Heading into the 2024 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers only have one pick at No. 20 overall in the first round. Any other selections Cleveland might've had in the second round have been passed around through trades, and unless the Cavs purchase a pick on the night of the draft, they will only be adding one new face to their roster.
Considering that Cleveland has eleven players under contract heading into next season, having only one draft selection might be a blessing in disguise for a team looking to level up toward becoming championship-worthy. More importantly, having the No. 20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is a golden opportunity to add rotation-worthy talent that can provide an immediate on-court impact, all while still being able to develop into a future piece.
Based on most mock drafts, there's a lot of ebb and flow on who the Cavs can pick at No. 20. However, when the dust settles, here are some names that could be Cleveland's best options with days to go until the 2024 NBA Draft.
Cavs must target Carlton Carrington
Considering that the Cavs are limited asset-wise when it comes to improving their roster, some trades could be coming on the not-so-distant horizon. According to sources, a possible trade candidate is Cleveland swingman Caris LeVert, who will be on an expiring contract worth $16.6 million next season.
That expiring contract could be a valuable trade chip for the Cavs, but Cleveland does have to be mindful when replacing their sixth man. That's where Pittsburgh swingman Carlton “Bub” Carrington, who has a similar game to LeVert, enters the mix.
Carrington is a stellar pull-up shooter and an even more impressive passer who became an improved defender throughout his lone collegiate season. He was productive, averaging 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from 3.
His upside stands out as one of the youngest players in the 2024 NBA Draft who was able to carve out a significant role in the ACC. He showed off his talent as a plus-sized ball handling guard who can shoot off the bounce and pass off a live dribble.
Carrington brings intensity defensively despite his lack of strength and high-end explosiveness. Despite that youth, he processes the game exceptionally well and could have a similar impact to how LeVert did last season.
Johnny Furphy entering Cleveland's radar
During the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, it was clear that the Cavs needed wing depth and perimeter shooting direly. If Cleveland were to take Kansas forward Johnny Furphy, they would have the answer to both problems in a single player.
At his core, Furphy is a skilled shooter with the upside of being a constant presence on the perimeter, even in his rookie season. On top of that, his size at 6-9 and multi-positional versatility operating in different lineup configurations give a player that the Cavs could plug in at either forward position. It also helps that Murphy is a hard-working wing that throws the hammer down whenever possible, making him endearing to fans and a possible spark plug.
The theoretical fit is seamless, as Furphy can slide in between Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen or play opposite Evan Mobley on the wing, adding a much-needed element of athleticism and floor spacing. Still, as talented as the baby-faced Aussie may be, Furphy will need some time before he makes a regular, meaningful contribution to an NBA team with championship aspirations.
Regardless, Cleveland is building out its depth meaningfully by landing young people and developing talent that can be patiently developed, which is a strategy worth taking at No. 20.
Jaylon Tyson goes from California to Cavs
With the Cavs planning on bringing back every member of their core four, finding a player in the 2024 NBA Draft who can support them makes sense. California swingman Jaylon Tyson’s dribble, pass, shoot, and defend game could give Cleveland a complimentary piece that can play off of its star-studded quartet while still selecting a prospect with sneaky upside due to his versatile skill set and massive frame.
The 21-year-old’s biggest strength is his ability to create his own shot, but he has also proven to be a reliable spot-up shooter. More impressively, Tyson is a willing passer and can find teammates as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll. Some of the said passes can fall on the wild side, leading to questions about Tyson's decision-making. However, there is also creativity in his vision that not every 2024 wing possesses, which makes the errant decision-making seem like a solvable issue in the NBA
Overall, Tyson projects as a scoring option off the bench coming into the NBA with secondary playmaking capabilities for second units. Tyson’s game has shades of Kelly Oubre Jr. and Caleb Martin due to his ability to create his own shot from all over the court while possessing the size and length to defend opposing wings.
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