Cavaliers Should Snag Gifted Alabama Player to Ease Playoff Heartbreak

The Cleveland Cavaliers are officially out of the NBA playoffs, and it hurts. But, they can ease the pain by adding top-notch talent in the 2026 NBA draft.

In a mock out on Saturday, May 23, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report names his projections for the upcoming draft. He has the Cavaliers going with forward Amari Allen out of Alabama.

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“The Cavaliers keep trying to find the right fit at small forward, but that search is very clearly ongoing,” he states in the piece. “Nothing that has happened this postseason would suggest Cleveland has its long-term solution at that spot.”

He adds: “To be clear, there’s a real chance Allen wouldn’t fully fill that void, either, but he’d be a sensible target just to find out. He defends multiple positions, gets active on the glass and can finish most scoring chances others create.”

My Take: Amari Allen to the Cavaliers

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While Allen may not the final stop in the Cavaliers’ search to find the right small forward, but he could be a key piece of the puzzle. Plainly stated, Allen feels like the kind of player to take a chance on. He brings size, athleticism and defensive versatility, and he’s also the kind of wing who can impact games even when he’s not the one shooting.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 10:22 AM.