Khalifa Diop finally joins the Cleveland Cavaliers

Khalifa Diop will finally begin his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, four years after the franchise selected him. The move gives the Senegalese center the chance to turn a long wait into an official place on Cleveland’s roster.

Diop, 24, agreed to a four-year contract valued at about $9.26 million. Only the first season, worth $1.36 million, is fully guaranteed. Cleveland drafted him 39th overall in 2022 while he was playing for Gran Canaria and retained his NBA rights. He later appeared for the Cavaliers in the 2023 Summer League, averaging four points and eight rebounds across three games.

The 2.11-metre center continued developing in Europe after that tournament, spending three seasons with Baskonia in the Liga ACB and EuroLeague. Last season, he averaged four points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 17 minutes per game, while shooting 69 percent from the field.

Those numbers point to a player whose main value lies in his physical presence, rebounding and defensive work rather than scoring volume. Diop’s athleticism and ability to protect the rim now give Cleveland another interior option as he steps into the NBA after four seasons of waiting.