Cleveland Sports Forum

Thanks I'll pass this is on to my son the Cavs Fan

Here is an ESPN Plus subscriber mock for you guys and Civ's son, who obviously has good taste in teams.

-

NBA mock draft: What will the lottery winners do now?

Jonathan Givony ESPN

The 2019 NBA draft lottery is in the books, and the Pelicans are the big winners.

The Grizzlies, Knicks and Lakers make up the rest of the top four.

Now that we have the order, here are our first projections for all 60 picks. We will continue to update this mock draft with the latest intel.

Unlike our top-100 rankings, this mock attempts to project which players will end up staying in the draft.

1. New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson
Duke
Age: 18.7
F

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 272

Williamson emerged as both the best player in college basketball and the best long-term prospect in this draft class the moment he stepped onto the court for Duke, making him the easy choice as the No. 1 pick. We've never seen a prospect quite like him in terms of his combination of productivity, athleticism, competitiveness, skill and feel for the game -- not to mention the sheer star power he'll bring.

New Orleans got an incredible boost by landing Williamson and can now proceed with trade talks for Anthony Davis armed with significantly more leverage than it had Monday.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant
Murray State
Age: 19.6
G

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 170

Morant's emergence from no-name high school recruit to NCAA tournament darling was one of the better stories of the college basketball season. He's one of the best athletes in this draft. He's a highly creative and ambidextrous passer who should fit into the NBA game seamlessly with his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls and make plays in the open floor. He's a better shooter than he gets credit for, though his casual approach to defense and decision-making sometimes work against him.

Morant isn't an ideal fit for Memphis on first glance with Mike Conley under contract, which means the Grizzlies will also take a long look at RJ Barrett. But the Murray State product gets the nod for now as he appears to be ahead of Barrett on most NBA boards.

Trading Conley won't prove too difficult considering his productivity, leaving Memphis in an ideal situation to make the best decision for the future of the franchise.

3. New York Knicks

RJ Barrett
Duke
Age: 18.8
G/F

Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 208

Barrett broke Duke and ACC freshman scoring records while being named a consensus first-team All-American, even if he was lost in the shadow of Williamson at times. Barrett emerged as Duke's full-time playmaker as the season moved on, showing impressive passing ability operating out of pick-and-rolls, something that will serve him well in the NBA once he's surrounded by better shooters. He was inconsistent from the perimeter, he demonstrated questionable decision-making and shot selection at times, and he wasn't the defender his physical tools suggest he should have been at the college level.

The presumptive No. 1 pick going into the season, Barrett will get some looks at No. 2 and won't fall any further than this. Barrett is one of the few players in this draft who can handle the spotlight of Madison Square Garden and he is actually a very good fit for the Knicks roster. He'll be able to shoulder significant ballhandling duties if they decide to continue to rebuild slowly through the draft, but he could also play with a star free agent.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Garland
Vanderbilt
Age: 19.2
G

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 173

Garland's freshman season ended abruptly due to a knee injury just five games in, leaving a cloud of mystery regarding exactly what to expect from him as an NBA rookie. Nevertheless, there's a lot to like about his ability to operate at different speeds, handle the ball on a string and make pull-up jumpers from difficult vantage points. The lack of star power overall and general depth at the point guard position gradually pushed Garland up the lottery as executives expressed disenchantment with the alternatives.

Garland's slender frame, negative assist-to-turnover ratio and lack of experience at the college level are things he'll have to address during the pre-draft process, but he's a natural option here.

Garland is a strong fit alongside Lonzo Ball and LeBron James. The Lakers need more shot creation and shot-making on their roster, and Garland is a good fit here. The fact that he shares the same agent as James probably won't hurt.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

De'Andre Hunter
Virginia
Age: 21.3
F

Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 222

Hunter had one of the best national championship performances in recent memory, dropping 27 points and nine rebounds while converting 4 of 5 3-pointers, including some clutch shots late. He had already established himself as one of the best defenders in the college game. He brings positional versatility with long arms, elite lateral quickness and outstanding instincts. While he has some clear limitations offensively as a shot creator and likely isn't the 3-point shooter his college numbers suggest, his game is made for the modern NBA, and there's a comfort level in his high floor.

The Cavs are in search of character and culture to add to their roster as they continue to slowly rebuild through the draft following the LeBron James era. While not loaded with upside, Hunter fits a positional need.

6. Phoenix Suns

Jarrett Culver
Texas Tech
Age: 20.1
G

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 195

Culver helped Texas Tech overachieve significantly in reaching the national championship game. Although he struggled at times in the NCAA tournament, there is quite a bit to like about what he brings on both ends of the floor. Culver has the versatility to slide among any of the backcourt spots, and he's an active defender and rebounder. He displayed impressive shot-making and shot-creation prowess en route to winning Big 12 player of the year.

A slow release on his jump shot and average explosiveness beating defenders off the dribble are things he'll have to address in the pre-draft process, but he has as high a floor as any prospect and plenty of room to grow, considering his youth and late-blooming trajectory.

Culver is an interesting fit with Devin Booker, who has turned into a primary ball handler in Phoenix but can also play off the ball thanks to his tremendous perimeter shooting ability. While Suns fans might be clamoring for more of a traditional PG, Culver's NBA future is likely playing on the ball as a combo guard operating off a player in Booker's mold.
7. Chicago Bulls

Coby White
North Carolina
Age: 19.1
G

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 191

White was somewhat of an afterthought in recruiting circles among guard prospects in this class, but he was able to take advantage of the green light he received in Roy Williams' system and his seemingly unlimited confidence to jump into the lottery. His impressive size, open-court quickness and shot-making ability make him an ideal fit in the modern NBA game, and he should make strides as a passer and defender as he continues to gain strength and experience.

White falls into an ideal situation in Chicago, where he can get significant reps as a primary ballhandler on a team that really struggled at the point guard position the past few seasons. His perimeter shooting ability gives him the flexibility to play alongside the likes of Kris Dunn or Zach LaVine as the Bulls figure out exactly how their backcourt should shape up long term.
8. Atlanta Hawks

Cam Reddish
Duke
Age: 19.6
F

Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 205

Reddish is one of the biggest enigmas of this draft class, as he rarely produced up to his talent level as a freshman and mysteriously missed an NCAA tournament game. Still, his combination of size, length, fluidity and perimeter shooting ability is highly intriguing in a draft that is lacking deep star power.

In Atlanta, Reddish would find an ideal situation where he wouldn't be asked to carry too heavy of a scoring load immediately alongside Trae Young and the rest of Atlanta's promising young core -- yet he would still being able to contribute significantly with his perimeter shooting, passing and defensive versatility.
9. Washington Wizards

Sekou Doumbouya
Limoges
Age: 18.2
F

Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 210

Doumbouya rebounded from a slow start and has been very productive in Pro A France since returning from a hand injury. He has outstanding physical tools for a modern-day NBA forward, particularly defensively, where he shows significant potential, and he has a projectable skill level offensively.

The Wizards likely are about to begin a long rebuilding process and can afford to be patient with Doumbouya while giving him significant offensive reps that should expedite his development.
10. Atlanta Hawks (via Mavericks)

Jaxson Hayes
Texas
Age: 18.8
C

Height: 7-foot | Weight: 220

Hayes came into the season as a complete unknown after hitting a significant growth spurt in high school and registering little productivity prior to college. He proved to be a high-end NBA prospect early on, thanks to his phenomenal physical tools, mobility and instincts on both ends of the floor, cementing himself as the top center prospect in the draft.

Hayes' lack of experience, relatively raw offensive game and still developing feel will likely relegate him to project status for most NBA teams, but that shouldn't be too much of a deterrent at this point in the draft.

The Hawks have been developing John Collins at both big spots; Hayes could fit well there and become an ideal pick-and-roll partner for Trae Young.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves

Brandon Clarke
Gonzaga
Age: 22.5
F

Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 210

Clarke's versatility as a rim-protecting and pick-and-roll-switching lob-catcher is intriguing here. He will turn 23 prior to his first NBA game and should be ready to step in and help right away.

While the Wolves might be tempted to reach for a point guard here, they could also use a versatile big man like Clarke to pair alongside Karl-Anthony Towns. Clarke's defensive versatility, pick-and-roll finishing prowess and budding shooting ability make him a strong match for the existing pieces on the roster.
12. Charlotte Hornets

PJ Washington
Kentucky
Age: 20.6
F

Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 223

Washington has the length to defend multiple positions on the interior, he can stretch the floor from the perimeter, and he brings plenty of long-term upside.

His toughness and versatility will fit well on any team.
13. Miami Heat

Bol Bol
Oregon
Age: 19.3
C

Height: 7-foot-2 | Weight: 222

Bol brings much-needed 3-point shooting and rim protection. He's a top-five talent in this draft, finding himself this low due to a season-ending foot injury, which is certainly a concern.

Miami has a clogged salary sheet and very little star power to show for it, making this an important draft. A rebuild might be around the corner, considering this aging roster and the limited options for improvement in the short term. With that in mind, positional fit might not be as important as sheer talent and upside, which could cause the team to look at a younger prospect like Bol, who wasn't able to show the full extent of their abilities during the season.

Bol might not be an ideal fit with this team's culture, considering the questions about his approach to the game, but there is little doubt that his talent looked worthy of a much higher selection than the late lottery before he broke his foot in December.
14. Boston Celtics (via Kings)

Kevin Porter Jr.
USC
Age: 18.9
G

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 217

Porter will start getting looks as high as the middle of the lottery, but he has some questions to answer during the pre-draft process about his approach to the game.

At this stage of the draft, the rewards likely outweigh the risks, as Porter can become another creator on the perimeter who can shoulder some scoring load. Porter has the size and versatility to slot into a variety of lineup configurations.

Kyrie Irving's July free agency and the Anthony Davis trade talks will play a role in what the Celtics do with their picks. But a player like Porter could provide some insurance in the backcourt in case Boston loses Irving and restricted free agent Terry Rozier.
15. Detroit Pistons

Romeo Langford
Indiana
Age: 19.4
F

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 202

Langford will be one of the players under consideration for any teams in this range with needs on the wing.

The Indiana freshman played most of the season with a torn ligament in his shooting hand, but he displayed impressive glimpses of potential as a shot creator operating out of the pick-and-roll.

The Pistons have precious little ballhandling on their roster and could certainly roll the dice on a player with Langford's talent.
16. Orlando Magic

Tyler Herro
Kentucky
Age: 19.2
G

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 193

Herro has been climbing draft boards and could continue that climb during the pre-draft process.

Adding a combo guard such as Herro -- who can play pick-and-roll, make shots while set or on the move and bring competitiveness and feel -- makes a lot of sense here.
17. Brooklyn Nets

Nassir Little
North Carolina
Age: 19.1
F

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 215

Little's toughness, athleticism and long-term potential will be attractive to an organization that prides itself on character and work ethic. The team has done a phenomenal job with player development, which would bode well for Little.

The former top-five recruit saw his stock drop after an inconsistent freshman season, but he could work his way back in the lottery with a strong pre-draft process.
18. Indiana Pacers

Rui Hachimura
Gonzaga
Age: 21.1
F

Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 234

A huge chunk of Indiana's rotation is entering free agency this summer, which means the front office probably will go with the best player available, regardless of position.

Hachimura is blessed with outstanding physical tools and impressive athletic ability. He brings the type of character and work ethic the franchise typically values. His ability to play both small forward and power forward in different lineup configurations should be appealing to the franchise.
19. San Antonio Spurs

Talen Horton-Tucker
Iowa State
Age: 18.3
F

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 239

Horton-Tucker is the youngest college player in the first round, and he has intriguing versatility, thanks to his unique build, exceptionally long wingspan and budding ability to shoot off the dribble. The Spurs can afford to be patient with him.

Horton-Tucker's ability to slide between the shooting guard and power forward positions could be attractive considering the players San Antonio already has under contract.
20. Boston Celtics (via Clippers)

Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Virginia Tech
Age: 20.6
G

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 200

The Celtics are loaded at the guard spots, but with both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier entering free agency, finding a strong backup in the draft would be wise.

Alexander-Walker is coming off an outstanding sophomore season, making significant strides on both ends of the floor. He has the perimeter shooting ability, length, feel and versatility Boston typically covets.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder

Cameron Johnson
North Carolina
Age: 23.1
F

Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 210

The Thunder were the worst 3-point-shooting team to make the playoffs, and they are perpetually searching for versatile wings and combo forwards.

Johnson was one of the best shooters in college basketball. He also has excellent size and high basketball IQ. As one of the oldest players projected to be drafted, he will be ready to contribute right away.
22. Boston Celtics

Keldon Johnson
Kentucky
Age: 19.4
F

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 210

Danny Ainge has long valued toughness, versatility and 3-point shooting -- all strengths for Johnson.

Although his struggles creating offense off the dribble caused his stock to fall somewhat, Johnson won't need to be much of a ball handler on a team with this much star power.
23. Utah Jazz

Grant Williams
Tennessee
Age: 20.3
F

Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 241

If the Jazz are considering moving on from Derrick Favors in free agency, finding a long-term replacement at his position in the draft would help.

Williams possesses the type of feel, toughness and character important to the Jazz organization. He has some untapped upside as a perimeter shooter, which Utah's strong player-development staff likely can uncover.
24. Philadelphia 76ers

Matisse Thybulle
Washington
Age: 22.1
F

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 201

The Sixers are flush with creators and scoring at every position, but they could stand to add some defensive versatility on the wing. A player such as Thybulle, arguably the best perimeter defender in college basketball, could fit well, especially since he's a willing ball mover who will have no issue deferring to the team's plethora of stars.

Add the fact that he's a senior -- and thus more in line with the Sixers' timetable -- and he makes a lot of sense.
25. Portland Trail Blazers

Luguentz Dort
Arizona State
Age: 19.9
G

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 224

The Blazers don't have a great deal of backcourt depth and will see two of their main rotation options hit free agency this summer in Seth Curry and Rodney Hood.

Dort's impressive physical tools, defensive versatility and willingness to do the little things could be attractive in lineups that stagger CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Rockets)

Goga Bitadze
Buducnost
Age: 19.7
C

Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 251

The Cavs could be looking to shore up their center position long term. Bitadze has been extremely productive at the highest levels of competition outside the NBA, considering his age.

His excellent skill level offensively -- including his budding ability to stretch the floor -- is attractive, given his combination of size and reach.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Nuggets)

Mfiondu Kabengele
Florida State
Age: 21.6
C

Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 235

The Nets have their starting center of the future in place in Jarrett Allen, but they might look to add another frontcourt piece to the roster with a player who can play either big spot and has the ability to stretch the floor.

Kabengele made huge strides in his sophomore season, and he's on an impressive trajectory considering his late-bloomer status.
28. Golden State Warriors

Carsen Edwards
Purdue
Age: 21.0
G

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 196

The Warriors will need to be creative in adding young, cheap players to their somewhat shallow rotation, considering their luxury-tax situation.

Edwards' shooting range, ability to play on or off the ball and readiness as one of the top scorers in college basketball make him a strong candidate.
29. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)

KZ Okpala
Stanford
Age: 19.9
F

Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 210

The Spurs don't have a great deal of depth at the forward spots, and they can afford to roll the dice a bit this late in the draft on an upside-laden player in need of development.

Okpala had a late start to basketball, and he's raw in terms of his strength and understanding of the game. However, his physical tools are impressive, and the flashes he has shown as a slasher, defender and perimeter shooter make him worth a long-term investment.
30. Milwaukee Bucks

Ty Jerome
Virginia
Age: 21.7
G

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 200

The Bucks' backcourt rotation has been tested in a serious way with a series of late-season injuries, which could prompt the team to add some depth at the guard spots.

Jerome had a phenomenal junior season culminating in a national championship. His tremendous feel, perimeter shooting ability and competitiveness stand out at this point in the draft.
Second round

31. Nets (via NYK)

Dylan Windler | SF | Age: 22.5 | Belmont

32. Suns

Eric Paschall | PF | Age: 22.4 | Villanova

33. 76ers (via CLE)

Admiral Schofield | SF/PF | Age: 22.0 | Tennessee

34. 76ers (via CHI)

Bruno Fernando | C | Age: 20.6 | Maryland

35. Hawks

Louis King | SF/PF | Age: 20.0 | Oregon

36. Hornets (via WAS)

Daniel Gafford | C | Age: 20.5 | Arkansas

37. Mavericks

Isaiah Roby | PF | Age: 21.1 | Nebraska

38. Bulls (via MEM)

Jalen McDaniels | SF/PF | Age: 21.1 | San Diego State

39. Pelicans

Luka Samanic | PF | Age: 19.2 | Olimpija Ljubljana

40. Kings (via MIN)

Ignas Brazdeikis | PF | Age: 20.2 | Michigan

41. Hawks (via LAL)

Nic Claxton | C | Age: 19.9 | Georgia

42. 76ers (via SAC)

Chuma Okeke | SF/PF | Age: 20.6 | Auburn

43. Wolves (via MIA)

Jontay Porter | C | Age: 19.4 | Missouri

44. Hawks (via CHA)

Darius Bazley | SF/PF | Age: 18.8 | N/A

45. Pistons

Dedric Lawson | PF | Age: 21.5 | Kansas

46. Magic (via BKN)

Joshua Obiesie | PG/SG | Age: 18.8 | Wuerzburg

47. Kings (via ORL)

Deividas Sirvydis | SF | Age: 18.8 | Lietuvos Rytas

48. Clippers

Tremont Waters | PG | Age: 21.2 | LSU

49. Spurs

Naz Reid | PF/C | Age: 19.6 | LSU

50. Pacers

Shamorie Ponds | PG | Age: 20.7 | St. John's

51. Celtics

Jaylen Hoard | PF | Age: 20.0 | Wake Forest

52. Hornets (via OKC)

Charles Bassey | C | Age: 18.4 | Western Kentucky

53. Jazz

Justin Robinson | PG | Age: 21.5 | Virginia Tech

54. 76ers

Miye Oni | SF | Age: 21.7 | Yale

55. Knicks (via HOU)

DaQuan Jeffries | SG | Age: 21.6 | Tulsa

56. Clippers (via POR)

Brian Bowen | SF | Age: 20.6 | Sydney

57. Pelicans (via DEN)

Zylan Cheatham | PF | Age: 23.4 | Arizona State

58. Warriors

Alen Smailagic | PF/C | Age: 18.7 | Santa Cruz

59. Raptors

Quinndary Weatherspoon | SG | Age: 22.6 | Mississippi St.

60. Kings (via MIL)

Justin Wright-Foreman | PG | Age: 21.4 | Hofstra

Quickie from Bleacher Report:

Hunter to Lakers with LeBron there? Not sure about that. I think he will be on board for us.

Chris Fedor is on STO right now talking Cavs and draft. He just said Garland, the guard from Vanderbilt who tore his MCL and only played 4 or 5 games this year, pulled out of combine and isn't meeting or working out for teams. That is leading people to believe he has a promise from the Lakers at 4.

Keep an eye on the Miami pick at #13 and all Boston first round picks for the JR Smith trade.

Wow, I had forgotten David Griffin signed on to be the GM of the Pelicans.

Very happy for him he got that #1. Incredibly class act.

Talk about a rebuild - he also gets to trade Anthony Davis for the top package which will likely include another high first rounder in addition to very good veteran player(s).

Throw out a trade. Kent Bazemore of the Hawks and the #8 pick for JR Smith.

Atlanta enters the draft with five picks (No. 8, 10, 35, 41 and 44) and as general manager Travis Schlenk noted the Hawks “probably don’t want to add five rookies to this team.”

Is JR Smith that valuable a trade piece?

His expiring contract is very valuable!

-

https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l- ... chris.html

Do you have a Cavs question that you'd like answered in Hey, Chris? Submit it here or tweet @ChrisFedor.

Hey, Chris! What type of deal will the #Cavs use JR’s contract for? Taking on a big risk/big upside like Hayward? Bad contract and mid-1st round pick?
— joe bader (@jaderobe) April 4, 2019

Can you explain J.R Smith's contract for next year and the guaranteed money? Would the Cavs be able to acquire another first round draft pick from a team looking to clear cap space?
— Nicholas Mallas (@BuckeyeNick7) April 3, 2019

Hey, guys: The JR Smith contract is the most valuable trade chip the Cavs possess. It’s also one of the better ones around the NBA. And it’s the only contract of its kind. That’s probably why The Ringer’s Bill Simmons called it the “secret weapon of July free agency” on a recent podcast.

It can be complicated and I’ve asked numerous sources to explain it to me in an understandable way. So let me do my best.

Smith’s deal was signed in 2016, under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement. That was before the CBA changed the rules regarding how partially guaranteed contracts are handled in trades, especially when it comes to salary-matching purposes. Even though the CBA has changed, Smith’s contract was grandfathered in, which allows the Cavs to take back a high-priced salary (more than $15 million) while the other team is only on the hook for $3.8 million. Other deals signed after 2016 would only work for the guaranteed amount on the contract when it comes to matching salaries -- not nearly as appealing in trades.

If the mercurial shooting guard, who has been exiled from Cleveland since November, gets waived by the end of June, a team could either leave the $3.8 million on its cap for the 2019-20 season or stretch it, spreading the guaranteed money across three years at a rate of $1.29 million. Either way, it’s no longer a contract that’s detrimental. Quite the opposite. His contract has plenty of appeal to cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary in the final days before free agency.

Executive Brock Aller has been tasked with compiling a list of teams that make sense for a Smith deal. He had pegged the New York Knicks prior to their salary-dump move with Dallas involving Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee. But there are still plenty of others.

Let’s say hypothetically the Miami Heat want to be involved in 2019 free agency. As of now, the Heat salary cap for the 2019-20 season is around $137 million -- if Goran Dragic exercises his $19.2 million player option.

For starters, the Heat could offer James Johnson, who is set to make $15.1 million next season and has a player option for $15.7 million the following year, along with a future first-round pick as a sweetener. This way, the Cavs get another draft pick, which they continue to seek for their lengthy rebuild. Miami gets financial flexibility, which it doesn’t currently have. If not Johnson specifically, Ryan Anderson’s lucrative deal fits the same parameters.

Charlotte is another team that fits. In an effort to re-sign Kemba Walker and give him more of a win-now supporting cast, the Hornets could send Bismack Biyombo and the $17 million he will be owed in 2019-20, along with either a first-round pick or one of their ascending youngsters (Miles Bridges? Malik Monk? Devonte Graham?) for Smith. That type of deal would allow Charlotte to shed a bunch of salary.

Maybe Washington’s new general manager is desperate to move Ian Mahinmi’s gross $16 million on the books for next season.

Perhaps the Celtics have buyer’s remorse with Gordon Hayward, allowing the Cavs to revive Hayward as a high-priced All-Star while the Celtics go hunting for a different second option alongside Kyrie Irving. Or Boston wants to reset its books if Irving bolts in free agency. As it stands, the Celtics are entering next season with a little more than $100 million in payroll -- provided Al Horford and Aron Baynes opt-in to their deals.

Of course, this hypothetical Boston-Cleveland swap would have to be a bigger move, probably involving the expiring deals of John Henson or Jordan Clarkson.

Think about the Cavs’ three-way trade with Houston and Sacramento a few months back. The Rockets wanted so badly to move off Brandon Knight’s bulky deal that they included a 2019 first-round pick as incentive for what amounted to an expiring contract.

Two years ago, the frantic Lakers shipped D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn in a salary dump involving Timofey Mozgov. It gave the Lakers room to pursue LeBron James in 2018 free agency. The Nets got Russell, the 2015 second-overall pick, for taking on Mozgov's horrendous contract.

Cleveland is in the same position Brooklyn once was -- ready to eat bad contracts for young talent and/or draft picks. Chairman Dan Gilbert gave the front office freedom to take on bad money already this season (Knight, Matthew Dellavedova and Henson) and there's no reason to think he wouldn't do it again.

Chris, do the Cavs have an internal goal to be one of the 10 worst teams again next season so they don't lose their 1st round draft pick to Atlanta? What would happen if they did lose that draft pick?
— JP (@Screamwave216) April 3, 2019

Hey, @Screamwave216: It's not an internal goal. But if you’ve paid attention to the moves over the last year, they all point to this rebuild plan lasting more than just one season.

Competing next year wouldn’t be a shock. But it would require Collin Sexton taking another huge leap in Year Two, Kevin Love staying healthy for a majority of the season, getting the right coach to develop the young core and the guys added with two picks in the first round growing up quickly.

It’s more realistic to think that the 2020-21 season, when Cleveland’s salary clears up and allows it to be more active in free agency, will be the next chance to be competitive.

Is Bol Bol worth trying to move up from The Rockets pick for?
— AJ DiCosimo (@AJDiCosimo) April 3, 2019

Hey, @AJDiCosimo: Having two picks in Round 1 certainly gives Cleveland options. One of those is moving up higher for a player who begins to fall for any number of reasons. The Cavs could also trade back and snag a pair of second-rounders. It’s good to have flexibility.

I get the sense that the Cavs have serious concerns about Bol’s ability to stay healthy. He’s never once finished a full season. On the other side, Bol is a likely lottery pick without the foot injury. He possesses a unique skill set and would give the Cavs some much-needed size inside, with the potential to blossom into an elite rim protector.

If the Cavs are going to gamble, they will be more likely to do it on an injury risk than a player with character questions.

Chris I don’t believe in Colin a PG that can’t make his team better doesn’t work in the NBA in the 2019; what’s the chances the Cavs trade him this season?
— Boogie Luciano (@killuminati216) April 3, 2019

Hey, @killuminati216: I think too many people are getting caught up in labels these days. Who cares if Sexton isn’t a true point guard? What’s that mean anyway?

Yes, the Cavs -- and his teammates -- want Sexton to boost his assist numbers. Those close to Sexton have made that a primary objective while mapping out his summer plan. But let’s not say a 20-year-old player who has shown massive improvement in other once-weak parts of his game can’t improve as a passer. I mean, he’s already further along as a shooter than the Cavs anticipated at this point of his career.

Sexton is never going to be a seven- or eight-assist player. That’s not who he is. That’s not why the Cavs drafted him. He’s a score-first guard. And a very good one, ranking third among rookies in scoring and setting franchise -- and first-year -- marks.

His scoring has put the Cavs in position to win a handful of games late in the season and now has a strong case to be part of the All-Rookie First Team. He was one of the few rookies that continued on an upward trajectory all season. Let's focus on what he's done rather than what he hasn't -- or can't in the future.

How high are the Cavs on Alex Jensen ? I prefer his style to that if Jodi Fernandez.
Also, do you wonder if the Cavs are being closed minded to those outside of guys they know in the G League and coached for them? It sounds like it to me .

No favorites should be allowed
— Hiram Boyd (@hiramboyd) April 3, 2019

Hey, @hiramboyd: As I’ve written a few times, the Cavs will conduct an expansive search, looking for their next coach from three main categories: Retreads (sorry, can’t think of a better term), college coaches (unlikely) and up-and-coming assistants.

Head coaching experience isn’t a prerequisite. Neither is once being part of the Cleveland organization.

Jensen will be on the list. He comes from a winning organization in Utah, one that the Cavs have a healthy respect for and also has prior head coaching experience with the Canton Charge. His appeal is not entirely about that. It’s not just that Jensen and Jordi Fernandez, who you mentioned, were previously with the organization. It’s more about the experience edge those two have after running a basketball team day-to-day in the G League, similar to what would be asked as head coaches.

Adrian Griffin has never been with the Cavaliers. He’s spent time in Milwaukee, Chicago, Orlando, Oklahoma City and now Toronto. Despite his lack of a local tie, he’s a guy the Cavs interviewed in the past and will likely be on their list again.

Before you get too caught up in the idea of favoring guys with connections, remember this: Hawks GM Travis Schlenk, once a member of the Golden State front office, chose one-time Warriors assistant Lloyd Pierce. That looks like a grand slam.

Adrian Wakranowski
Cleveland has hired JB Bickerstaff as associate head coach, league sources tell ESPN. Bickerstaff was a target of several teams, but Cavs were determined to pair him with John Beilein and made him one of league’s top paid assistants.

On an NBA note, very happy for the city of Toronto (indeed the whole country of Canada, it's their team too) for the way this all worked out. Management takes that leap of faith in Kawhi Leonard and wow did that work out.

They are built on defense so hopefully they can use that against the loaded Warriors.

Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert recovering after stroke symptoms
Tom Withers | The Associated Press

May 26, 2019 11:08 PM ET


Dan Gilbert went to a hospital early Sunday and is recovering comfortably.

DETROIT (AP) -- Cavaliers owner and billionaire businessman Dan Gilbert is recovering after suffering symptoms of a stroke and seeking hospital care.

Officials with Detroit-based Quicken Loans said in a statement that Gilbert "received immediate medical attention and is currently recovering comfortably" after going to a Detroit-area hospital early Sunday with "stroke-like symptoms." Gilbert is the company's founder and chairman.

No other details were provided on Gilbert's condition, a diagnosis or prognosis. The company said Gilbert's family requests privacy at this time.

The Brooklyn Nets are trading guard Allen Crabbe and his $18.5 million contract to the Atlanta Hawks, clearing the salary-cap space to pursue two maximum free-agent contracts this summer, league sources told ESPN.

The Nets are sending Crabbe, the No. 17 pick in the 2019 NBA draft and a 2020 lottery-protected first-round pick to the Hawks for forward Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-round pick, league sources said. The deal can't be finalized until July 6.

The above trade could lead to the Cavs trading #5, #26 and JR Smith to Atlanta for Crabbe, 8, 10 and 17.