Barnhizer is a 6’6” wing who has made noise recently.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a pair of second-round NBA Draft picks this summer. We’re profiling several prospects to keep an eye on as we approach the big day.
Today, we’re focusing on Brooks Barnhizer
Who is Brooks Barnhizer?
Barnhizer is a 6’6” wing who has worked out with the Cavs in their pre-draft process. He’s made a recent splash in the draft community with The Athletic’s Sam Veceenie listing Barnhizer as his 45th best prospect of the draft.
Where is Barnhizer expected to go in the draft?
Barnhizer has been moving up during the pre-draft process. He’ll likely be an early second-round pick.
What do the experts say about Barnhizer?
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic (and formerly Fear the Sword):
“I love players who can defend like he can within a team concept who also have positional size and length. With his massive 6-foot-11 wingspan and broad shoulders, he has a chance to be valuable at the NBA level on that end, especially when considering how sharp he is on the weak side ”
He’ll enter the NBA as a 23-year-old ready rotational wing. Due to his role being easier to put in a box, it’s less likely teams will develop his long-term potential, especially considering the current four-year below-average shooting numbers. The lack of developmental foresight and potential takes away the first-round value.
Regardless, Barnhizer is a plug-and-play, defensively stout wing who’ll impact the game with his paint touches and connective passing. That makes him an intriuging options for many NBA teams.”
How could Barnhizer help the Cavs?
It’s not very exciting when a prospect’s best traits are “hustle and toughness.” This usually means they are severely lacking in the tangible aspects of the game that matter most. That said, Cleveland should be valuing those traits more than other teams right now.
Cleveland needs toughness. They need a guy who is willing to get his hands dirty and play with a level of intensity that is undeniable. It’s doubtful that Barnhizer would earn enough rotational minutes to be that guy next season. But down the line? Maybe it could happen.
Drafting in the second round is a long shot. We all understand this. But developing a prospect who has strong foundations in one of your biggest areas of need — that’s as good of a bet as you can place this deep into the draft.
Barnhizer probably won’t develop into a three-point threat. Though it’s not entirely impossible. His skills as a team defender and connective playmaker are what have to make up for this. Those aren’t the best skills to fall back on in today’s NBA, but they aren’t the worst.