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NBA Mock Draft: Wolves move up, Lakers get All-American

By Dylan Jackson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the second half in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Baylor Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the second half in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Baylor Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 01: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils drives to the basket against the Nysier Brooks #3 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center on February 01, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NBA Mock Draft Projection: Cavaliers (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 01: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils drives to the basket against the Nysier Brooks #3 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center on February 01, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NBA Mock Draft Projection: Cavaliers (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

156. . Forward. Cleveland Cavaliers. Jalen Johnson. 7. player

The Cleveland Cavaliers have young players all across their roster – and that core has become one of the most fun to watch in basketball. Both Darius Garland and Collin Sexton look like hits, while Isaac Okoro seems to be one of the better players in the 2020 NBA Draft class. Additionally, the acquisition of Jarrett Allen seems to have given the Cavaliers their starting center of the future.

NBA Mock Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers get college star Jalen Johnson

The Cavaliers really need, particularly with Kevin Love seemingly being unhappy, a bouncy forward that can defend and hit the occasional three, which Duke forward Jalen Johnson fits perfectly.

Johnson has a unique combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability and uses his 6-foot-9, 220-pound frame wonderfully. He had arguably the best game of any college prospect against Pittsburgh this season, posting a stat line of 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks – all with zero turnovers.

Johnson, with his athleticism, can seemingly play any frontcourt spot, giving the Cavaliers another versatile, young player. Garland/Sexton/Okoro/Johnson/Allen is FUN, and while I may not think as highly on Johnson than some, the Cavaliers developmental staff has proven they are one of the best over the course of the past three seasons, and adding another player who can contribute as a rookie while having a lot of upside is something that should not be taken for granted.

The two-man game between Johnson and Garland could be very, very fun, particularly if Garland builds off of his recent season where he averaged 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists per game on 45/40/85 splits – all before his third NBA season.

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