NBA Draft 2019: 5 best fits for R.J. Barrett

By Ian Levy | May 23, 2019

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: RJ Barrett poses for a portrait at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 4: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are still in the process of shedding the last vestiges of the LeBron version of this team, turning the roster over for the future. Collin Sexton, Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. are the only players on the current roster likely to play significant roles beyond next season so they have the luxury of simply letting fit take care of itself and selecting the best player available. If Barrett were to somehow slide to them at No. 5, he’d be the clear pick.

There’s an unfortunate amount of overlap between the skill sets of Sexton and Barrett — both have the potential to be dynamic three-level scorers but may not have the efficiency or decision-making to justify being lavished with that much responsibility on a good team. In a perfect world, they’d complement each other, sharing the creation responsibility and helping space the floor for each other. It’s not a bad fit necessarily, but it’s certainly not a clear-cut one either.

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