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 17, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard TyTy Washington Jr. (3) dribbles the ball against Saint Peter’s Peacocks guard Daryl Banks III (5) during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. TyTy Washington

If Sexton departs in free agency it’s easy to understand why the Cavaliers might opt for more of a playmaker with the No. 14 pick. Washington is a little small to be a wing and a little too slow to be a true point guard, but he does have the ball-handling skills required to produce efficient offense at the next level.

If Washington was 6-foot-8 he would easily project as a top-10 pick. Given the reality that he’s only 6-foot-4, it’s easy to see why he’s projected to fall deeper into the Lottery and perhaps even towards the bottom of Round 1. Concerns about his lack of a consistent three-point shot also really worry scouts.

Washington’s length does help mask his lack of height on the defensive end of the floor. He’s never going to guard big wings in the NBA but he can hold up against most 2s. That’s not the most valuable niche at the next level which explains why Cleveland can comfortably expect him to be available at 14.

The upside to Washington’s game is that he can get into the mid-range and really punish opposing defenses. It’s easy to see a scenario where he carves out a really nice role as a bench scorer for Cleveland when Darius Garland isn’t out there. If he can learn to play as a secondary creator at the shooting guard spot he could turn into a steal at this juncture in the draft.

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