NBA Draft 2020: Matching top prospects with needs of top lottery teams

Cleveland Cavaliers: Scoring — G/F Anthony Edwards, Georgia 

Two seasons after LeBron James’ second departure, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in the middle of a deep roster rebuild.

Selecting guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland in back-to-back drafts, the Cavs are in need of a franchise cornerstone and someone to become the new face of the franchise. With that said, look no further than University of Georgia freshman forward Anthony Edwards.

Playing just a single season in Athens, the former #1 recruit lit up college competition enough to match the immense preseason hype that accompanied him following his recruitment. Averaging 19.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, Edwards steered the Bulldogs firmly in the conversation for a bid to the NCAA tournament before its cancelation this spring.

Now as Edwards looks to the pros, his skills and potential are a perfect match with the Cavs timetable and overall needs as a franchise. An athletic freak and with the potential to be a go-to scorer in the NBA, Edwards will have plenty of time to develop, learn and grow under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in Cleveland.

Firmly 2-3 years away from contention and in a growingly competitive Eastern Conference, Edwards won’t face the early pressure and need for immediate results he would in other landing spots, making his fit alongside an already talented young core a no-brainer for him and the Cavs going forward.