Wednesday's summer league matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic features four top-10 picks in the last two drafts -- Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro for the Cavs, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner for the Magic -- with each member of that quartet expected to have a big role in reshaping their respective franchises.
With that in mind, here are three things fans should be watching in the Eastern Conference bout.
The scoring prowess of Okoro and Suggs
With the Magic starting a three-guard lineup in Suggs, Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton, there's a good chance we'll see Cleveland's best perimeter defender, Okoro, checking Suggs for long stretches. Although he wasn't overly efficient in a win over the Warriors -- he shot just 9-of-22 from the field -- Suggs bullied Golden State's smaller guards on his way to the rim with his strength and aggression. Suggs won't have that luxury against the 6-foot-6, 225-pound Okoro, who has been comfortable defending either backcourt spot early on in his NBA career. Can Suggs score efficiently in the half-court as the primary creator against a strong-bodied defender like Okoro?
Okoro has been aggressive offensively so far in Vegas, going for 17 points on 13 shots against Houston in the opener. Already a physical downhill driver, Okoro's ability to expand his shot creation repertoire could go a long way in determining his upside. If there's one guard in Vegas who can match his physicality, it's Suggs. He was all over the place defensively against Golden State, collecting two steals and three blocks, rotating from the weak side for timely swats in key moments.
We'll learn a lot about Suggs' ability to score efficiently against NBA-caliber defenders, as well as how Okoro has progressed offensively with a high-motor defender like Suggs tracking him. We'll also have a close eye on how Suggs is meshing with other scoring guards like Anthony and Hampton.
How will Mobley and Suggs handle switches?
Although they don't play the same position, I would expect Mobley to switch out onto Suggs quite often, as his ability to defend the perimeter is one of his best attributes. This will give us a good window into whether Mobley will be as effective at checking guards in the NBA as he was in the Pac-12. Based on what I saw in person all year at USC, I think he'll continue to be a major asset defending the perimeter -- even against Suggs.
We'll also see whether Suggs can create against the length and agility of a 7-footer like Mobley, a question NBA scouts had. Because he was surrounded by so much talent at Gonzaga, his naysayers wondered whether he was a talented enough ball handler and consistent enough shot-maker to be the primary creator for the better part of 48 minutes. After shooting just 6-of-16 inside the arc against the Warriors, how will Suggs fare against a rim protector like Mobley?
We'll also likely see Suggs checking Mobley at times if the Magic switch, which would give us a gauge for how effective he can be at punishing switches in the NBA. Similar to a young Jrue Holiday, Suggs can hold his ground in the post against bigger players, and I'd expect him to be physical with the Cavs' rookie big man if he finds himself on an island inside 15 feet. Although still finesse-based, Mobley has outstanding hands, touch and footwork, and he's clearly at his best attacking in space and using his positional handle and feel.
Can Wagner guard Okoro and Mobley?
We saw the Magic use Wagner some at center against Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors, and I'd be curious to see how that looks against Mobley and the Cavs. Wagner -- noted for his defensive versatility at Michigan -- did have some trouble keeping Kuminga out of the paint on straight-line drives at times. But if Wagner can slide up and check 7-footers like Mobley, that certainly adds to his potential intrigue as the 19-year-old's frame continues to fill out. I'd also expect to see Wagner check Okoro for stretches, testing his foot speed.
We'll have a close eye on Wagner's shooting, which was shaky during his debut (0-for-6 from 3) and is a clear swing skill for the German forward. Wagner's ball moving style, cutting and defensive smarts are more suited for regular-season basketball, but summer league will show us more about his confidence from beyond the arc, his defensive versatility and how he matches up physically against a big like Mobley and a wing like Okoro.
Mike Schmitz is an NBA Draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.