NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers

3. Brandon Clarke, Forward, Gonzaga

The Step Back Big Board Ranking: 9

Clarke feels like he doesn’t fit the Cavs on paper, as he’s an older prospect that is probably best playing within that Love/Thompson/Nance logjam at the four. But his skill set marriage with Kevin Love is brilliant, and he is not your typical 22-year old prospect that traditionally has a low ceiling. Clarke’s shooting has latent upside given the improvements he has made throughout his career, and he also has a size/athleticism/awareness combination that generally leads to improvement at the next level. In particular, Clarke’s finishing touch is truly elite especially for this class, and even if his lethal college rim protection doesn’t completely transfer to the next level given his strength, he at the very least figures to be a significant plus defending in space at the next level thanks to his instincts. If he does add that strength, it’s going to further unlock upside as both a finisher and rim protector.

The fit with Kevin Love is too good to ignore for the Cavaliers. Much like Nance and Thompson, he’s a five on offense and a four on defense, meaning he can handle the switching aspects of defense and be a primary space defender, while operating as a play-finisher out of the pick-and-roll and dunker spot on offense, freeing up Love’s creation room. He’s going to be a lethal short roll decision-maker, which would take the onus off Collin Sexton to provide all of the gravity out of that set. While there may not be room for Clarke right away, he should be able to squeeze his way into the rotation with either minutes at the 3 or by offering a completely new rotation option as a super small-ball lone big at the 5. Clarke’s presence would likely spell the end of Thompson or Nance in Cleveland, instead of Clarke being limited by them.