NBA Draft: Cavs take Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas with 34th pick

The Cavaliers were locked in on Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft. After they dealt that pick to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, their interest in the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder didn't wane. Cleveland came back Wednesday and picked the high-volume scorer with the 34th selection, which it acquired from the Kings along with a second-round pick in 2032. "We were excited he was available in the second round," Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said via a Zoom call. The Cavs plan on using Thomas at point guard in the upcoming Las Vegas Summer League. "He can play on the ball, and we'll try to develop that skill," Altman said. "We want to continue to make player development what we do." The 19-year-old Pittsburgh native averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a freshman with the Razorbacks. He shot .435 from the field, .416 from the 3-point line and a team-high .843 from the foul line. Thomas made the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team and set an Arkansas record by shooting .487 in SEC games. He scored in double figures in 15 of his last 18 games and paced Arkansas with 57 steals. "He was one of the best shot makers in college basketball," Altman said. He said Thomas had an eye-popping workout with the Cavs prior to the draft, similar to Jaylon Tyson's impressive showing in 2024. "(Thomas) has tenacity," Altman said. "He was awesome. He left that kind of impression with us." After trading their pick Tuesday, the Cavaliers went over their notes again and watched more film of Thomas. They also reached out to Arkansas coach John Calipari, who gave the prospect a solid thumbs-up. "We have a ton of respect for that program and Coach Calipari," Altman said. "We got an Incredible response from him this morning. (Cavs assistant general manager) Brandon Weems knows him well. He was the clear selection. "It made sense to move back. It gives us flexibility." By not drafting Thomas in the first round, it saves the Cavs about $2 million. They are trying to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. "We need to navigate this tax," Altman said. "We were able to save some money on the cap. Every million counts. We were smart and efficient at the same time." Altman said he believes the Cavs got a first-round talent in the second round. Where Thomas fits on the depth chart is up in the air. He'll be battling for playing time with Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor and Dennis Schroder. "All the hard work paid off," Thomas said on ESPN's broadcast of the draft. "I thought everything, all of my hard work, sacrifices, dedication, everything my parents did for me, siblings did for me and I had to do for my siblings, it's all one big emotion built up into this moment. Now it's time to get to work. "With the dedication that I have, always living in the gym, always staying in the gym and knowing nothing else but to work, the work's going to show for itself. So, in due time, everybody's going to wake up and realize." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.