The Cleveland Cavaliers
' offseason has been defined by the pursuit of notable wings and re-signing James Harden
while remaining under the second apron. For the most part, the Cavs' endeavors have been fruitful. Now, with the addition of Khalifa Diop, Cleveland
seems to be shifting its focus toward roster depth.
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto
revealed Cleveland's decision to sign Khalifa Diop to a four-year deal, highlighting more details about his contract by writing:
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"The
Cleveland Cavaliers
signed Khalifa Diop to a four-year, $9.26 million deal, which is fully guaranteed in Year 1 at $1.36 million, sources told HoopsHype. He was the 39th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He spent the past three seasons with Baskonia of Spain's Liga ACB and EuroLeague."
The acquisition of Peyton Watson
strengthened the team's core, effectively upgrading its wing depth. Meanwhile, James Harden's return after leaving more money on the table
showcased his commitment to the Cavaliers. So what purpose does signing Khalifa Diop serve?
For starters, Khalifa Diop is a 6'10" Senegalese center who represented Baskonia in Spain's Liga ACB and the EuroLeague for the last three years. Before his time with Baskonia, Diop also played for Gran Canaria in Spain, where he started with the junior team before eventually making his debut with the main team ahead of the 2018-19 season.
At 24, Khalifa Diop is a young center with notable upside. Regarded by many as a strong big man with a promising motor, he positions himself as a traditional center. While possessing remarkable physical tools, including a 7'2″ wingspan, the 24-year-old has also been recognized for his promising basketball IQ, shot-blocking skill, and ability to pass out of the post.
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Although Diop declared for the NBA draft in 2022 and was even selected with the 39th pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he chose to return to Spain to cultivate his skills. After three years in the Spanish league, Cleveland seems convinced of his development.
In his first year with Baskonia, Khalifa Diop averaged 3.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks per game on 48.4% shooting from the field. In the following season (2024-25), Diop saw a jump in production after earning more minutes, averaging 4.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game on 68.9% shooting from the field.
While this trajectory was promising, by the 2025-26 season, Diop's scoring output took a hit, as he averaged 3.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 63.2% from the field.
Although Diop's scoring figures don't inspire much faith, his improvement as a rebounder and shot-blocker is quite noteworthy. With Cleveland's center rotation limited to Jarrett Allen
and Thomas Bryant
, Diop's addition could serve as a vital backup in the event of an injury.
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Will Khalifa Diop Be A Rotational Piece For The Cavaliers?
At 24, Khalifa Diop is a promising young talent. Given that he was signed to a relatively team-friendly contract, the big man's addition is certainly meaningful. Realistically, however, he may not receive much playing time on this squad.
From a role perspective, Khalifa Diop may still get the nod ahead of Thomas Bryant
in some situations. Since both are effectively backups to Jarrett Allen
, the need for a reliable defensive anchor may earn Diop an opportunity to showcase his skills. However, if the demands are on offense, the Cavaliers may find themselves relying on Bryant's experience and familiarity with the system.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a noteworthy playoff run that ended in disappointment in the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, as contenders, the Cavaliers will enter the 2026-27 season with greater motivation to turn things around.
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For the most part, the onus of leading this team to the promised land will lie with the superstar duo of Donovan Mitchell
and James Harden
. However, with the core consisting of star-caliber players like Evan Mobley
, Jarrett Allen, and more recently, Peyton Watson
, Cleveland is formidable
.
Overall, Diop's addition can be worthwhile for the Cavaliers. With the added flexibility in the big man rotation, Cleveland can afford to rest Allen and Mobley more often to preserve their health. Needless to say, if the Cavaliers' frontcourt duo can stay healthy next season, the Cavs will be a force to be reckoned with.
