It’s hard to believe, but the Cavaliers are back in the NBA Draft Lottery, after all. But given how much of a rise they displayed this past season, they’re OK with it.
Who couldn’t use a little more help? Or another promising young player? Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman, for one, appears to be just fine with both.
As it stands, the Cavs have the worst odds in the entire lottery. If everything holds true to form, they will draft 14th overall. Considering Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard were each drafted at No. 15 overall … hey, you never know.
Granted, the Cavs are already plenty young — with the likes of Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen, Isaac Okoro and presumably restricted free agent Collin Sexton. But there is always room for one more.
There’s nothing wrong with having another young player that you can develop,” Altman said. “I don’t want to say, ‘Let’s trade it again and get somebody else.’ I think there’s a nice niche here for a young prospect to really grow without a ton of expectation, and grow into potentially a rotational player who can help down the road.”
The Cavs were able to keep their pick after initially sending it to the Pacers as part of the Ricky Rubio trade for Caris LeVert. At the time of the deal, the Cavs were expecting to make the playoffs. Then came injuries to Garland, LeVert and later, a biggie involving Allen’s finger.
Wisely, Altman protected the pick for the lottery. If the Cavs make the playoffs next season, well, the Pacers can have it then.
For now, though, they intend to keep the one they own in 2022, and by most accounts, keep it to add another young guy to their already promising young nucleus.
By the way, most respected mock drafts have the likes of G League shooting guard Dyson Daniels, Kansas shooting guard Ochai Agbaji, Ohio State shooting guard Malaki Branham and Kentucky point guard TyTy Washington falling in the No. 14 overall range. The Cavs also could look to go bigger, with the likes of Ed Davis and Moses Brown not expected to return (though Brown will supposedly get an opportunity).
Either way, shortly after a season in which the Cavs surpassed expectations, they can say that more help is on the way.
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I like the scenario of having the pick. just maybe it might go against the odds & move upward, but hey it’s still all good. If they can only find SOMEONE who has a very high 3 pt percentage ! They NEED a real Shooter, & at present I’m not sure what a pick in that range would bring. Just have to wait & see if there’s a Shooter available. ALSO, I am a huge fan of MOSES BROWN’s HUSTLE. Sorry but I would KEEP this man, if nothing else for the challenge of next yr losing another of the BIG three to a 2 or three game injury, or just to give them a blow with losing height! You can’t teach height, & make no mistake Brown DID cause some shots to be ALTERED & MISSED protecting the rim, & ran the floor just like the others did. Yes, he’s not Mobley, but he tries & his determination was exciting even when behind.