Cleveland Cavaliers Receive Bold Draft Grade After Meleek Thomas Selection

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded the 29th overall pick to the Sacramento Kings for the 34th overall pick and a future second-round pick on draft night. With the 34th overall pick, the Cavs selected Meleek Thomas.

In The Athletic's NBA Draft grades, Cleveland received a C+. "I probably would have taken either Peat at No. 29 or Veesaar at No. 34 — the Cavs need frontcourt depth — but I get them saving money and taking a player they like," Sam Vecenie wrote. "Thomas is very skilled for his age as a shooter and playmaker, but he needs to refine his game as a decision-maker and defender."

Thomas played well in his freshman season at Arkansas, averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three.

He could contribute right away for the Cavs as a three-point shooter off the bench. 

Cleveland made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2025-26 season, but they were then swept by the New York Knicks.

The Cavs have a solid roster with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and James Harden, but will have to make some difficult decisions this offseason.

Cleveland is looking to avoid the second apron, which led them to save some money through trading down in the NBA Draft, but there is more work to be done.

The Cavs will now have to decide how much to pay Harden in free agency, as they can't afford to lose him for nothing after sending Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire him at the deadline.

They will also have to decide whether to keep Allen or move him to save money, then transition to Mobley as the starting center.

The Cavs are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, but the front office has more work to do to upgrade the roster.

However, selecting Thomas is a solid start, as he could be a rotational player off the bench.

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