Grading the 2019 NBA offseason for all 30 franchises
Cleveland Cavaliers
Having never been known to attract free agents — except for a home-grown megastar- the Cleveland Cavaliers made a concerted effort to build organically when it came time to this past June’s draft.
Fifth overall pick Darius Garland is electric with the ball in his hands with a comparison to Damian Lillard due to his shot-making abilities from any spot on the court.
At No. 26 came Dylan Windler, who projects as an inside-out two-way forward with a sweet stroke from out beyond the arc.
Cleveland wouldn’t finish off the night with just its picks, however. The Cavs swung a mid-draft trade for the last pick in the first round, Kevin Porter Jr.
Despite a lack of tangible numbers in college, his potential talent was worth the four second-round picks the front office gave up to acquire him.
at the very least, Darius Garland and Dylan Windler are gonna be pulling up from outrageous distances this season. and it's gonna be a blast pic.twitter.com/3fmboL3A1o
— Jordan Zirm (@JordanZirm) July 4, 2019
Only Windler has played in Summer League, posting a so-so 11.0 points and 4.7 rebounds a game on just 40.0 percent shooting.
Garland may be the league’s next great point guard, but his fit next to the equally diminutive and ball-dominant Collin Sexton raises a pessimistic wait-and-see approach.
At this point, the best method for the Cavs is to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, especially with new head coach John Beilein better suited to coach youngsters in need of development.
That’s what these draft picks appear to be more than anything, high potential — albeit risky — selections who could accelerate the rebuild down the line.
Grade: C+