The Cleveland Cavaliers were tied for the highest odds of landing the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft Lottery. Unfortunately, though, the Cavs fell to No. 5 overall. To some, this may seem like a less-than-ideal scenario, but the team is remaining optimistic.
Cleveland will have several options at No. 5 overall. Staying at No. 5 is a possibility, but the Cavs could also look to move up (or down) in the 2020 NBA Draft. Either way, the team seems to be comfortable with where they’re picking:
“All good. We’re fine,” a team source texted shortly after the results were revealed, via Chris Fedor of cleveland.com. “We will get another really good player.”
The Cavs have selected several first-round players in the last two drafts, including Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr. and Dylan Windler. Though the team finished with the worst mark in the Eastern Conference (19-46), the young group has some promise as they continue to build in the wake of LeBron James’ second departure.
If the Cavs had managed to snag a top-three pick, they would’ve had a shot at Memphis big man James Wiseman or guards LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. Those players will have likely been selected by the time Cleveland clocks in at No. 5 (if that’s when they clock in).
Still, there will be potential talent left on the proverbial table at No. 5 to add to the cupboard of young talent. This is IF the Cavs want to continue a rebuild with young talent, though. They may want to trade the pick in a package for a star player in an attempt to win now.
Cleveland has several bigs on the roster as it stands now, including Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Andre Drummond. Thompson is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Drummond is expected to pick up his $28.75 million player option for the coming season. That means the Cavs will have talent in the paint, but for how long? Might the team consider adding a big for the future? It’s also worth noting that center Ante Zizic left the Cavs earlier week, signing a two-year deal with Israeli powerhouse Maccabbi Tel Aviv.
We’ll have to wait and see which route the Cavs choose to take in the 2020 NBA Draft.