Report: Cavs eyeing Zach Edey and others with No. 20 pick in 2024 NBA Draft

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly are eyeing a plethora of prospects in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, including Baylor University’s Ja’Kobe Walter and star big man Zach Edey (Purdue University).

“Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, Purdue center Zach Edey, [University of] Colorado forward Tristan Da Silva, [University of] Kansas swingman Johnny Furphy, Duke’s [University] Kyle Filipowski, USC (University of Southern California) guard Isaiah Collier, [University of] Pittsburgh’s Carlton Carrington, Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, [University of] Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., [University of] Virginia’s Ryan Dunn, [University of] California guard Jaylon Tyson, still-recovering-from-injury Kevin McCullar Jr., [University of] Arizona’s Pelle Larsson and Baylor center Yves Missi are all on the radar,” Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor wrote. “According to sources, Larsson, Ellis and Tyson are among those committed to visit.”

The Cavs hold the No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and there are a lot of ways that they could use the pick to improve the roster.

However, the Cavs’ decision on what player to draft could come down to multiple factors. First off, there’s a chance that some of the players may not be around for Cleveland at No. 20, but it’s smart of the team to cast a wide net to hopefully have at least one player it likes on the board when its pick rolls around.

“Some of those prospects on the No. 20 target list will be off the board by the time Cleveland is set to choose,” Fedor wrote. “Sources say a few have already declined in-person visits, believing they will be drafted earlier or the roster is already too deep at a specific position, making the workout a waste of time — a phenomenon happening more frequently given the agent’s involvement in the process.”

In addition, the Cavs’ draft strategy could change depending upon Donovan Mitchell’s status with the franchise. Mitchell is eligible to sign an extension with Cleveland, but if the Cavs believe that isn’t going to happen, it could alter which position they target in the first round.

Edey is an interesting player to be on the Cavs’ draft radar, as he was dominant during his collegiate career, averaging 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season.

He’d immediately become one of the tallest players in the NBA if drafted, but it’s unclear how the Cavs would use him if they keep both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the roster entering next season.

Ultimately, the Cavs are hoping to draft an impact player with the No. 20 pick, especially if they keep their current core of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Allen and Mobley together for the 2024-25 season.

Cleveland could use more wing shooters and defenders, especially since former first-round pick Isaac Okoro is a restricted free agent this offseason.

After making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Cavs are looking for a missing piece or two that could vault them into an Eastern Conference Finals appearance or beyond next season.