As the NBA’s trading deadline nears, the Cleveland Cavaliers are in a position to improve their chances of winning a championship by making a deal. However, the Cavs’ most desirable asset isn’t a player on their team but the first-round draft pick they acquired from the Brooklyn Nets.
According to Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon, the pick can be had given the right player — or perhaps even a package of very good players? While answering questions from his Twitter account, Vardon was asked by a user “what player or package of players do you realistically see the Cavs acquiring before the Trade Deadline?”
In response, Vardon mentioned the Nets’ draft pick as a possible trading asset that can be acquired at the right price.
“Everyone wants to know if the Cavs would trade the pick, and there’s been much speculation that Cleveland would not, in fact, make a deal involving it. That’s not true, league sources have told me.
The Cavs would consider trading it if the right player were available — a player who’s either elite or who has the potential to become elite and is signed for multiple years.”
Rumors have circulated that the Cavs are holding onto the pick for dear life in the event that LeBron James leaves via free agency. If Vardon’s sources are to be believed, that is not necessarily so.
The Nets’ No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft was the key piece that the Cavs were eyeing in the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade which included Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic. The deal was done to secure their future and bolster their bench at the same time.
Cleveland’s front office is looking for a deal that will not compromise their future should James bolt during the summer, but will also give them the best chance of winning a championship this season.
It’s possible but may not be probable. Somewhere along the line, the Cavs may have to choose one or the other. As of late, the names of George Hill and DeAndre Jordan have started to catch fire as far as a trade with Cleveland goes.
