Factory Of Sadness
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Must hope for a star with the eighth pick

By Ryan Rosko

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: The draft board is seen displaying picks 1 through 30 after the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. 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: The draft board is seen displaying picks 1 through 30 after the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. 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) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers know where they are picking in the 2018 NBA Draft but now they need to make the right pick to justify the Kyrie Irving trade.

The 2018 NBA Draft is order is now set and in about five weeks the Cleveland Cavaliers will draft someone to add to the team barring a trade. The good thing about Cleveland drafting is that is in the lottery but the bad part is it at eight.

When Cleveland dealt Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics this past offseason, the most important part of their return was the Brooklyn Nets pick. The expectation was that Brooklyn would be so bad that they would land a top three pick.

Well, unfortunately, seven other teams were worse than them.

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If Cleveland knew Brooklyn’s pick would only get as high as eight, perhaps they would not have made the trade. Given the talent Irving is, they should not have.

Cleveland still has Ante Zizic and a 2020 second rounder but they already moved on from Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder.

Therefore, whomever Cleveland drafts needs to turn into a star. Otherwise, this trade can completely favor Boston. Right now Cleveland failed the Irving trade but that could change quickly if they hit on the pick.

Adding in George Hill, Larry Nance, Jordan Clarkson, and Rodney Hood in replace of Thomas and Crowder does not do anything either. All three of them do not move the needle forward.

Then again, the return would not have been as bad as it is if Cleveland got either Jason Tatum or Jaylen Brown instead. While it did not seem like Irving was going to remain in Cleveland long-term, he did not have to get moved as early as he did.

Irving can be under contract through at least 2019-2020 via a player option. If Boston would not have acquired Irving under any other deal, then Cleveland would have been wise to hold onto the former Duke product.

Cleveland’s best bet is for a top talent to slide such as guard Collin Sexton or center Mohamed Bamba. Regardless, if that player is not one of, if not the best players in the draft, then the Irving trade is the worst trade in franchise history.

Next: 5 best lottery fits for LeBron

Should Cleveland decide to move the pick they must add an accomplished all-star but the options may be limited.

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