NBA Draft 2020: Shakeup among frontcourt players in January mock draft

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Trendon Watford #2 and Emmitt Williams #5 of the LSU Tigers defend Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans as he grabs a rebound in the second half of the game at Staples Center on December 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Cleveland Cavaliers – Cole Anthony, 6’2″ 185lbs, PG, North Carolina

Another top guy who has been sidelined with an injury, Anthony’s draft stock should see no ill effects and his skill level keeps him in top three consideration.

This season has been one large mess from the Cavaliers. From John Beilein confusing “slugs” and “thugs” during film sessions, to Kevin Love’s outrages on the court, to Darius Garland not looking all that sharp for where he was taken; things have looked quite bleak in Cleveland. The Cavs need some sort of adrenaline shot to reinvigorate the franchise.

Enter Cole Anthony. The UNC product has been out of action with a slight tear in his meniscus and the Tar Heels have struggled mightily without him, but do not forget the fact that when he’s healthy, Anthony has the chance to be one of the most dynamic players in the draft.

Yes, the Cavs have taken guards in consecutive years in Sexton and Garland, but Anthony might have a higher ceiling than both of them. He’s a great athlete, a high-level shooter, and he’s shown all the signs of having the capabilities of being a plus level playmaker. Sexton can get away with sliding to the two-guard, and the Cavs can figure out a way to balance Anthony and Garland.

Given the other options on the board, there’s a lot of directions in which the Cavs could go with this pick, but Anthony is a good candidate to inject some life into a franchise that has seen dark days since the departure of LeBron James.

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