Cleveland Cavaliers: 2021 NBA Draft Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers know that the 2021 NBA Draft is an important step in their rebuild. This team reached the pinnacle of basketball success just a few short years ago, reaching the NBA Finals in four consecutive seasons and winning the 2016 NBA Championship.

The lifespan of an NBA team is cyclical, and after the success of the second LeBron James era the Cavaliers now have to spend their time at the bottom, resetting their talent pool and building the start of the next great Cavaliers team. Sometimes that process is quick, and other times it is a slow build.

The Cleveland Cavaliers go into the 2021 NBA Draft with just one pick. What is at stake for the franchise on Thursday night?

The Cavaliers will pick at No. 3 on Thursday night, the highest pick for them since the 2014 draft. Their rebuild thus far has brought back three top-10 players, none of which have been outright busts. Collin Sexton, taken eighth in the 2018 NBA Draft, has developed into a dynamic scoring guard. Darius Garland, who went fifth in the 2019 draft, took a huge step forward in his second season starting at point guard, while Isaac Okoro (fifth in 2020) is a work in progress.

The Cavaliers are looking to not only add to that core with the third pick, but give it the central building block it needs. With that in mind, what is an overall look at how the team is approaching the 2021 NBA Draft? What are their team needs, which prospects are in play at No. 3, and are there any trades the team is considering?