The Cavs Post-LeBron Future Begins Friday
Billy Preston
The Cavs signing undrafted free agent Billy Preston flew under the radar for most people on draft night. For those of you who have never heard of Preston, the former 5-star recruit out of high school committed to Kansas last year, but only played in the preseason due to an NCAA investigation into his recruitment. After it looked as though he’d be ruled ineligible, he left Kansas to play for the Bosnian professional team BC Igokea. He logged only 47 total minutes and 21 points in three games before subsequently leaving that team as well.
He came out of High School ranked 18th in ESPN’s 100, ahead of notables Trae Young and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Most scouts considered him to be a first-round talent, potentially even lottery level when he enrolled at Kansas. His stock suffered drastically by not playing in college.
Preston is listed at 6’10, 230 pounds with a massive 7’2″ wingspan. He’s a forward with the potential to play center in the small ball lineups of the of the modern NBA. There isn’t much he can’t do physically. He has decent range for a big man, but sometimes settled for jump shots too often in High School.
Undrafted players are always long shots to make the roster. His situation no different, but there’s no risk to bringing him in and giving him a shot in the summer league. The advancement of the G-League for player development is a huge advantage for undrafted players that teams did not have in the past. For as talented as he looked in high school, he’s the ideal player you’d want to take a flyer on in the G-League.
Did you think the public outcry was bad when Sexton decided to wear number 2? Imagine what it would be if Billy Preston makes the roster and tries to wear 23. It’s also worth noting though that Preston’s hometown is LA. If he does turn out to be a stud, I don’t want to even think about if the Cavs lose another star to the Lakers as a free agent.
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