In the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers were a club that was rumored to be considering trading up into the late first round.
Heading into the draft, Cleveland was not slated to have a first-round selection. Their pick there was set to head to the Indiana Pacers as part of the Caris LeVert trade near the 2022 deadline, so Cleveland’s only selection going into the night was at No. 49 overall in the second round.
There being speculation about the Cavaliers possibly acquiring a first-round pick for seemingly a wing who could help Cleveland win now wasn’t all that shocking, either.