There has been an ongoing debate about what the Cleveland Cavaliers will do with their 2018 first round pick that was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics last offseason. Some experts and analysts think the Cavs should hang on to the pick in the event of a LeBron James departure, while others are open to dealing it — under proper circumstances, of course.
With the NBA’s trade deadline looming on the horizon (Feb. 8), teams around the league are keeping a keen eye on players who could become available. The Cavs are no different, but would they consider trading their coveted first round pick from the Nets? Perhaps, but it sounds like they’d prefer it be for a long-term solution rather than a quick fix.
Via Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com:
“I keep hearing the Cavs absolutely won’t trade the Brooklyn draft pick. That’s not true. I’ve heard from top league sources the Cavs will do it — but not for a short-term answer such as DeAndre Jordan. That’s because Jordan can become a free agent at the end of the season.
“The Cavs would trade the pick for a younger player who is under team control for a few years. But they are willing to deal their own first-round pick in 2018 for the right short-term fix.”
Whether or not the Cavs will make a move before this season’s trade deadline remains to be seen. With Kevin Love out of the lineup for roughly eight weeks due to a fractured bone in his left hand, the Cavs could go after another big in the open market, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have to use their pick from the Nets to do so.
The Cavs, now 30-20 and first in the Central Division standings, will be back in action on Saturday night, as they’re scheduled to host the Houston Rockets inside Quicken Loans Arena. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. EST with ABC having live broadcast coverage.