Cavs to pick fifth overall in 2019 NBA Draft

Unlike in years past, the good luck and fortune were not with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Nick Gilbert at Tuesday night’s 2019 NBA Draft Lottery. With a 14% chance to get the No. 1 pick, 40.17% chance to get a top-three pick, and 52.14% chance to get a top-four pick, the wine and gold (unfortunately) will select fifth overall in the upcoming NBA Draft, leaving the Cavs and their fans with a lot to be desired.

The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery was unlike any other. For the first time, the worst three records in the NBA not only had the same 14% chance to win the No. 1 pick, but the rest of the teams in the lottery also had a better chance to get a better pick than where they were projected as well. Combine all of that and well, it was tougher for the Suns, Cavs, and Knicks to nab the No. 1 pick, as all three inevitably found out. In fact, New York (third pick) was the only one of the three to even stay in the top three picks.

In a draft that many believe is a top-heavy, three-player draft, the Cavs are stuck with the fifth pick. So now what? Well, general manager Koby Altman, head coach John Beilein, and the rest of the front office and staff will now use the next month or so to scout, interview, and evaluate players that may be available at No. 5. It seems obvious that Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Ja Morant will all not be available following the first three picks, but after that, there’s a number of different routes the Los Angeles Lakers — or whoever will end up having the fourth-overall pick — can go. Some early names to keep an eye on: Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter and Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver.

The wine and gold were hoping for one of those top three picks, but unfortunately, things didn’t go their way Tuesday night. Now they have their hands full trying to figure out who is best to take at No. 5.

Full Lottery draft order:

1. New Orleans Pelicans (seventh-best odds)
2. Memphis Grizzlies (eighth)
3. New York Knicks (best)
4. Los Angeles Lakers (11th)
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (second)
6. Phoenix Suns (third)
7. Chicago Bulls (fourth)
8. Atlanta Hawks (fifth)
9. Washington Wizards (sixth)
10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks) (ninth)
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (10th)
12. Charlotte Hornets (12th)
13. Miami Heat (13th)
14. Boston Celtics (via Sacramento Kings) (14th)