What to watch in the NBA Draft for the Cavs
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The Cavs will be on the clock twice on Thursday during the NBA draft. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA draft begins Wednesday night. The Cavs aren't on the clock early, but there's still plenty of intrigue.
Why it matters: The draft is a marquee event for NBA fans — a celebration of the league's future stars and a lifeline for rebuilding franchises.
The big picture: For teams like the Cavs with stable, contending rosters, the draft isn't likely to produce major splashes.
- The most important roster tweaks will likely be made via trade or free agency. (Malcolm Brogdon, anyone?)
State of play: Duke phenom Cooper Flagg is widely expected to go first overall to the Dallas Mavericks, who won the lottery last month against the odds.
- The Cavs don't have a first-round pick, having shipped it to Utah in the 2022 Donovan Mitchell trade. But they do hold two second-round selections — Nos. 49 and 58.
The intrigue: Late second-round picks tend to be a crapshoot, but diamonds in the rough can be found. Just ask the Warriors (Draymond Green) or the Nuggets (Nikola Jokić).
What we're watching: Will president of basketball operations Koby Altman and company snatch up an overlooked talent, add frontcourt depth, or take a flyer on an international prospect?
💭 Sam's thought bubble: It's impossible to predict second-round picks, but my current fave is 19-year-old Aussie Rocco Zikarsky, a 7-foot-4 caveman with surprising fluidity and touch around the rim.
- He has a mullet in the Luke Travers mold.
Zoom out: The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA championship just last week, but the offseason fireworks have already begun. Memphis sharpshooter Desmond Bane is heading to Orlando and veteran superstar Kevin Durant is now a Houston Rocket.
What's next: The Cavs are in prime position in the East after long-term injuries to Boston star Jayson Tatum and Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
- Bench contributors Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill may be headed to more lucrative contracts elsewhere, but reinforcements are on the way.
Tune in: Round 1 of the draft airs Wednesday at 8pm on ABC and ESPN. The second round continues Thursday at 8pm on ESPN.