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NBA draft 2024 projections have Cleveland Cavaliers focusing on frontcourt help
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- NBA draft 2024 projections have Cleveland Cavaliers focusing on frontcourt help
With the NBA draft lottery out of the way, speculation in the form of mock drafts can now run rampant.
This year, it feels as if relying on the experts to discern who is going where in the NBA's talent derby is the wisest move for the average NBA fan.
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After all the college basketball players with the most name recognition — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — won't be toiling on the NBA and Bronny James isn't even projected to go in the first round .
More: Winners and losers of NBA draft lottery: What Hawks' win means for top picks, NBA
What should please Cleveland Cavaliers fans? They actually have a first-round pick this year. That's the good news. The bad: the draft is even more of a crapshoot outside of those lottery picks and a player who can be impactful in his rookie season drafted in the bottom half of the round isn't always a given.
That being said, the Cavs still possess a glaring need at the forward position, one that's remained since LeBron James ' second departure from the organization. In a couple of mock drafts, that need is fulfilled. Here is a roundup of several:
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Ryan Dunn – guard – Virginia
One NBA mock draft have the Cleveland Cavaliers drafting Virginia's Ryan Dunn with their first-round pick at No. 20.
CBS Sports analysis: "The selling point for Dunn is simple: he is one of the best defensive prospects in college basketball," writes Kyle Boone.
Tyler Smith – forward – G League Ignite
ESPN sees the Cleveland Cavaliers drafting Tyler Smith of G-League Ignite.
ESPN analysis: Can be developed into a stretch four, according to, Jeremy Woo, something the team currently doesn't have.
Kyle Filipowski – center – Duke
Mar 31, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) reacts in the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the finals of the South Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at American Airline Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sporting News analysis: "Filipowski's draft stock took a bit of a hit after the sophomore forward struggled to hold his own on defense in the NCAA Tournament. However, he is a talented prospect who has plenty of room to grow. His offensive versatility would be an asset to Cleveland," writes the Sporting News' Kyle Irving.
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Kel'el Ware – center – Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) shoots the ball while Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) defends in the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
USA TODAY analysis: "Solid defender and rebounder and runs the floor well for a 7-footer. Has tendency to disappear in games but is effective on pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops," writes USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt and Scooby Axson.
The consensus, though not on any one player, seems to be the Cavs will look to bolster their frontcourt.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: NBA mock drafts for 2024 have Cavs mostly choosing big man help
