2023 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers Official Selections and Draft Grades

Who did the Cleveland Cavaliers select in the 2023 NBA Draft?

Entering the 2023 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers' only selection was late in the second round. While it's difficult to find quality NBA players in that range, it's not impossible. Regardless, Cleveland feels like a team that simply needs time to mesh and grow into a legitimate contender. The Cavs are an extremely talented, but young roster. 

How did their 2023 NBA Draft unfold?

Selections

• No. 49: Emoni Bates

Overall Draft Grade

B

Draft Summary

Given the fact that Cleveland came into the night with a sole late second-round pick, it was a successful night. While the Cavs could have given up assets to move up or acquire an additional pick, they stayed patient and ended up with one of the more unknown prospects in the class late in the second. It was only a matter of time before a team was willing to take the swing on the 6-foot-9 scorer out of Eastern Michigan.

While he was once considered a potentially generational talent, Bates had failed to prove he was an impact player on winning that could do more than just score on volume. In Cleveland, he will have every opportunity to prove he's willing to do the little things to help make a playoff push. Especially if he spends time in the G League to develop, Bates has a decent chance of becoming a long-term NBA player. 

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