Once they eventually hire their next head coach, the Cleveland Cavaliers must make their next major offseason decision in the 2024 NBA Draft. Heading into draft day, the Cavs only have one pick at No. 20 in the first round. The selection is a golden opportunity to add rotation-worthy talent that can provide an immediate on-court impact, all while still being able to develop into a future piece that will round out their rotation.
While it might seem like hyperbole for a rookie to impact Cleveland immediately, this is the path the Cavs must take. Cleveland is building out its depth meaningfully by patiently developing its young talent, which is a strategy worth taking at No. 20.
While the pick comes in the back end of the first round, there will be plenty of players on the board for the Cavs to consider. A handful of options could be available that make a ton of sense for Cleveland.
However, there are three players that the Cavs should avoid, especially if they're serious about becoming a title-worthy team.
Cavs must not select Yves Missi
While it may seem tempting for the Cavs to grab a center after losing Jarrett Allen against the Orlando Magic in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, they shouldn't indulge the devil on their shoulder.
Sure, Baylor center Yves Missi is a mammoth big man with serious athleticism and potential to become a dangerous lob threat with his quick leaping ability and shot-blocking upside. And while he wouldn't start over Evan Mobley or Allen, Missi could give Cleveland more of what they're used to from their bigs. Throughout his time at Baylor, Missi showed a full understanding and excelled at protecting the rim, rebounding, and throwing down lobs.
The problem is that Missi is incredibly raw and unrefined and would likely spend his rookie season developing in the NBA G League, which is something the Cavs cannot afford. Cleveland needs a rookie who can make a more immediate impact. With so much time and money invested in Allen and Mobley, it would be a waste of a pick to take a big man like Missi, who would be better off with a team that has a more immediate need at center.
Tyler Smith isn't the best fit in Cleveland
NBA G League Ignite forward Tyler Smith is in a similar spot that makes him avoidable for the Cavs. Smith isn't a big man who needs to showcase he can play more than 20 minutes per game. Instead, he is an incredibly raw forward who shows shooting upside but has serious concerns about his defensive capabilities, making him a liability if Cleveland plays him right away.
Sure, Smith's potential is physically there, but right now, it's fair to say he is a non-factor on defense who often looks lost. In his season with the G League Ignite, there are numerous instances where he freezes while defending pick-and-rolls, not even moving his feet or reacting to the ball. Aside from lacking strength, he also lacks a degree of toughness when it comes to battling on the interior.
More worryingly, if he’s not dunking, Smith struggles to score at the rim since he can’t handle any contact and lacks touch. It's also fair to question how good of a shooter he really is. The Ignite never used him as a movement shooter, and he struggles when pulling up from the midrange.
It’s also possible his current three-point percentage is an outlier. In two Overtime Elite seasons, he made 35.6 percent and 30.8 percent of three, respectively. He’s also a below-average free throw shooter, shooting roughly 69% from the stripe in his career, which adds more shade to Smith's shooting ability and makes the juice not worth the squeeze for the Cavs.
Cavs look past Kevin McCullar on draft day
When breaking down his game, Kansas swingman Kevin McCullar has everything you'd want for the Cavs. He’s a high-motor defender, both on and off the ball, due to his technique, timing, physicality, and hand speed. Offensively, McCullar also has some downhill ability and shooting upside, and he’s a great passer for his size.
The problem with McCullar is his health and the viability of his perimeter shot in the NBA. He's still dealing with the remnants of a knee injury that impacted the second half of his senior season, part of an injury-plagued career.
Moreover, while his shooting improvement was noticeable this season, is his sudden and dramatic progress an outlier performance, or is it his new norm? In the NBA, McCullar must prove he can sustain success as a shooter, which is something Cleveland may not be comfortable with. He made only 29.8 percent of threes and 73.3 percent of free throws over his first four collegiate seasons, making him less likely to be a sudden impact player for the Cavs, regardless of his health.
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