AKRON, Ohio — The Cavaliers own the No. 49 overall pick in the draft and are bringing in players for workouts, gathering information, and approaching things as if they can find a second-round steal.
Among those being brought in — Eastern Michigan forward Emoni Bates and Kentucky wing Chris Livingston. The workouts were first relayed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Bates is perhaps the biggest mystery of the 2023 NBA Draft, projected to go anywhere from the end of the first round to not being drafted at all.
At 6-foot-9, he proved capable of playing either shooting guard or small forward in college. A highly touted high school prospect, Bates started at Memphis before transferring to Eastern Michigan. He was at times remarkable in the MAC, at other times just so-so.
But there is no doubt about his upside. NBA teams just fear it may never be realized.
Livingston is 6-6 and a native of nearby Akron. He spent part of his high school career with Buchtel, which just won its first state championship, as well as Western Reserve Academy in Hudson.
He spent just one fairly uneven season at Kentucky, averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 34 games. Livingston is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports and again, scouts love his upside. But again, there are concerns on if he will be anything more than a G League lifer. Some mock drafts don’t even have Livingston being selected in either round.
Meanwhile, Hoops Wire has the Cavs taking Bates at No. 49 overall. That may or may not happen, but he is at least on their radar as they search for a talented wing with size this offseason.
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