In their post-LeBron James 2.0 rebuild, the Cavaliers desperately needed an improvement in their draft lottery fortune.
General manager Koby Altman was acutely aware of that, which is why he wouldn’t admit whether the team would do anything to change its luck when the lottery order was set Tuesday night.
“It’s like you know when you catch a wish, you’ve got to blow it, you can’t tell the person what the wish is,” Altman said in his season-ending press conference on May 28. “So we’ll keep that internal.”
Altman elected to represent the Cavs himself in the virtual event. On the fifth anniversary of the franchise's unforgettable NBA championship parade, the Cavs came out of the lottery with the third pick.
The Cavs entered the night in the fifth spot after losing a coin flip with the Oklahoma City Thunder to break a tie of teams with a 22-50 record. The Cavs were assured of a top-four pick when the Thunder drew No. 6.
They had an 11.5% chance of getting the first overall pick, 11.4% for the second pick, 11.2% for third, 11% for fourth, 2% for fifth, 18.2% for sixth, 25.5% for seventh, 8.6% for eighth and 0.6% for ninth, their lowest possible spot. The Thunder's chance at the top spot was the same as Cleveland's.
When is the 2021 NBA draft?
The NBA draft is July 29.
The Cavs have used the past three drafts to add three guards — Collin Sexton (2018), Darius Garland (2019) and Isaac Okoro (2020), but they are still seeking a potential superstar to build around.
Cade Cunningham expected top pick
This draft has five players considered possible franchise-changers. Oklahoma State 6-foot-8 guard Cade Cunningham seems a lock to be the top choice.
Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green among other potential high lottery picks
Guard Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga, guard Jalen Green and forward Jonathan Kuminga of G League Ignite and Southern California center Evan Mobley are also considered elite prospects. Analysts disagree about the possible order, though, most put those four somewhere in the top five. Florida State guard Scottie Barnes and Baylor guard Davion Mitchell, considered the top defender in the draft, also drew praise from ESPN analysts during the lottery broadcast.
Getting a top-three pick should accelerate the Cavs' timeline for their return to playoff contention.
The majority of the Cavaliers staff was in Chicago for the NBA combine. The lottery was held virtually in Secaucus, N.J. Last year Cavs legend Brad Daugherty represented his former team.
Cleveland Cavaliers recent draft lottery history
In 2020, the Cavs had the second-worst record (19-46) in the league and picked fifth, tabbing Auburn guard Isaac Okoro.
In 2019, they were tied with the Phoenix Suns (19-63) for the third-worst record, won that coin flip and picked fifth.
In 2018 with the coveted “Brooklyn pick” acquired in Kyrie Irving trade with the Boston Celtics, the Cavs went into lottery night in the eighth spot and ended up eighth.
Before Tuesday, the previous three years didn't come close to what happened after James left Cleveland for the Miami Heat in the summer of 2010.
In 2011, the Cavs got the No. 1 lottery pick with the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick, which carried odds of 2.8%.
In 2013, they landed No. 1 with a 15.6% chance.
In 2014, their luck reached its peak, getting No. 1 with a 1.7% chance.
The Cavs have won the lottery five times since the format was introduced in 1985. Selected were Daugherty (1986), James (2003), Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins (2014). They also picked first in 1971 (Austin Carr).
From 2011-13 and in 2018-19, the Cavs were represented by their good luck charm, Nick Gilbert, son of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Nick Gilbert did not attend in 2014, but then-general manager David Griffin wore Gilbert’s bow tie as a handkerchief in his suit jacket.
2021 NBA draft order for lottery teams
1. Detroit
2. Houston
3. Cleveland
4. Toronto
5. Orlando
6. Oklahoma City
7. Golden State
8. Orlando
9. Sacramento
10. New Orleans
11. Charlotte
12. Spurs
13. Indiana
14. Golden State
