Much of the attention on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2022 NBA Draft was focused on the 14th pick, which became Ochai Agbaji, a 6-foot-6 wing who seems to have the potential to become a fantastic 3-and-D player.
But he was just one of several players the Cavs took in the draft that evening.
The team selected three other players in the second round, and unlike Agbaji, the reviews of those players are more mixed.
Second-round picks usually don’t amount to much, but it is always possible to find a gem that deep in the draft, and it seems like every year there is at least one such player in the second round of the draft.
How well did Cleveland do overall in Thursday’s draft?
Agbaji May Have Been A Bullseye Pick
At 6-foot-6 and with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and plenty of hops, Agbaji fits the exact mold of the athletic, 3-and-D wing the Cavs really need to become a legitimate playoff team.
He shot over 40 percent this season for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, and he has the ability to guard players at multiple positions.
Agbaji may also have some ability to occasionally get his own shot in the NBA, but he should also be a nice target in transition and on backdoor lobs.
There isn’t much, if any risk with him, but there’s plenty of upside.
Then There’s The Rest
With the 39th pick, Cleveland took Khalifa Diop, a 7-foot-1 center from Senegal who has been playing overseas in Spain.
He has nice size at 250 pounds and does pretty well near the basket, but he is raw, and some may feel he is destined to become a bust or at least a disappointment in the NBA.
Khalifa Diop (Center, Herbalife Gran Canaria)
6’11”, 7’3” wingspan, 230 lbs– Mobile big that’s effective defending in space & ball-screens.
– Good rim protector. Good length & timing to alter shots.
– Very high motor. Fights on the offensive glass for second chance points. pic.twitter.com/5DEFa9Iu1Z— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 20, 2022
Cavs general manager Koby Altman says that Diop will continue to play internationally so that he can continue to develop and make sure he can hold his own in the NBA.
The Diop pick clearly appears to be a gamble.
At No. 49, the Cavs went with Isaiah Mobley, the younger brother of Evan Mobley who is a big man for the University of Southern California.
Mobley doesn’t have the potential of his older brother, but at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, he is a good rebounder who grabbed 8.3 boards this season.
He may also have some potential as a floor-stretching big man due to his 3-point accuracy of 35.2 percent this year.
In 2021, Mobley made an impressive 43.6 percent of his attempts from deep.
Mobley’s 3.3 assists a game in 2022 also suggests he has some playmaking ability.
Not crazy to think that Isaiah Mobley will be a rotation piece this year. Whether we think he should’ve been selected 49th or not, he has an NBA caliber skill in regards to spacing the floor. Could open things up at the 4-5 positions. pic.twitter.com/zxOFqAcdSt
— Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) June 26, 2022
The Cavs’ 56th pick became Luke Travers, an Aussie who has spent the last three years in the National Basketball League.
He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs about 205 pounds, and while he can rebound and defend a bit, he is not a good outside shooter, at least not at this point of his career.
Cleveland made a very strong pick in Agbaji, but its over three picks leave something to be desired.
On the other hand, should fans really expect a ton out of a second-round draft pick?
Final draft grade: B
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