According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers, who hold the No. 5 overall pick in the upcoming 2019 NBA Draft, conducted a private workout with top prospect Jarrett Culver on Monday before hosting him for dinner with general manager Koby Altman, assistant GM Mike Gansey, head coach John Beilein, and assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
As Fedor details, the Cavaliers have been keeping tabs on Culver throughout the entire season, watching him in person multiple times. In addition, both Altman and Gansey were in attendance for Culver’s 22-point game against Michigan in the Sweet 16. Beilein, of course, coached the Wolverines in that game.
The Cavaliers are still hoping to conduct a workout with De’Andre Hunter as well, but it reportedly hasn’t happened yet. Culver is currently the No. 6 ranked prospect in ESPN’s top 100, while Hunter is No. 5, so both are obviously in consideration for the fifth pick.
The No. 7 overall prospect, forward Cam Reddish, won’t work out with the Cavaliers due to recent surgery on a core muscle, but the Cavs would like to meet with him in person again prior to draft night.
There’s more draft notes tonight from around the Eastern Conference.
- In other Culver news, his previously-reported workout with the Bulls (link) happened this afternoon, per the team’s official account on Twitter.
- The Wizards will host swingman Keldon Johnson (Kentucky) and forward Cameron Lard (Iowa State) for a draft workout tomorrow, per a report from the team. Johnson is the No. 19 ranked prospect by ESPN, and Washington has the ninth overall pick in the draft.
- Oregon forward Louis King, ESPN’s No. 50 overall prospect, has met/interviewed with the Bucks again, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. King previously interviewed with Milwaukee brass at the pre-draft camp in Chicago.
- The Sixers will host the following prospects for a workout tomorrow, per Derek Bodner of The Athletic: Jon Davis (UNC Charlotte), Dewan Hernandez (Miami), Ahmed Hill (Virginia Tech), Shamorie Ponds (St. John’s), Marcquise Reed (Clemson), and Luka Samanic (Croatia).
Culver would be my pick for the Cavs at 5, but I’d be intrigued by Reddish too. I like Hunter’s game, but he doesn’t have a high ceiling and #5 isn’t the time to play it safe.
I agree. I think the Cavs like Reddish a lot. His ceiling is high and would be a nice compliment to Cedi and Sexton. He can play the 2 or the 3. The NBA is going more into position-less basketball so I think he and Cedi can co-exist.
I think the Cavs are looking at Culver, Hunter, Reddish, Garland and White as guys that can all fit.
If a deal IS worked out with Atlanta then I think it would be something like them taking a player that they AND Atlanta both like at #5 and if Reddish is still available when Atlanta draft at #8 then they would flip whomever they take at #5 to Atlanta for their #8 pick along with Atlanta’s #10 or #17. Cavs would then take Reddish at #8 and still have 2 more picks in the 1st round. Either Atl’s #10 or #17 as well as their own pick at #26 (from Houston).
Reddish would have probably been better off signing with Beilein in the first place. 7-1 wingspan sounds good for the D. Very different from Osman, so an interesting battle for starting.
Atlanta has 8, 10, 17, 35, 41, 44.