Report: Evan Mobley’s Representation Cautioned Cavaliers Not To Draft Him

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Evan Mobley‘s representation cautioned the Cleveland Cavaliers not to draft him. 

The Cavaliers drafted Mobley with the third overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Mobley is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension this summer. 

“Interestingly, Mobley’s representation, Wasserman, cautioned the Cavs prior to the 2021 draft not to select Mobley, league sources said,” Charania, Vardon and Lloyd wrote. “It is a common draft strategy among agents in an effort to get players to certain teams — in this instance, Oklahoma City. The Thunder made multiple offers for the Cavs’ No. 3 pick in the draft that year, league sources said. But the Cavs selected Mobley anyway, and the relationship has remained healthy and positive.”

Mobley averaged 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.4 blocks this season while shooting 58.0% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 71.9% from the free-throw line. 

A California native, Mobley has career averages of 15.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 blocks. He’s one of the top defenders in the NBA. 

“Mobley is now due an extension this summer, after his points per game dipped from 16.2 in 2022-23 to 15.7 this season,” Charania, Vardon and Lloyd wrote. “Mobley shot a career-best 37 percent from 3 this season but only averaged 1.2 attempts per game. His defensive ability and upside at 6-foot-11 make the 22-year-old a tantalizing player for the Cavs to prioritize moving forward, the type of high-upside player whom other teams could envision as a max-contract-caliber player.”

The Cavaliers went 48-34 during the regular season. They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

Cleveland head coach JB Bickerstaff’s job is in serious jeopardy. Several players questioned Bickerstaff’s strategies, game management, practice habits and accountability measures.