Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: When simulating the lottery gets wonky

By Brendon Kleen

METAIRIE, LA - MARCH 14: David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, talks to the media during an introductory press conference on April 17, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LA - MARCH 14: David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, talks to the media during an introductory press conference on April 17, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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1. player. 156. . F. Duke. Zion Williamson

Cleveland started the season relatively strong compared with the other top lottery teams, meaning we haven’t gotten much time to properly consider Williamson in the Cavs’ roster context.

The Cavs are one team that could credibly turn itself entirely over to Williamson, an opportunity he wouldn’t have anywhere else. However, there are other considerations at play. Collin Sexton is the only player standing between Williamson and lead dog status, and Sexton would assuredly be pushed down a rung in the event Williamson lands in Cleveland. But the ownership and market questions that we can’t seem to move on from with the Cavs would crop up again — just like they did with the guy whose shadow would be lingering over Williamson in a big way.

Questions have followed Williamson since about the first month of the college basketball season about whether he was the best NBA prospect since LeBron James. Each pairs incredible size and athleticism with deft skill. They both wowed us right away. But it would be a tough situation for Williamson to join the Cavs just four seasons after James led the franchise to its first championship.

Next. The Step Back 2019 NBA Draft Big Board: March Update. dark

That’s not reason enough to turn away a great player. At some point, Cleveland will have to move on from the specter of James’ legend, and they would of course prefer it take less time than Chicago spent finding an identity after Michael Jordan’s second retirement.

Williamson’s arrival would turn things around for Cleveland in a hurry, but someone with less of a spotlight already on him may be better-suited to take the torch today.

Check out our full scouting report on Zion Williamson.

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