Mock Draft 2.0: New Orleans Pelicans Jump into Top Four
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Onyeka Okongwu. 5. player. Power Forward / USC. Cleveland Cavaliers. 156
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently the worst team in the Eastern Conference and just behind the Golden State Warriors for the worst record in the NBA.
With their history of draft luck, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Cavaliers were able to snag the overall number one pick in the 2020 NBA draft, but in our simulation they finally got some karmic payback and dropped to the fifth pick.
How the Cavs ultimately use their pick may be decided on how they handle the contract of recently acquired center Andre Drummond and the free agency of Tristan Thompson.
If Drummond opts into his player option for next season, then the Cavs will likely try to surround him with more scoring and shooting.
If he walks or they end up trading Drummond, the Cavs may choose to go with a big such to kick off yet another rebuild in Cleveland.
Drafting Onyeka Okongwu would also allow the Cavs to potentially trade Kevin Love, but his contract and declining skills may make that impossible.
It’s hard to predict how this offseason is going to play out. The Cavs may find themselves with a glut of big men, in which case Okongwu doesn’t make sense.
But if Drummond, Thompson and Love all find their way to greener pastures, Okongwu is a reliable rebounder, rim protector and can run the floor well.
He’s not the floor spacer you need around Drummond, but if Drummond opts-out, he would fit in well with Collin Sexton if the Cavs aren’t in love with any of the other guards in this draft.
Okongwu will be ready to contribute right away, but his timeline also fits well with the rest of Cleveland’s youth.