The Cavaliers, having already addressed frontcourt needs at No. 5, can take an upside swing on one of the draft’s most intriguing forwards. KZ Okpala, despite some deeply-rooted flaws, made significant progress as a sophomore. He struggled down the stretch of the season but still earned first-round looks.
Despite his shooting percentages tanking toward the end of the season, Okpala showed major growth overall as a three-point shooter this season. His volume and efficiency increased, all while showing potential off the dribble. He’s 6-foot-9, boasting a 7-foot-2 wingspan, and has legitimate creation skills. That’s something NBA teams will want to cultivate.
While not a great defender, Okpala has the tools to develop into a valuable multi-position defender at the next level. He needs to add strength and work on fundamentals, but the Cavs would make this pick with a long-term rebuild in mind. There’s time.