NBA Draft 2014 — With Joel Embiid reportedly out of the running for the number one overall pick, it looks like the decision for the Cleveland Cavaliers will come down to Jabari Parker or Andrew Wigigns. And according to Fox Sports writer Sam Amico, the organization has made little ground on who they’ll decide to pick out of those two highly-touted players.
Per sources, #Cavs haven't made decision on Parker or Wiggins. Believe Parker by far most NBA-ready. But Wiggins has most scoring potential.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) May 23, 2014
The Cavaliers observations on the two prospects reflect the general consensus surrounding to of the three best players coming into the draft.
On one side you have an offensive juggernaut in Jabari Parker. While the Cavaliers field offensive talent in Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, that wasn’t enough to make the franchise an above average offense last year, finishing 23rd in offensive rating throughout the league. The addition of Parker would likely boost that as he showed in college he can score the ball any kind of way, in a Carmelo Anthony-esque manner. Need points from the perimeter? Parker can do it. In transition? Done. In the low-post? He’s adept at that also. Defense is a huge question mark, but opting not to pass on an offensive force such as this makes sense.
One the other side, you get a more well-rounded player in Wiggins. He’s not the scorer that Parker was in college, but he’s the perfect compliment to Kyrie Irving. He’s shown the ability to be able to play off-ball after a year of doing so with Joel Embiid. He has the tool and technique to be an excellent defender, the kind of player the Cavaliers need after finishing 17th in defensive rating. He also is superb in transition, and with David Griffin looking to bring in a coach that will push the tempo, that’s a huge need. There’s a lot of potential here with Wiggins and if Cleveland can develop that properly, they’ll have their bonafide franchise player.
Regardless of who the Cavaliers choose, there is no wrong choice here. It just comes down to what kind of player they want alongside star point guard Kyrie Irving.