Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster crunch makes using No. 39 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft a ‘50-50 proposition’

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Members of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office were spread across Los Angeles on Tuesday, getting a closer look at numerous 2022 NBA Draft prospects as part of the agency pro day circuit -- Wasserman Media Group, Creative Artists Agency and BDA Sports Management. It was the latest step during a lengthy pre-draft process that will feature plenty more interviews, meetings and workouts.

But Cleveland’s fact-finding journey out west was not simply concentrated on the appealing options with the No. 14 pick -- even though Arizona’s Ben Mathurin, Memphis center Jalen Duren and Duke swingman A.J. Griffin were on hand. Some of the other names on that workout list -- Auburn shot-blocker Walker Kessler, Baylor defensive-minded forward Kendall Brown, Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell and Kansas swingman Christian Braun -- are projected to go in the late first round or possibly drop to the second.

While the lottery pick affords the Cavs a great opportunity to add another young, cost-controlled rotational piece, the front office is also slated to enter draft night with a pair of second-round picks -- Nos. 39 and 56.

Multiple sources tell cleveland.com that the Cavs using the 39th pick -- and that player making the roster -- is a “50-50 proposition.” When it comes to the 56th selection, it’s highly likely a draft-and-stash international prospect -- allowing Cleveland to control the player’s rights but not having him occupy a roster spot because of the team’s current number crunch.

As Cleveland puts together the offseason plan, many factors are being weighed.

Currently, there are 11 players under contract. Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens -- a pair of undrafted, player development success stories -- are on non-guaranteed deals. Wade has a $1.9 million team option, with his contract remaining non-guaranteed if the option is picked up by June 24. If the option is declined (highly unlikely), Wade will become an unrestricted free agent.

Collin Sexton’s cap hold, giving the Cavs matching rights in restricted free agency, would bring the roster to 12. Toss in the figurative placeholder for the No. 14 pick and the Cavs are theoretically looking at two available roster spots. Beyond that, they need to be cognizant of their salary cap situation.

Cleveland has around $127 million committed to this roster. Depending on whether Sexton returns -- and the kind of contract he receives -- the Cavs would be dangerously close to the $149 million luxury tax. If they bring back Sexton and stay below that threshold, the front office will have full access to the $10.3 million midlevel exception, allowing them to acquire a player or two (if they split up the midlevel) in free agency.

Given the current roster breakdown, the Cavs will prioritize a veteran backup point guard (someone to slot into Ricky Rubio’s role last season), frontcourt depth (Jarrett Allen is the only center on the roster even though Evan Mobley showed an ability to slide into that spot down the stretch) and wing upgrades.

Before any other potential activity, let’s assume one of those holes will be filled in free agency. That would bring the roster to 14, leaving one spot (not counting two-way deals) for either the 39th pick or a second free agency acquisition.

Predicting who will be available at 39 on draft night is challenging, especially with this year’s class where one team could have a player with a second-round grade and another team could view the same guy as worthy of lottery consideration. The available names could determine how the Cavs approach the use-it-or-trade-it conundrum.

• Braun -- who helped Kansas win a national championship, reaffirmed his draft commitment and worked out in front of Cavs executives -- is a realistic target. A 6-foot-7 wing who can guard multiple positions, Braun is at his best finishing around the basket or in transition. His jumper is a swing skill.
• Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley, a 6-5 guard, didn’t test well athletically at the combine, leading to questions about whether he could slide.
• Jean Montero -- a 6-3 point guard from Overtime Elite -- is known for his playmaking and shot creation, skills the Cavs certainly need.
• Because of his advanced understanding of pace and three-level scoring ability, Toledo’s Ryan Rollins would get a long look at 39. Sources say general manager Mike Gansey watched the 6-4 Rollins during a scouting combine pro day last week.
• Wake Forest stretch-forward Jake LaRavia’s stock seems to be all over the board, and he backed out of the scrimmage portion of the combine.
• It suddenly seems unlikely that either NC State guard Terquavion Smith or Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens will make it to 39, but the Cavs are fans of both.
• Gonzaga floor general Andrew Nembhard has the college seasoning (22 years old) to possibly step into an immediate backup point guard role as a rookie.
• Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff likes size and length, making Arizona’s defensive-minded jumbo guard Dalen Terry (6-foot-7 with a near 7-foot-1 wingspan) a logical target -- even though questions persist about his outside shot after making 42 3-pointers in 63 games.

Peyton Watson, one of the top recruits coming out of high school in 2021, and Michael Foster Jr., the fourth member of G League Ignite, are others to monitor.

The Cavs will have plenty of options with their initial second-round pick. But with so few available roster spots there’s no guarantee they even make the choice.

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