Does Broome fit what the Cavs are looking for in a big?
The NBA Draft is getting closer. Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have a first-round pick this season, they do have two late seconds (49 and 55) they can use to improve their roster.
Our goal with these profiles is to provide a surface-level understanding of each of the players the Cavs could realistically take late in the second round. This isn’t meant to be a deep dive breakdown. We will be doing those in a separate series for players the Cavs have had in for official visits or have been consistently linked to them in mock drafts.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at a Johni Broome, a 240-pound, 6’10” big man from Auburn.
Who is Johni Broome?
Broome was arguably the best player in college basketball. He averaged 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game on .510/.278/.587 shooting splits last season. This was good enough to earn him SEC Player of the Year. Broome was also the only player besides Cooper Flagg to be a unanimous First Team All-American.
The problem is, he might not have a position in the NBA.
There isn’t much of a market for undersized centers that aren’t overly athletic or great shooters. That is why Broome could be available for the Cavs as a late second-round pick.
Where is Broome expected to go in the draft?
Mock drafts aren’t super consistent about where Broome goes. Some have him being taken in the low 30s, while others have him outside their top 50.
What do the experts say about Broome?
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports:
Broome is a super senior who brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. But his shaky jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams would hope.
Maxwell Baumbach of No Ceilings:
There is no doubt that he is an exceptionally talented and productive player. But his production, paired with his age and body type, is definitely a little funky. Broome stands 6’9” with a 7’0” wingspan, and he’s listed at 240 pounds. He’s a little bit stubby for an NBA center, and he’s not super bouncy. But for a four, he’s not a lights-out shooter, nor is he laterally explosive. He doesn’t fit neatly into one box, nor does an easy player comp come to mind. Yet, when going across the statistical board, his BPM, rebound rates, assist numbers, and incredible shot-blocking resume make him appear like a surefire long-term NBA player.
How could Broome help the Cavs?
The Cavs actually could use someone who could alternate playing between the four and the five with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the roster. Being able to play both would allow them to be in the rotation even with both of the other bigs healthy.
That said, there’s a real question about whether Broome’s game could fit alongside either Allen or Mobley, considering both do most of their damage in the restricted area.
Broome may not have the skillset you’d look for in a big alongside this current core.