7'6 wingspan. This allows him to get out to block shots as a help defender. He also has shown his athleticism in his ability to catch lobs. A skill that will definitely transfer to the NBA.
Comp: Larry Sander, Deandre Jordan