The Cleveland Cavaliers were busy preparing to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, but while the players were on the court prepping, GM Koby Altman had his eyes elsewhere. Tuesday night marked the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery, where every team that missed the NBA playoffs found out where they would be picking in June’s 2018 Draft.
The Cavs, who traded away guard Kyrie Irving to the Celtics last summer, acquired a number of players and assets, one of which was the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 unprotected first round pick. On Tuesday night, the Cavs found out that pick would be the number eight. What they do with the pick now, however, is a whole different conversation.
Altman, who is attending Game 2 of the Conference Finals, spoke to Cleveland.com about the pick and revealed that they absolutely plan to explore the young players in the Draft and see who they can select.
“Finally we know where we are and it was nerve wracking, obviously, going through that process, but, we’re pretty comfortable where we are,” Cavs general manager Koby Altman said in Boston. “We realize how deep this draft is. We’re excited about the potential of this pick and the player we can get at eight.”
“I think where we’re at, we’re in the Eastern Conference finals, which is I think a great achievement,” Altman said. “We’re competing to get to the Finals. I think we have really talented young players and I think with this draft pick, it sets us up for sustainable success.”
Late last week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he doesn’t envision LeBron James being okay with playing with a rookie as he pursues a championship.
There’s still over a month away until the NBA Draft, and we’ll see what the Cavs do with the pick as the NBA season comes to an end.