The first round of this year’s NBA Draft was devoid of major surprises. As expected, one-and-done stars ruled the opening round, while older prospects went largely under the radar.
Among them is Alex Karaban, whom the Cleveland Cavaliers selected with the No. 29 pick. He was swiftly traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the No. 34 pick and a future second-round selection.
Karaban had a legendary career at Connecticut, winning two national titles and being the first men’s basketball player to be inducted into the Huskies of Honor.
While he would have been a welcome addition to the roster, the Cavaliers, who are still in the second apron, had to let him go to give them more financial capability. Getting a second-rounder would be cheaper, and they could still find a diamond in the rough with the No. 34 pick.
The Plain Dealer’s Chris Fedor said Cleveland could use it on a hotshot forward from the Big Ten.
“An interesting name to file away for Wednesday with Cavs having pick No. 34: Nick Martinelli,” wrote Fedor on X.
Martinelli turned heads in his fourth year at Northwestern, averaging a conference-best 23.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He shot 51.0% from the field, including 41.7% from long range. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team for the second straight year.
He became only the fourth player in the Big Ten in the last 30 years to average at least 22.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, joining Luka Garza, Zach Edey, and Keegan Murray.
ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel had Martinelli going to the Miami Heat with the No. 41 pick in the final edition of his mock draft. Siegel compared him to Duncan Robinson and Max Strus.