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2025 Second Round Draft Pick Won’t Play For Cavaliers This Season

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Daniel Benjamin | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 5:50 AM ET

2025 second-round draft pick Saliou Niang will not be donning the Wine and Gold uniform of the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Instead, the No. 58 draft pick will continue to develop his skills with the Italian Club Virtus Bologna.

“Saliou Niang is a new player for the Champions of Italy,” per Virtus Bologna.

While this move has been expected, Niang’s deal with Virtus Bologna became official today. Niang, born in Dakar, Senegal, has been playing professional basketball in Italy since 2021. He is expected to remain in Europe for at least a season and perhaps longer.

2025 Second Round Draft Pick Won’t Play For Cavaliers This Season

After beginning his career with Forturdo Bologno, Niang moved to Trento for the past two seasons. The 21-year-old saw his most extensive action this past season, earning Italian Lega A Most Improved Player.

“The last two seasons, he’s gotten a lot better. The strides he has made have been pretty incredible,” Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey previously said of Niang. “It’ll be a great opportunity for him to play at the highest level over there, and we’ll be tracking him and keeping tabs on him.”

Niang is an athletic and lengthy 6-8 wing who is considered a defensive specialist. While Niang needs to improve his shooting, he is capable of getting to the hoop off the bounce and moves well without the ball.

Despite not having planned to suit up for Cleveland this season, Niang did play for the Cavaliers’ summer league squad in Las Vegas this past week. Niang showcased his athleticism, versatility, and rebounding ability in the three games he played. However, he struggled defensively and with his ball handling.

Niang averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in Vegas. He was 7 of 17 (41.2%) from the field, 1 of 5 (20%) from the 3-point line, and 8 of 9 from the charity stripe. His best game of the summer came in his last outing on July 13 against Miami, where he compiled 6 points on 2 of 4 shooting, 11 rebounds (four offensive), three assists, and no turnovers.

What Is Left For The Cavaliers?

It has been a pretty quiet offseason for the Cavaliers. Their major move thus far has been trading for Lonzo Ball. Ball presumably will take over the starting point guard duties until Darius Garland is healthy. They also extended Sam Merrill for four seasons and signed Tyrese Proctor, their other second-round draft pick.

Cleveland does have to make at least one more roster move before the start of the regular season. However, they will likely add at least two more players.

The Cavaliers have 13 players on standard contracts with a salary cap hit of $228.4 million, meaning they will likely begin the season as a second apron team. There is a path for the Cavaliers not to be a second apron team and that is by unloading Garland, Jarrett Allen or De’Andre Hunter. However, that is unlikely to happen unless they get off to a terrible start.

Therefore, Cleveland will likely add a veteran player willing to play for the minimum or a youngster. The Cavaliers’ most glaring hole is at backup center. Evan Mobley, the Cavs’ starting power forward, along with Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr., and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, can all play the five. But they are all better suited to play the four.

Tomlin has only five games of experience and is on a two-way deal. Speaking of players on a two-way contract, the Cavaliers will likely add another one before the start of the season. Tomlin and Luke Travers are the only players signed to a minor league contract.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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