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Cleveland Cavaliers Should Consider This Forward With Draft Pick
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- Cleveland Cavaliers Should Consider This Forward With Draft Pick
As the 2026 NBA Draft gets closer and closer, it's becoming increasingly clearer what the Cleveland Cavaliers need with the No. 29 overall pick, and what players might be available when they're on the clock.
One player that the Cavaliers should seriously consider taking with their sole first-round pick, if he's available, is UConn Huskies forward, Tarris Reed Jr.
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First, Cleveland needs to address its front-court depth this offseason.
Whether it's through free agency, trade, or in the draft, Cleveland needs someone to back up Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen , especially considering players missed time with injury last season. That's why someone like Reed, or his Big East counterpart Zuby Ejofor, would make a ton of sense for the Wine and Gold.
Reed was listed as a forward with the Huskies, but standing at six-foot-ten and 260 pounds, he is more than capable of playing center in a small-ball centric lineup.
Offensively, Reed certainly has some clear strengths and weaknesses with what he can do on that end of the floor.
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The forward was elite around the rim and led the Big East with a field goal percentage of 60 percent on 9.9 attempts a game. However, Reed doesn't offer any floor spacing and attempted only seven three-pointers over his four-year collegiate career; he made one.
Feb 25, 2026; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after a basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the second half at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Something that should really interest the Cavaliers in Reed's game is his defense. The forward is a phenomenal, physical, and versatile defender.
If Cleveland does end up losing Dean Wade in free agency, Reed will fill an immediate need on the Cavaliers roster and could end up with a role in the rotation during his rookie season.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson also stressed the importance of his team rebounding to create more possessions. Reed would help with that, too. He averaged 9.0 rebounds during his senior season and led the conference in total rebounding percentage.
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Even though Reed never won a National Championship, he still knows what it takes to play at the incredibly high level expected of NBA players. He spent two years playing for infamous head coach Dan Hurley, who has helped develop other successful current players, such as Stephon Castle , Donovan Clingan , and Cam Spencer , just to name a few.
What the Cavaliers end up doing with their No. 29 overall pick might simply come down to who is on the board when Cleveland is on the clock. If Reed is available, he'd be a very interesting fit with the Wine and Gold's roster.
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