Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Cavaliers: What should the lottery destined Brooklyn pick turn into?

By Ryan Rosko

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Front Row (L-R) - OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, Luke Kennard, Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, De'aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Justin Jackson, Back Row (L-R) Bam Adebayo, Jonathan Isaac, Justin Patton, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell and TJ Leaf pose prior to the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Front Row (L-R) - OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, Luke Kennard, Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, De'aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Justin Jackson, Back Row (L-R) Bam Adebayo, Jonathan Isaac, Justin Patton, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell and TJ Leaf pose prior to the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Cleveland Cavaliers have moved on from guard Kyrie Irving and one key asset in return was the 2018 Brooklyn Nets’ first round pick. First rounders are traded often, but don’t underestimate this pick.

There is no reason to believe the Cleveland Cavaliers won’t make it back to another NBA Finals. The same can be said with such strong confidence that the Brooklyn Nets are going to be very, very bad.

Yes, they did add players such as Allen Crabbe and D’Angelo Russell. Although those players are above average contributors, it is not like the Nets are now good enough to have a draft pick slotted between 12 (late lottery) to 20ish.

That’s just not going to happen– Brooklyn has been and will continue to be in rebuild mode.

If you recall, the Nets’ pick in 2017 would have been first overall, but due to a prior trade with the Boston Celtics, Boston owned the rights to it. The same exact thing could be done during the 2018 draft.

More from Factory of Sadness

At the end of the day, Cleveland will have a top-five pick thanks to the Nets. More than likely though, it will be top-three. So, what should come from such a high draft spot?

It all depends on what the Cavaliers’ front office envisions for the future.

General manager Koby Altman could prefer to trade the pick for an established star. New Orleans Pelicans PF/C Anthony Davis may be an intriguing option.

Should the pick stay in Cleveland however, the net star on a rookie contract would be on his way to NE Ohio.

Who exactly is that? All you have to do is look at which players are the top prospects in 2017. The probability that at least one of the top three or so will be viewed as a top draft pick is extremely strong.

Whether it is Arizona C DeAndre Ayton, Duke F Marvin Bagley, or Missouri F Michael Porter Jr., any of those three would valuable additions both in the short and long-term directions of the franchise.

If/when LeBron James leaves following the upcoming season, the likelihood would increase that either Bagley or Porter Jr., would be the preferred choice assuming they excel the way NBA personnel expects them too.

From what I have seen, I’d compare Bagley to Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, Porter to a mixture of San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard and Houston Rockets’ James Harden. Meanwhile, Ayton looks similar to Celtics’ Al Horford.

A whole season still has to be played first, but there is so much to like with the return Cleveland acquired.

Next: 4 reasons Cavs won the Irving trade


Whether another all-star is added via a trade or one of those top prospects are drafted by Cleveland, expect to see one of those two scenarios play out, specifically the draft. It is never too early to buy a customized Bagley, Porter Jr., or Ayton jersey!

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers