For some teams, the NBA Draft is going to be the most important moment of 2023. Teams like the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons will likely see the course of their franchise changed by who they select (or don’t select) in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been there, most recently in 2021 when Evan Mobley dropped to No. 3 and changed their franchise forever.
Because of Mobley, and Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, the Cavs don’t need to rely on this year’s NBA Draft to build the future of their team. They also can’t, to an extent, thanks to the Caris LeVert trade; they owe their 2023 first-round pick to the Indiana Pacers if they make the playoffs this year (spoiler alert: they will).
That doesn’t mean the draft doesn’t matter, however. It’s a path to the Cavs adding bench help at a low price tag. They have an excellent recent track record of developing players, giving them a solid chance at finding a gem in the second-round who develops into a real contributor. While they don’t have a first-round pick, they do have the rights to the Golden State Warriors’ second-round pick.
The Cleveland Cavaliers can keep their eye on certain players in March Madness.
It’s Conference Tournament Week in college basketball, and next week the NCAA Tournament will kick off. Which college stars should the Cavs be watching as potential players to select in June’s draft? There are some the Cavs should avoid at all costs, but here are three who are worth watching for the Cavaliers and their fans.