With brackets being busted on the first day, Cinderella teams making improbable runs and Kentucky suffering another early tournament exit, the 2024 edition of March Madness has not disappointed. With Alabama, NC State, Purdue, and UConn set to play in the Final Four this weekend, the college basketball season is headed for an epic conclusion. With that conclusion though, comes the next step for most college players: the NBA Draft.
Unlike last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have their first-round draft pick under their control. However, as Cleveland showed last year, the team is not afraid to dip into the second round or undrafted realm to acquire players (see Craig Porter Jr.). While the Cavs have their core intact for the most part, they should still be looking to add talent in order to keep the team’s long-term future intact.
There are some intriguing prospects in this year’s Final Four that could help the team round out the edges of their roster. Here are four Final Four prospects that would make sense for the Cavs.
1. Stephon Castle, UConn
Stephon Castle is likely to go in the lottery, but he would be a perfect fit for the Cavs if he falls on draft night. Castle is a rugged defender who has often taken on the toughest assignments for UConn this season. The fact that he is doing this as a freshman is even more impressive. Given the defensive mentality that Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has implemented, Castle would fit in with that.
In addition to his great defense, Castle offers a sound offensive game. He has a quick first step and is great at getting to the rim. He does not shy away from contact and uses his physicality to his advantage. In addition to that, his mid range game is very sound, as he is very good at getting to his spot when he needs to. He is a smart player for someone who is not even 20 years old yet.
Speaking of smarts, Castle has shown flashes of playmaking this season alongside his scoring and defense. While he is not the lead guard for UConn, when he has his opportunities to create for others, he makes it count with the right move. This bodes well for the NBA, given how important diverse skill sets are at the wing spot.
The one drawback to Castle’s game though is his three-point shot. He is only shooting 26 percent from three-point range this season, including only one made three-pointer in four games in March Madness. His other skills make up for that, but he needs to develop a consistent outside shot at the next level. Fortunately, that is fixable.
Given the fact that Isaac Okoro is a free agent this offseason and the future of Donovan Mitchell in limbo, Castle would make a lot of sense for the Cavs. They would likely have to trade up to get him, but he would be worth it for their future.
2. Alex Karaban, UConn
Another UConn forward that would be a great fit for the Cavs, Alex Karaban has been lights out for the Huskies this season. He is averaging about 14 points per game, five rebounds, and shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range. Talk about efficiency.
Karaban’s shooting is easily the best part of his game. He is the perfect fit for today’s NBA because of his ability to stretch the floor. He is also reliable at scoring inside, using his strength to finish around the rim. However, Karaban is not someone who is often going to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. With Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland's backcourt, the Cavs can easily make up for Karaban's poor shot creation. He is more of a spot-up and movement shooter. He needs to be created for; he will not be the creator.
Another thing in his favor that pops out on tape is his confident stroke. If he has just a little bit of daylight, odds are he is going to let it fly. The Cavaliers have witnessed great success with confident shooting this season, both in Okoro's rise and Sam Merrill's flamethrower shot. Adding a rookie with a dependable jumper would immediately impact Cleveland's offense.
In addition to his shooting, Karaban is sound defensively. He can guard bigger players thanks to his 6-foot 8-inches, 220 lb frame. One thing Karaban doesn’t have though is athleticism, which could be a problem, especially if he has to play small forward in the league. He is not quick enough to guard the perimeter, making him a liability on a switch. Still, the Cavaliers have time to develop him and other sturdy perimeter defenders to mask his inefficiency.
Karaban has all the makings of a sound role player for the NBA. Given the emphasis the Cavs have put on the three point shot this season, adding an efficient and polished one like Karaban would be ideal.
3. Grant Nelson, Alabama
Following two UConn prospects, Alabama breaks the mold and proves other schools are producing NBA players. Big man Grant Nelson of the Crimson Tide offers some intrigue. Nelson has had an up-and-down tournament, but he was very impressive in the Sweet 16 against North Carolina and has flashed his skillset all season.
Nelson is a sound defender and rim protector. He has been instrumental in the Tide turning their defense around during March Madness, as he is averaging around two blocks per game in their four games. Nelson is also a strong rebounder, adding to his NBA-readiness.
Like Karaban, Nelson's weakness defensively is his perimeter protection, as he is pretty stiff and slow to react to certain actions. That is something he has to fix at the next level. Again, the Cavs have the talent around him to make up for this fallback, but they will need to assess if they can improve his perimeter impact.
Offensively, Nelson is a very smart player with the ability to finish at the rim. While he needs to develop more touch on his finishes, he gets the job done in that department. He has a great handle that allows him to get by defenders and drive to the rim, while also having pretty impressive straight line speed.
Nelson adds to his skillset as a big man with talented playmaking and passing. In the modern NBA, centers and bigs who can create for others is incredibly valuable. If his passing translates to the league, Nelson will have major impact on his next destination. He is great at setting up others, specifically when he gets the ball in the high post. He is a high IQ player, who almost always makes the right decision.
The Cavs could be in need of a backup big next season. With Tristan Thompson not getting any younger, Cleveland could use a younger presence in their frontcourt to back up Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Nelson fits that bill.
4. Aaron Estrada, Alabama
Sticking with the Tide, Aaron Estrada has been essential to their success this season. Estrada has an efficient offensive game, especially in the mid range. He is very good at getting to his spot and rising up over his defender to get the shot off. His tough shotmaking is uncanny. Estrada is also an okay three-pointer shooter, as he needs to develop consistency from deep but currently shoots them around 33 percent.
Estrada also has a fluid handle that allows him to get to the rim. Offense is not hard to come by for the fifth-year guard. However, where Estrada hangs his hat is the defensive side of the ball. With his lanky frame, he is good at staying in front of guards and generating steals to give his squad extra possessions running downhill. Estrada is averaging roughly two steals per game this season, including a four steal game against Grand Canyon in the second round.
One thing Estrada needs to improve on is his strength. He will get pushed around by bigger, stronger guards at the next level. His length might make up for that, but putting on about ten pounds of muscle will be ideal for the college journeyman.
The Cavs are in need of more playmakers and shot creators, specifically off the bench. Estrada offers tough shotmaking ability that can make him a good role player for the Wine and Gold.
There are star players that did not make the cut for this list like Donovan Clingan, DJ Burns, and Zach Edey. However, the prospects on this list are the ones that fit the Cleveland Cavaliers best and the ones they should take the deepest look at.