IT WAS a quiet couple of nights for the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2025 NBA Draft in Chicago last week, but last season’s first-seed in the Eastern Conference still added a pair of players in the second round.

After being bundled out of the playoffs earlier than many expected by an in-form Indiana Pacers team, the Cavaliers have had to regroup over the off-season, and make roster changes that could ensure they are still in the championship window.

Although they did not make their first selection until deep into the second round of proceedings at the 2025 intake, Cleveland still caught the eye with some intriguing selections, including an Australian point guard with plenty of upside.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Drafted Players

Tyrese Proctor (pick 49), Saliou Niang (pick 58)

The Cavaliers had to search for value given how late they were selecting, having traded away their first round selection previously in order to build such a strong roster that led them to a successful regular season.

Australian fans were thrilled to see Cleveland use its first selection on Proctor, who was fresh off a strong campaign with the Duke Blue Devils. Once a top 10 prospect, the Cavaliers may have gotten a steal here given he slid down to pick 49.

During his first few seasons with the Blue Devils, Proctor was mainly a creative playmaker who could score from midrange and get to his spots with ball in hand, as well as hold his own defensively. However, he was forced to change his role in the 2024/25 season, and play a lot more off the ball to accommodate some of the Freshman additions.

Long-range shooting was an area of Proctor’s game that needed improving, but to his credit, he produced his best season from the perimeter in his new role, shooting 40 per cent from behind the arc and showing the ability to adapt to his new role.

Following the departure of Ty Jerome in free agency, there is a new spot on the Cavaliers for a point guard in the secondary unit, and he will be surrounded by some experienced backcourt guns, which will help his development and integration into the NBA.

The Cavaliers used their second and final selection to add Niang with the 58th and penultimate pick of the draft. The Senegalese-Italian wing is fresh off a solid season in Italy, and boasts impressive athleticism while being an exceptional defensive talent as well.

Although he may take some developing, he could become a solid rotational piece in the future, and the Cavs may look to go the ‘draft and stash’ route to allow him to work on his game in the next year or two.

Overall, the Cavaliers did an impressive job to make the most of their late selections, and have acquired two pieces that could be very useful in the coming years.