Khalifa Diop has travelled to Cleveland for a medical with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the franchise that has held his rights since the 2022 NBA draft. The Senegalese center, currently with Kosner Baskonia, could sign soon and complete his move to the American league.
A decisive step four years after the draft
The Cavaliers selected Diop with the 39th overall pick in the 2022 second round and kept his development in Europe. After Gran Canaria, the big man moved to Vitoria and established himself in the EuroLeague and Liga Endesa before the Ohio franchise decided to bring him over.
The move fits the team need to fill a roster spot tied to a player whose rights they already own. At the same time, the club is exploring the center market amid the possibility that one of their current frontcourt pieces could leave the project for good.
Baskonia already looking for a replacement
Diop has not joined the Basque side preseason camp. Baskonia granted him permission to travel to the United States while the financial details of his exit are negotiated, including a possible buyout to facilitate the transfer.
The Vitoria club is already working on alternatives in the paint to cover the departure of one of their main big men in European competition.
What Diop brings
At 6-foot-10 and 24 years old, Diop combines size and mobility in a profile still under construction. His experience in the ACB and EuroLeague positions him as a development bet for a rotation that already has established center options.
Diop's trip to Cleveland and the Cavaliers' interest in completing the signing were reported by AS — Baloncesto and Sportando in matching publications on 31 August.