While the Cleveland Cavaliers are gearing up for the playoffs in April, the Cavs front office will likewise be gearing up for the upcoming NBA Draft in June. The Cavs are well stocked at almost every position, but there are still some needs that will need to be addressed this off-season.
In terms of pressing needs, General Manager David Griffin will likely look to upgrade the backup point guard position, as well as add more front-court depth. In terms of talent in the upcoming draft, the Cavs have a much better chance of adding an impact big man, so here are three prospects the Cavs should keep in mind on draft night.
1. Jakob Poeltl 7’0″ – 235 Pounds – University of Utah
You shouldn’t expect Poeltl to be available where the Cavs will be picking, especially if Utah makes a run in the tournament. If he does fall however, the Cavs front office would be jumping for joy with a chance to draft the young Austrian.
Poeltl’s defensive potential is incredible. He’s an absolute giant and moves extremely well for a seven footer. His body is still very lean at this point, and he could really benefit from some extra muscle mass, but he moves very fluidly on the court and covers ground laterally extremely well for a big guy. He would be an ideal fit behind Timofey Mozgov.
Poeltl’s offensive game is extremely limited at this point. He plays “small” when he gets the ball on the block, often struggling to finish over imposing defenders. He’s definitely a work in progress on the offensive end, but if you’re drafting Poeltl, you’re not overly concerned with his offensive potential.
He might decide to stay at Utah for one more year, but if he does decide to throw his hat in the ring, the Cavs should definitely take a look.
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