The Wildcard: Devin Vassell, F, Florida St.
I’m not sure Devin Vassell should go in the top 10, let alone top five, but I would almost bank on it happening at this point. Cleveland definitely could be the team to take a chance on him early on, again given their desperate need for help on the wing. Executives seem to be mesmerized by Vassell’s two-way ability, seeing a potentially elite scorer and lockdown defender similar to Khris Middleton. I’m not sure I’m as big of a believer in the Florida State sophomore, but I do see the upside and he’d make a lot of sense for the Cavs.
Vassell put up respectable numbers in his second season for the Seminoles, averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.
He’s a great defender with incredible length, sporting a 6-foot-10 wingspan and the ability to guard four positions. His 93.6 defensive rating is evident of that defensive prowess Vassell possesses. As I mentioned before with Wiseman, Vassell would improve nearly every aspect of a lifeless Cavs defense and give them the wing they’re seeking.
The offensive scoring upside Vassell shows though, is why I could see him going higher than expected and why I could see Cleveland selecting him fifth overall. He’s a really good athlete who can score in the open floor, but he also can shoot it from deep. Vassell could add another very dynamic scorer next to Sexton and Garland, giving the Cavs a potential three-headed offensive monster. I’m not sure how much I believe in Vassell’s ability as a playmaker and his handling ability needs a lot of work, but his shooting and scoring might be enough to sell Cleveland on his worth.
I don’t think I’d be willing to bet on Vassell and invest a top-five pick in him, I think there’s a good chance he becomes just another 3-and-D role player. But he fits a position of need for the Cavs and has a skillset to help in areas, they are hurting for aid in.
I wouldn’t love the pick, but I would understand it and Vassell could be a diamond in the rough for Cleveland to snag.