This Draft Prospect Would Fill Immediate Need for Cavaliers

With the NBA Draft rapidly approaching, it’s still unclear in what direction the Cleveland Cavaliers will go with their limited draft capital. 

If the Cavaliers are looking to add a win-now, NBA-ready player with their No. 29 overall pick, there is one player that could help accomplish both, and fill a current need for the Cleveland roster: St. John’s center Zuby Ejiofor.

Looking at Cleveland’s current roster, they only have two true big men: Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. At some point this offseason, the front office will need to find some sort of backup to fortify the front court.

Both Allen and Mobley missed time last season with separate injuries, which forced Thomas Bryant into a rotation role at times. TB was serviceable in his role, but not a long-term solution, unlike Ejiofor. 

The center spent the three seasons playing under Rick Pitino, and averaged 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 55 percent from the floor during his collegiate career. 

Ejiofor's best season came during his senior campaign, when he averaged 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds a night. 

It’s also worth noting that Ejiofo played in the Big East, which is known for developing NBA-caliber players, given the conference's difficult nature. 

The one concern with Ejiofor is that he’s slightly undersized at his position, coming in at six-foot-eight inches, but he makes up for that with his pure physicality in the paint. That style of play is also something that would be different looking for the Cavaliers off the bench.

If mock drafts are any indication of where Ejiofor could go on draft night, the Cavaliers should have an opportunity to select him at No. 29. CBS Sports recently had the center being selected at No. 30, and Yahoo Sports even had the big man falling into the second round. 

If Cleveland recognized his upside, they could even trade back and still get their guy. 

It’s still up in the air about what the Cavaliers want to do with their pick; keep it, trade it, draft a project player, etc. However, if Cleveland is looking to add a player with immediate potential to crack the rotation, Ejiofor is an intriguing target for the Wine and Gold. 

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