Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 players to watch in the 2018 NCAA Tournament
By Ryan Piers
Cavaliers fans are interested in more than sleeper picks this March. There are high-profile players that could end up on their team next season.
You, the Cleveland Cavaliers fan, will likely be glued to the TV, brackets in hand, watching college hoops over the next couple weeks. Yes, you’ll quickly flip to the Cavs game to score check. The 2018 NCAA Tournament, however, will absorb most of your attention.
Experts believe this year’s field is wide open. The traditionally good programs like Duke, North Carolina and Michigan State aren’t seeded as highly as surprises like Virginia and Xavier.
The talent pool is also deep, with nearly every top pick possible playing in the tournament. Thanks to the Boston Celtics, the Cavaliers possess what could be a very lucrative selection in the Brooklyn Nets pick.
The Memphis Grizzlies are in full tank mode, losing their last 17 games. It can’t be coincidence that Marc Gasol’s defensive win shares and defensive plus/minus totals are by far his lowest since his rookie season (not counting his injury-riddled 2015-16 season).
Anyway, they’ll likely get the first pick, with possibly the Phoenix Suns going second. However, Cleveland is in prime position to earn a picks somewhere between No. 3 and No. 7.
With Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton or Luka Doncic likely going No. 1, here are three players that could fall into the Cavs’ laps.