3 draft day targets for Cavaliers at NBA Draft Combine

The NBA Draft is now front-and-center for NBA teams, with the NBA Draft Lottery deciding the fates of the league’s rebuilding franchises. Also taking place this week is the NBA Draft Combine, where most of the top prospects come together to work out, conduct interviews and play scrimmages in an attempt to boost their draft stock.

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have a first-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be present and locked into the prospects being evaluated. Armed with the 49th pick in the draft, the Cavs will hope to add a low-cost option who can become a rotation player, ideally on the wing.

Here are three draft day targets for the Cavs who they hope to get a closer look at this week at the combine.

Draft Day Target No. 3: Jordan Walsh, Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks were something of an enigma this season. They had a tumultuous season, dealing with multiple significant injuries as head coach Eric Musselman tried to unify a roster filled with freshmen and transfers. While their season record was mediocre, Arkansas put it together in the NCAA Tournament and made a run to the Elite Eight.

While names like Nick Smith Jr. and Anthony Black will dominate the conversation, and rightfully so as both are likely lottery picks, one under-the-radar prospect from the Razorbacks is their fellow freshman, Jordan Walsh. The 6’7″ forward was one of Arkansas’ best defensive players last season, defending inside and on the perimeter as the team deployed him in a variety of ways.

On offense, he is less of a complete package, but despite a poor shooting season his mechanics look sound and he should be an above-average shooter in the NBA. He is a smart player used to moving off the ball, cutting and screening and doing all of the little things a team needs. You can never have too many forwards on a team, and Walsh could be a draft-day steal for the Cavs.