When the 2018 Nba Draft arrives, the latest Cleveland Cavs rumors suggest which player the team may take with their pick. There is NBA mock draft speculation about the team possibly having the number eight spot in the lottery order this summer. Their pick will be high due to an offseason trade which sent Kyrie Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, other players, and the Celtics' pick from Brooklyn. With that pick, Cleveland may opt for Texas Longhorns' freshman Mohamed Bamba. The 7'4" center would be an interesting addition to a Cavs' roster that currently features Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, and Ante Zizic in the position.

Bamba's credentials

The NBADraft.net website projects that Mohamed Bamba will be the number eight pick in the draft for the Cavs, and is comparable to current NBA star Rudy Gobert of the Jazz. If that's the case, he could give Cleveland a major inside presence for years to come. Bamba features a 7-foot-9 wingspan and a 9-foot-6 standing reach which could help provide major defensive help in the pain. To further prove that fact, he averaged 3.7 blocks per game as a freshman with Texas. Even better, he averaged just 2.4 fouls a game showing his ability to time the blocks just right without hacking his opponents.

Bamba wasn't just a block machine for the Texas Longhorns, though. As part of a team that reached the NCAA Tournament this past season, he was their third-highest scorer, averaging 12.9 points a game.

In addition, he led the team in rebounding with 10.5 per contest. He even showed a bit of range for a Big Man, hitting 14 of the 51 three-point shots he attempted. The Cavs are known for their shooting from long range, not that Bamba would be a major component of that.

As mentioned, the current Cavs' roster features several centers with veteran Kendrick Perkins, Tristan Thompson, and Kevin Love listed in the position and Zizic as a power forward.

It's unknown if all three of these players will remain part of the plan for the foreseeable future. There have always been lingering trade rumors for Thompson and Love as the Cavaliers consider altering their lineup to be more of a contender with LeBron James.

LeBron's decision

James may be the determining factor when it comes to the Cleveland Cavaliers' draft plans too.

There have been Cavs rumors suggesting he may sign with a new team this summer. Frontrunners have been the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers. The team may look to use their high draft pick to bring in another star player for the future if they feel James is on the way out.

Cavs rumors suggest other potential picks for Cleveland at the number eight spot. They include Oklahoma point guard Trae Young or Duke power forward Wendell Carter, both of whom seem like major talents for the future. Ideally, Cavs fans may want their team to try to move higher, though, especially if James is leaving Cleveland. Don't be surprised to see trade rumors involving that high pick if the Cavs need to really shake up their roster again.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED