Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 early prospects in 2019 NBA Draft

Cleveland Cavaliers</a> remain winless. With a 0-6 record, the Cavs are the only team to still not have a win this season. While it is still early, fans everywhere now have their eyes on the 2019 NBA Draft.</p> <p>Scouting for the draft can never come early enough. Of course, there is no telling where the Cavaliers will end up landing in the draft order. However, if the start of the season is any indication, they will likely have a pretty good pick.</p> <p>With this being said, there are a bunch of promising players poised to enter the 2019 NBA Draft. From high-flying wing players to monstrous centers, the Cavaliers have a shot at landing a future franchise player.</p> <p>Bearing that in mind, it’s already time take a very early look at five different prospects the Cavs should be keeping their eye on. These are the best players, as of now, that Cleveland could potentially end up drafting high in the lottery.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328280" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-328280 size-large" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F944023802-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>5. Romeo Langford, SG — Indiana</h3> <p>The first prospect on the list is Indiana shooting guard, Romeo Langford. He is a wing player that can score in a number of different ways. His impressive play in high school made him a five-star recruit and he is expected to make waves at the collegiate level.</p> <p>Langford was a monster on the offensive end in high school. As a senior, he averaged 35.5 points per game on 56 percent shooting from the field. His ability to shoot from deep and put the ball on the floor made him a versatile threat.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmONYE6_-R8?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>While he lacks the foot speed of many other top recruits, Langford makes up for this with crafty moves. He is exceptional at picking his spots on the floor and knocking down shots, even with a defender in his way.</p> <p>Langford stands at 6’6″ and has a 6’10” wingspan. His length gives him the ability to be a good rebounder at his position and all of the tools necessary to become a good defender. He could potentially develop into a great guard to match with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sextoco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Collin Sexton</a>.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328281" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-large wp-image-328281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F938465778-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>4. Nassir Little, SF — North Carolina</h3> <p>Coming in at No. 4 on our list is North Carolina commit, Nassir Little. Little has been a star for quite some time and appears to be ready to take the leap. His skill-set makes him an ideal option for almost any team picking high in the draft.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XGzkUK6NgMg?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>Little began to make some noise at the 2018 Adidas Gauntlet, where he averaged 17.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He used his above average size and length to power his way through defenders and score at will.</p> <p>He has the capabilities of being a combo forward, something that is very appealing to modern-day NBA teams. He is big for his position and can do multiple things well. If he continues to develop other aspects of his game, such as ball-handling and shooting, he will be a superstar.</p> <p>The Cleveland Cavaliers should be looking to draft Little as he is the perfect prototype forward. Nassir Little is very much the type of player that is becoming more and more valuable in the NBA. Drafting him would be a great move for the Cavs.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328283" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-large wp-image-328283" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1052855610-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>3. Zion Williamson, PF — Duke</h3> <p>Perhaps the most exciting player that could enter the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson has serious superstar potential. Williamson became a nationwide phenomenon when videos of him dunking went viral. It’s not very often you witness a player throw down 360 dunks in a game, but for Zion, it was nothing unusual.</p> <p>Standing at 6’7″ and weighing 285 pounds, Zion is massive. If he entered the NBA today, he would only be five pounds away from the heaviest player in the league. Despite his size, Williamson is somehow able to burst up and down the court with insane speed. Furthermore, leaping for free throw line dunks appear to be effortless for him.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Deu4GZaYFiM?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>A player of his size and athleticism is truly rare. He quickly has drawn comparisons to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">LeBron James</a>. However, there are many questions surrounding Zion. For starters, it is uncertain if he will ever be able to develop a consistent jump shot. Then, there are concerns about his health. How long can a player that big sustain the wear and tear of his play style?</p> <p>Anytime there’s a guy who relies heavily on his athleticism for success, it’s a risky move to draft him. However, Williamson may be too enticing for the Cavaliers to pass on.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_292917" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-large wp-image-292917" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F03%2F925444038-texas-a.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h3>2. Daniel Gafford, C — Arkansas</h3> <p>Next up is Arkansas big man, Daniel Gafford. Gafford has been earning himself comparisons to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Anthony Davis</a> for his ability to rim run and block shots at a high rate. His athleticism is on an elite level and he has been developing quickly.</p> <p>In his freshmen season for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Gafford averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks a game as he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. His <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=107&amp;v=fDsezwpG3Vc%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">performance on both ends</a> of the floor made him a force to be reckoned with. By the end of his first season, Gafford became the first Razorback to record 400 points, 200 rebounds and 60 blocks as a freshman.</p> <p>Gafford is an exciting prospect for the Cleveland Cavaliers to look at. He could turn into a very impressive shot-blocker at the NBA level and runs the court gracefully. Pairing him with the Cavs’ young core could be perfect, as a rim protector is one thing they desperately need.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328285" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-large wp-image-328285" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1054717604-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>1. R.J. Barrett, SG/SF — Duke</h3> <p>The No. 1 option on this list is R.J. Barrett. The Duke commit has become widely known for his all-around dominant skill-set. Barrett is a guy who can impact the game in multiple ways.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XmFZXoWuDDc?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>As a senior in high school, he led his team to a perfect 32-0 record en route to being named the 2018 Naismith Player of the Year. During his final year in high school, Barrett averaged 27.0 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting from the field.</p> <p>Barrett was the No. 1 college prospect and has already gotten himself off to a great start with Duke. So far, he’s had multiple 30-plus point performances for the Blue Devils during their exhibition games. He’s looked very promising and has controlled each game he played in.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Week 3 NBA Power Rankings" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/29/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-3/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/30/cleveland-cavaliers-5-early-prospects-2019-nba-draft/"https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/29/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-3/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Week 3 NBA Power Rankings </a> </div> </div> <p>He will likely be the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and if the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a position to take him, they would be foolish to pass up on that opportunity.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">