The Michigan standout could fill a hole at backup center.
The Cleveland Cavaliers still have a pair of second-round picks they can use tonight. One of the players they could target is Michigan center Vladislav Goldin.
Who is Vladislav Goldin?
Goldin is a traditional 7’1” center. The 24-year-old Russian played four seasons collegiately, with his final coming at Michigan. He averaged 16.6 points and 7 rebounds with .607/.333/.731 shooting splits. That was good enough to earn him First Team All-Big Ten last season.
Where is Goldin expected to go in the draft?
Goldin is expected to be drafted late in the second round somewhere between the low and high 50s. This is someone Cleveland could grab with the 49th pick, or possibly grab if he’s still there at 58.
What do the experts say about Goldin?
The interior dominance on top of the much-improved floor-stretching is a unique selling point. His toughness on both ends, plus the clear role, makes it imperative for teams wanting to boost their inside presence with a fundamentally sound, long, and mobile five. He brings experience and has worked himself up from the mid-major level while showing he contributed to winning basketball at Michigan.
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports:
Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big.
Goldin projects as a traditional, low-usage big who can provide efficient post scoring, rim protection, and physical rebounding in a backup role … His lack of range and foot speed may cap his upside, but his motor, size, and consistency give him a path to contribute on an NBA roster, particularly in second units built around structure and halfcourt execution … He may not be flashy, (or young) but Goldin’s experience, durability, and two-way efficiency make him one of the more dependable bigs in the class.
How could Goldin help the Cavs?
The Cavaliers could use a backup center. You’re likely not getting someone who’s going to immediately step into that role in the second round, but Goldin has the height and skill to someday be able to do so. Being an older and more polished prospect could help him get to that role sooner rather than later.
Goldin is one of a few center options the Cavaliers could go with. Amari Williams and Viktor Lakhin should both also be available for the Cavs’ selections. All three have different strengths and weaknesses, which means you could easily talk yourself into any of them. Of that group, Goldin is probably the most NBA-ready now. We’ll see if that’s the route Cleveland goes.