Draft Notes: Cavs, Tari Eason, Knicks, Pacers

Cavaliers

• The Cavs have 10 players on their radar for the No. 14 overall pick, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, mentioning LSU forward Tari Eason as one of them. Eason is who we have the Cavs taking in our first mock draft, which you can view at this link.
• As Fedor noted, Eason could help add to an already formidable defensive frontline that consists of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Also, Lauri Markkanen‘s length proved to be a problem for opponents later in the season.
• The Cavs aren’t looking at any one position in the draft. They could use a backup center. They could use an athletic forward. They could use some more perimeter shooting, which is why the name of Ohio State shooting guard Malaki Branham keeps coming up. Both Eason and Branham could be available when the Cavs select.
• Cleveland could also use a backup point guard to Darius Garland. But as I said on 92.3 The Fan, they are more likely to seek an experienced player to fill that role. We’ve all heard the Ricky Rubio chatter. But even if he does return, it’s not likely to be until about January, maybe February. The Cavs have others on their radar.

Knicks

• Kansas small forward Ochai Agbaji was among those who worked for the Knicks on Thursday, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Agbaji is viewed as a mid-first-round pick and the Knicks are drafting No. 12. Texas Tech guard Adonis Arms was also part of the workout, Begley added.
• Given that New York is desperate for a point guard, there’s been no shortage of talk about potentially moving up to No. 4 via a trade with the Kings. Sacramento is reportedly open to moving out of the spot. If the Knicks do move up, they could target Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. Right now, though, it’s all hypothetical.
• Per Bryan Fonseca of Basketball News, the Knicks may be able to entice the Kings to make a deal with the No. 12 pick and several young players. It’s a nice thought, but several reports have suggested the Knicks simply don’t have enough to convince the Kings to pull the trigger.

Pacers

• The Pacers held a group workout this week that included Vanderbilt’s Scotty Pippen Jr., per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. Others taking part: Quenton Jackson (Texas A&M);
  Drake Jeffries (Wyoming); Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga); Gabriele Procida (Fortitudo Bologna); and Luke Travers (Perth).
• Per Agness, another group workout is set for Friday. It will consist of: Eli Brooks (Michigan); Jeriah Horne (Tulsa); Brady Manek (North Carolina); Jared Rhoden (Seton Hall); Fatts Russell (Maryland) and Bryson Williams (Texas Tech). The Pacers own the Nos. 6, 31 and 60 picks.
• In case you missed it, the Pacers may have interest in a sign-and-trade for the Suns’ Deandre Ayton centered on Myles Turner. Both Ayton and Turner are represented by agent Bill Duffy, for what it’s worth (which may not be much).