Cavs’ First-Round Pick Sent To Pacers Is Lottery Protected

The Cavaliers have no intentions of playing the NBA Draft lottery this year, but if they did, they could still use their pick.

That’s because the first-round pick that they sent to the Pacers as part of the Caris LeVert trade is lottery protected in both 2022 and 2023, as relayed by RealGM.

If in the off chance the Cavs’ pick isn’t conveyed by 2023, they would instead send their 2025 second-round pick and the Lakers’ 2026 second-rounder to the Pacers.

Granted, this is all a formality, as again, the Cavs believe they are playoff-bound. The Cavs (33-21) enter Monday night in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and are just a game out of first.

If the draft were held today, the Cavs’ pick that’s been sent to the Pacers would be No. 24 overall. So in short, the Pacers can intend on using that pick this summer. And the Cavs really want them to have it.

Otherwise, it will signify that something has gone awry. For the first time in a long time, the last thing the Cavs want is another lottery pick — or to be drafting in the first round at all.

For more on the LeVert trade, check out the following posts on Hoops Wire:

• Pacers’ Duarte found out about trade in hallway of Cavs’ arena
• Koby Altman: LeVert ‘fits uniquely’ into Cavs culture
• Podcast: Talkin’ LeVert deal and what may be next for Cavs

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