CLEVELAND -- It's been a little more than two months since the NBA season began.
In that span, not much has changed for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sure Kevin Love has been injured and some of the names -- and even coaches -- on the team have changed. But in the time since the season began, the Cavs' outlook on the year has very much remained the same: Despite insisting otherwise throughout the summer, Cleveland very much remains lottery bound.
Not only that, but with an 8-26 record that's currently tied with the Phoenix Suns for the worst in the NBA, the Cavs are likely headed for a top-five pick. While that may make for a painful season, it will be good news come June, in what's expected to be a top-heavy draft.
Plenty, of course, can change in the six months. But for now, here's a look at the top prospects the Cavs could be picking from in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Zion Williamson, F, Duke
While there seemed to be some question regarding who Duke's best prospect would be at the start of the season, any doubt has since all be dissipated. After 12 games, Zion Williamson has emerged as not only the top player on the Blue Devils, but the top prospect in the country, with Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report projecting the freshman forward as the No. 1 pick in his most recent mock draft.
"It's already become difficult to picture an NBA draft board that doesn't have Zion Williamson at No. 1," Wasserman wrote.
In 26.2 minutes per game, the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson has averaged 19.8 points on .652 shooting to go along with 9.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. With his unique skill set and ever-growing highlight reel, Williamson has looked -- and played -- the part of a franchise-altering prospect.
R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke
While Williamson has established himself as the top player in the draft, his running mate, R.J. Barrett should make for a heckuva consolation prize. Through 12 games, the 6-foot-7 swingman ranks first on Duke -- and 11th in the country -- in scoring with 23.8 points per game, while adding 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Whereas Williamson may possess the higher ceiling, Barrett could very well lay claim to a higher floor -- a ready-made play capable of running his team's offense through multiple positions. Through this point in the season, the Mississauga, Ontario, product has struggled with his consistency, but has also shown flashed enough ability and provided enough production to keep himself in the conversation to be the No. 2 pick.
Cam Reddish, G/F, Duke
As opposed to his two more highly touted teammates, Cam Reddish has had some trouble adjusting to the college level. In 12 games, Reddish has averaged 13.5 points on .370 shooting, adding 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Nevertheless, the 6-foot-8 swingman's upside is clear and it's not crazy to think he may be better suited for the pro game. Furthermore, while he may trail Williamson and Barrett in most statistical categories, he does lead Duke's talented freshman trio in 3-point shooting with a .358 average.
At this point, Reddish appears to be more building block than franchise player. But if the Cavs' pick falls outside the top-two, he could provide Cleveland with plenty of value.
Bol Bol, C, Oregon
There may not be a more intriguing prospect in the draft than Bol Bol.
While the 7-foot-2 center is similar to his father, former NBA center Manute Bol, in size, he's already flashed a more complete game, averaging 21.0 points and 9.0 rebounds through the first 9 games of his college career. Perhaps most impressively, Bol has proven to be more than just a stereotypical big man, connecting on .13-of-25 (.520) of his 3-point attempts.
The big concern with Bol will be his durability and it's worth noting he's currently missing games with an unspecified foot injury. But if the Oregon big man can pick up where he left off upon returning, he won't have to wait long to hear his name called next June.
Kevin Porter Jr., G, USC
While Williamson, Barrett, Reddish and Bol have each made intriguing on-court cases for themselves, Kevin Porter Jr.'s draft prospects have more to do with his upside. Although he's flashed impressive athleticism and explosiveness, a quad injury has limited the 6-foot-6 shooting guard's freshman season to 5 full games.
In those contests, Porter has averaged 14 points on .538 shooting. Nevertheless, the former 5-star prospect remains an intriguing prospect and one to keep an eye on as he eyes a late- December return.
Other names
- Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech
- Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky
- Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
- Nassir Little, F, North Carolina
- Sekou Doumbouya, F, France