ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith doesn't want Duke phenom Zion Williamson to be drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Williamson is looking like a potential No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft. The Cavs currently have the worst record in the NBA. The big man has drawn comparisons to LeBron James, which is exactly why Smith doesn't want Williamson to go to Cleveland because of all the pressure that would be on his shoulders to rebuild that franchise like James did.

Article Continues Below
More Cleveland Cavaliers News
Grizzlies EVP/GM Zach Kleiman, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Jarrett Allen
Why Grizzlies must call Cavaliers about Jarrett Allen tradeChris Dodson ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts during the second half of game five against the Indiana Pacers in the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell reacts to Nick Chubb’s farewell messageMiguel La Torre ·
Donovan Mitchell, Adidas DON Issue 7, Adidas Donovan Mitchell release
New Donovan Mitchell Adidas sneakers dropping soonDominik Zawartko ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) tries to get between Brooklyn Nets guard Tyrese Martin (13) and forward Trendon Watford (9) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena.
NBA rumors: Bill Simmons floats intriguing Darius Garland trade to NetsPreston Byers ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) looks on during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center.
Darius Garland toe surgery announced amid Cavs trade rumorsBenedetto Vitale ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives against Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Magic rumors: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland must be on trade radar, says insiderJulian Ojeda ·

Smith believes people in Cleveland will be looking for Williamson to be like LeBron. That's obviously not an easy thing to do. Therefore, Smith thinks the best thing that can happen for Zion's career is that he goes anywhere except the Cavs.

Unfortunately, Zion Williamson doesn't have that choice. The athletic specimen might be built like LeBron James, but they have different games. Williamson is not the elite passer that James was when LeBron came out of high school, but the hype and hoopla surrounding Zion is similar to what James dealt with.

When Kyrie Irving was drafted No.1 overall by the Cavs, there weren't too many high expectations for him because he didn't play that many games in college due to a foot injury. No one in Cleveland was really expecting him to turn into the superstar point guard that he ended up being. Zion Williamson is the exact opposite. He's already being called a once in a generation talent.