Cavaliers: No first-round pick, salary-cap issues make an exciting draft day a long shot

There's little buzz in Cleveland regarding the NBA Draft which begins tonight and continues Thursday and fans had better get used to the feeling. The Cavaliers don't have a first-round pick and are unlikely to trade for one due to salary-cap restrictions. In fact, Cleveland doesn't own their own first-round selection until 2028, and even then the Utah Jazz have the option to swap their first-round pick with the Cavs. The Cavs sent Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji to the Jazz, along with three first-round picks and the option to swap two first-round picks with Utah, for All-NBA shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022. They hoped that megadeal would propel them to new heights in the playoffs, but they've failed to get out of the second round with Mitchell on the roster. Now, even though they have a talented roster, it's going to be difficult to make many changes. They're going to be hard-pressed to fortify the roster with young talent in the draft for the foreseeable future. Their original first-round pick tonight, No. 29, now belongs to the Phoenix Suns via Utah. Cleveland is one of nine teams without a first-round pick, joining the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets are the only team without a pick, as they traded both their first- and second-round selections. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets own five picks, including four first-rounders. The Cavs do have two second-round picks — Nos. 49 and 58 — assuming they keep both selections. Players drafted that low often have trouble earning a roster spot, especially on one as talented as the Cavs. However, teams have struck it rich drafting that low in the draft. At 49, ESPN's draft board has the Cavs selecting Michigan center Vladislav Goldin, a 7-foot-1, 260-pounder from Russia. He averaged 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Wolverines last year. Cleveland could use a bruiser to bring off the bench to add physicality to the lineup. Adding another 7-footer to the mix would also be of use. With starting point guard Darius Garland sidelined until training camp — and maybe beyond — after toe surgery and valuable sixth man Ty Jerome an unrestricted free agent, it's likely Cleveland will draft a point guard. ESPN projected the Cavs taking Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard at 58. The younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, he's a 6-foot, 180-pounder from Ontario. He averaged 10.5 points and led the nation with 9.8 assists last season. The reason the Cavs might not keep both picks is because of their salary-cap situation. They're on the doorstep of the second apron of the NBA's salary cap and might want to shed salary. They are projected to have $219 million in salaries in 2025-26. That dilemma has spurred rumors that they're open to trading either swingman Isaac Okoro or forward Dean Wade, although neither have generated much interest. Both players came off the bench and are expendable if free agents Jerome and Sam Merrill are re-signed. However, signing both players is iffy, at best, due to cap limitations. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.