NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 05: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders brings the ball up court during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on January 5, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas State 63-57. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – JANUARY 12: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils drives to the basket against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Donald L. Tucker Center on January 12, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

5. Cameron Reddish, Wing, Duke

The Step Back Big Board Ranking: 12

It’s weird that we’re talking about the idea of Reddish potentially falling to Cleveland at the No. 5 pick, but with teams very interested in Reddish’s skill set after an impressive combine, Reddish is probably a very realistic target for the Cavs. And while he’s definitely not the most exciting prospect in a vacuum, his fit in Cleveland could be decent.

The immediate red flag is pairing two negative instinct players in Collin Sexton and Reddish as your primary creators. The Cavs will certainly be buying into the idea of Reddish as an initiator type if they draft him fifth, and that could be a situation that negatively affects Reddish, who doesn’t see the floor well and will likely see his ceiling capped by early introduction of creation responsibility. There’s a very real ceiling to this pairing from a creation perspective, even if Sexton rounds into form as a scorer, because it puts a significant limit on the ball movement that an offense built around them can generate.

But if the Cavs go in with realistic expectations for Reddish, it could be a better outcome. Reddish isn’t an elite slasher by any means, but he did score a lot off cuts, which combined with his shooting potential and upside as a screener could make him an interesting sidekick offensively to Kevin Love. Reddish’s defensive versatility and instincts are legitimately good, and he might become one of the Cavs’ best defenders as soon as next season. If they treat Reddish like that role player piece that they should probably be targeting at this spot, Reddish could end up having some good value.

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