NBA Draft 2020: Best/worst fits for this year’s consensus lottery picks

Isaac Okoro, W, Auburn

Best: Cleveland Cavaliers (5)

After finishing dead-last in defensive rating in back-to-back seasons, including an all-time low of 116.8 in 2019, the Cavaliers have to address defense at some point, right? And after drafting small scoring guards with limited passing feel and major drawbacks as defenders, the Cavaliers have to draft for a wing at some point, right?

If that point is the 2020 NBA Draft, then Isaac Okoro could be the pick at No. 5, with such a selection being mutually beneficial to both sides. Cleveland incorporates plenty of off-ball cutting and having a tank such as Okoro to attack the basket would be quite useful on offense. He’s not a bad passer, either, and could see some handling responsibilities when attacking off the catch.

There is a bit of a logjam in the frontcourt that will need to be addressed sooner or later, but Okoro would be a smart pick for a Cavs team in dire need of wing help. He’s reportedly worked out with Golden State, Minnesota, and Cleveland thus far in the pre-draft process, so the interest appears to be real.

Worst: Minnesota Timberwolves (1) 

Minnesota may be pressed to add defensive help this offseason, either through the draft or through the free-agent market, but Okoro shouldn’t be the pick at No. 1 or in the event of minor trade-back.

He’s a mountain of a man and slashes to the rim as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his cutting and live-action passing would be useful next to Minnesota’s stars, but his current jumpshot makes this a bad idea. With a pair of non-shooting defensive specialists already rostered (Jarrett Culver, Josh Okogie), adding another in Okoro (28.6 3P%) may be a non-starter.