Cavaliers Prospect To Bail On Spanish Team To Come To NBA

August 31, 2026
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The Cleveland Cavaliers remain busy this offseason. Just coming off a couple of huge moves, including trading for Peyton Watson and re-signing James Harden to a massive free agent deal, now they may finally be ready to bring a former draft pick to the NBA after a four year wait. 

Khalifa Diop has reportedly left his Spanish team's preseason camp to fly to Cleveland for a physical, a significant development as the Cavaliers hope to sign the 24-year-old center. He was their second-round pick (39th overall) in the 2022 NBA Draft. 

According to a report from Spain’s El Correo, the idea of a move to North America for Diop is becoming extremely likely, although Cleveland and Baskonia still need to resolve the financial details of Diop’s departure. But the Spanish team is already looking for a replacement big man.

NBA insider Jake Fischer said recently on Bleacher Report that the Cavs "have to sign a draft rights player" to make all of their other moves fit, and, "at this point in time, I have been told that it is likely that Khalifa Diop is going to sign a rookie minimum contract with Cleveland."

If they can swing that, all of their financial wrangling involving Harden's and Watson's deals, plus the associated trades, will finally fall into place, and put them into a "comfortable tax level", per Fischer. 

Last season with Baskonia, Diop, the 6'11" center out of Senegal, played just under 17 minutes a game in EuroLeague play, averaging 4.0 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting over 69% from the field. 

He likely won't see a lot of floor time this season in the NBA, behind Jarrett Allen and Thomas Bryant, with Evan Mobley also sliding over to the five when needed. But as a depth piece, they hope Diop can develop into something. 


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