Cleveland Cavaliers: Michigan State, Duke are the teams to watch for Cavs fans
The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the top picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, and it’s likely they take a player from either Michigan State or Duke.
According to NBADraft.net, two of the top five players and a total of four lottery picks will be taken from the Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans. With the pick that was acquired in the Kyrie Irving trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers fans now have a good reason to watch more March Madness.
As many know, the pick the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired was the Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round pick. Currently projected as the No. 6 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, NBADraft.net is projecting the Cavs to take Luka Doncic. Unlike previous drafts, this one has no clear-cut No. 1 pick.
With a steady point guard, the Cavaliers are in need of a dynamic big man or really any player that falls to them and shows superstar upside.
As for the first 14 picks, the entire lottery could shake up, and many analysts are just guessing where these skilled prospects will land, albeit educated guesses. However, one thing is certain, barring any injuries, Michigan State and Duke will be the only college teams with multiple lottery picks, outside of possibly Kentucky who always have a couple stellar freshman entering the draft.
As it relates to the Cavs, there are two players to keep a close eye on this March, Marvin Bagley from Duke and Jaren Jackson Jr. from Michigan State. This season, those two have averaged 20.7 11.3 points per game respectively, with Bagley also chipping in an outstanding 11.2 rebounds per game.
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While Jackson’s numbers are not eye-popping, he’s playing on one of the most talented teams in the league, starting all seasoned sophomores. Just like Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015, Jackson had not statistically dominated the college game, although he certainly shows the upside to be a star in the NBA.
Now, on the national stage, it’s time for these two to prove their worth.
We’ve seen March Madness help boost players draft stock in the past, especially in cases such as Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier, both UConn guards that lit up March Madness.
Both Jackson and Bagley could drop down the board with horrific performances in their next several games, but what if they both dominate the field? What if it’s a Michigan State-Duke final?
If both teams run the table, could the two lottery picks not mentioned make their way to the top of the Cavs draft board?
Wendell Carter Jr., a 6-foot-10 center for the Univerity of Duke, is averaging 14.1 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game. The freshman standout is slotted in just following the Cavs projected pick. He’s projected to be taken No. 7 by the Magic while Miles Bridges, the sophomore from Michigan State who has received comparisons to Carmelo Anthony, is projected to go No. 13 to the Jazz.
However the next few months play out for these four players, the run that their respective team makes through the tournament will certainly not be the last time that we hear their name. Two stellar programs and four phenomenal potential lottery picks should highlight this March along with, of course, whoever decides to be this year’s Cinderella.
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As a Cavs fan, these two teams may hold the next Cavaliers’ superstar. So, be sure to keep your eyes on them as we’re just days before the start of the madness.