Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 reasons Darius Garland is the right pick

By Tony Pesta | Jun 21, 2019

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Darius Garland is interviewed after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

3. Best available

A common theme throughout NBA history is for teams to draft the best player available, rather than the prospect that best fits their team’s needs. So even though the Cleveland Cavaliers already have an All-Rookie point guard in Collin Sexton, it was a no-brainer to take Darius Garland with the fifth pick.

As previously mentioned, Garland only played five games in his collegiate career. In those games, he made a big enough impression on NBA scouts to solidify himself as a top pick. The hype around him only grew larger as the draft approached, peaking with him being projected as the fourth-most talented player in the entire pool.

We all know that this year’s draft class is expected to be top-heavy. The only players receiving any indication of becoming superstars are Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett. When these three were all taken in the first three picks, it left the Cavaliers with an easy decision ahead of them.

Sure, they could have taken a wing player in Jarrett Culver. This would have filled Cleveland’s need for a 3-and-D type player. However, it is Garland who possess the most raw talent and potential. As a result, the Cavaliers felt they had no choice but to take Garland.

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