NBA Draft rumors 2022: 5 targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers

Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ochai Agbaji (30) celebrates their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. EJ Liddell

Sochan represents the top prospect the Cavaliers can hope for at No. 14 while Liddell embodies the prospect who should serve as the team’s floor at that spot. The former Ohio State star is a solid wing prospect but he lacks the athletic burst required to project as anything more than an average starter.

Finding a quality wing starter at No. 14 is a win in any draft. Liddell should appeal to Cleveland because he already possesses the big body required to bang against the largest wings in the NBA. He’s going to struggle to stay in front of really quick guys but that weakness can be mitigated by a shot-blocker like Jarrett Allen protecting him at the rim.

Liddell also has a quality jump shot that comfortably extends out past the three-point line. He’s much better as a spot-up guy than when he’s forced to create off the dribble, but the Cavaliers have enough offensive initiators to allow him to slot comfortably into that kind of role.

Cleveland should be looking for more upside with their first-round pick but Liddell is a safe bet to be a meaningful contributor early in his professional career. The Cavaliers could do a lot worse than adding a starting small forward with this pick.

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