2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 2.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #4 and #10, Lakers Win Lottery
By Chris Guest
#26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Houston Rockets) – Keldon Johnson
After a truly putrid season last year in which they finished with 10 fewer wins than the Atlanta Hawks (a team that, remember, was also not that good), the Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to upgrade its talent at every position – especially if the team finds a taker for Kevin Love in a trade.
Even if they don’t, the team will have a likely Top 5 pick in the coffers and the continued development of Cedi Osman and Collin Sexton – the latter of which had a surprisingly good rookie season from a raw production standpoint.
With this pick, which the Cavs acquired from the Rockets in the three-team Alec Burks, Iman Shumpert, Brandon Knight deal, Cleveland will likely be in best player available mold and should select Keldon Johnson out of Kentucky.
Johnson was thought to be a late lottery pick coming into the season, but despite myriad flashes, he was never able to put it all together in his freshman season at UK, though the flashes and athletic profile should be enough for Cleveland to take a chance on a player that could be a franchise pillar if he lives up to the hype.