The NBA is finally nearing what could be the start of a historic 2023 NBA Draft. The excitement surrounding the draft goes beyond San Antonio’s almost certain first overall selection of Victor Wembenyama from France. While the Cleveland Cavaliers will surrender their first-round pick to the Indiana Pacers, they hold onto the 49th overall pick via Golden State.
The Cavs are not looking for the next LeBron James in this draft, but this year’s Miami Heat NBA Finals roster proved that the second round could be full of rotational pieces with the right development. Certainly, many will look at 2023 Finals MVP Nikola Jokic as a former second-round pick, but the reality is that Cleveland is not going to discover a generational talent.
A number of rumors surround the Cavaliers as a team looking to move up into the late first round, but they may stand still with hopes of drafting a steal at 49. Late draft picks are an incredibly team-friendly contract, and the Cavs have shown themselves more than willing to develop hidden talent in recent years with Dean Wade as a prime example as an undrafted talent brought into the Land.
Who can the Cavs snag at 49?
The clear focus in this year’s draft for Cleveland is a long range shooting forward that is already league-ready. The Cavs have time to develop a player, but bringing in an immediate NBA-caliber wing is seemingly their goal. These players may have played multiple years in college prior to their entrance to the Association. They typically have a lower ceiling than the top tier of prospects, but they can be a perfect selection for a team only one piece away from contention.
These are four talented prospects that could be available at 49 for Cleveland, and could very well end up being steals.
Jordan Walsh, Arkansas
Considered one of the most explosive athletes in the draft, Arkansas Razorback forward Jordan Walsh is entering the NBA Draft after his freshman campaign. Standing at 6-foot 7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Walsh has the prototypical physique for a long career in the NBA as a big forward. His build allows him to play at either the 3 or the 4 with the reach to be a stellar defender.
Walsh’s defense is likely his greatest asset but he can make plays for others, finish and should have value on the offensive end if his shot can come around. On a defense-first team such as the Cavaliers, Walsh’s potential would flourish under J.B. Bickerstaff.
In The Ringer’s most recent NBA Mock Draft by Kevin O’Connor, Jordan Walsh is projected to be selected at 38th by the Sacramento Kings. Walsh’s value is well noted, so he might be off the board by the time the Cavaliers are up for selection. All it takes is one or two players at his position suddenly shooting up the draft in order for Walsh to fall into Cleveland’s hands.
As any rookie, Walsh would need time to adjust to NBA competition, but by the end of the next season the incoming forward could find himself in a secured spot in Cleveland’s rotation each night out.
With Walsh being projected well before Cleveland’s opportunity, he may only be a realistic target in the event of the Cavaliers trading up in the draft. But, his potential fit in Cleveland has to be recognized ahead of Thursday’s draft.
This draft has no shortage of wing talent, so what prospects are going to be left come pick 49?
Hunter Tyson, Clemson
What if the Cavaliers could bring in a 40 percent 3-point shooter who grabs nearly 10 rebounds every night? Cleveland, meet Hunter Tyson. A five-year recruit from Clemson, Tyson has improved his overall game year after year. Sports Illustrated noted that Tyson finished in the top three in nearly all shooting drills at the G League Ignite Camp in May.
Every NBA team covets a tall wing who can shoot and rebound, and the Cavaliers may be the team in the greatest need of that talent. At 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, The Ringer projects Tyson being selected 47th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers (you can refer to the aforementioned link). While this still places Tyson just before the Cavaliers’ selection, he is an absolutely possible steal if he happens to fall at all.
A proven college talent that showed continual improvement, Tyson as the newest Cavalier could be a dream come true. Bringing in Tyson as a ready-to-go player opens up Cleveland’s ability to focus on filling out depth at other positions this free agency, such as a backup big or guard.
Maybe Cleveland wants somebody with something more to prove, though. In that case, this former top prospect might be the guy.
Emoni Bates, Eastern Michigan
A few years ago, Emoni Bates was considered to be a definitive top three 2023 prospect. Now, though, he is projected at the end of the second round it seems, and there’s a ton of skepticism about Bates’ ability to play at the next level. Bates has a mountain of potential, but his poor shot selection and lazy defense is worrisome.
If Bates is such a risky choice, is Cleveland even really willing to consider him? At this point, the Cavaliers do not have time to waste. Their championship window is ready to open, so every player must be the right guy for the job.
Selecting so late in the draft might mean Cleveland has to swing for the fences, though, and Bates might be seen as a low-risk, high-reward type of choice. If he flames out and cannot earn a rotational spot, the Cavaliers are not losing out on much. But, if he can take the advice of the training and coaching staff along with his teammates, Bates might become an all-time steal as a shot-maker in the latter portion of the draft.
Clearly the Cavaliers think this might be the case, as he posted on his Instagram story at a tryout in Cleveland.
With The Ringer slotting Bates in as the final pick, the Cavaliers might find themselves looking in another direction when they’re on the clock.
The final prospect is currently projected to be Cleveland’s choice. How does he fit into the system, and could he be a steal?
Jalen Wilson, Kansas
At 22 years old, the Kansas Jayhawks website suggests that Jalen Wilson will be “one of the most decorated players in Kansas men’s basketball history” – quite an eye-catching statement for a second round prospect.
As stated prior, Wilson is currently mocked as the Cavaliers’ choice at 49, according to The Ringer. O’Connor boasts Wilson’s handle and strength. He is too swift for bigs but too tough for smaller guards. His drawbacks, though, are that he shoots well from the arc on catch-and-shoot opportunities but struggles to create his own shot.
Thankfully, the Cavaliers would not be asking Wilson to serve as a primary ball handler or shot creator. Wilson has the size and strength to drive into the paint and can shoot the ball off of a pick-and-roll or pass out of a drive. That might be the exact prospect Cleveland needs right away. Wilson will have the chance to learn from his peers how to create his own shot in time.
The offensive upside is already there, giving the Cavaliers plenty of reason to be intrigued in Wilson’s game.
NBA Draft Room compares Wilson to Cleveland’s very own Dylan Windler (without the repetitive injury concerns). Could he be the second chance the Cavs never got? A healthy long range threat with steady defense pushes Cleveland into contention if everything goes well.
If Wilson’s game translates from college to the NBA, he will be an astounding steal for the Cavaliers at pick No. 49. The 2023 NBA Draft is nearing ever closer, so time will tell soon enough.