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NBA Draft rumors: Cavs, Grizzlies talking 4th pick, Chandler Parsons

By Nick Dudukovich

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 19: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks down the court in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on March 19, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 19: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks down the court in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on March 19, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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With the NBA Draft on the front burner, the Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to be looking at adding the Memphis Grizzlies’ fourth pick.

Confronted with the biggest offseason in franchise history, Cleveland Cavaliers GM Koby Altman is working hard leading up to the NBA Draft.

The Cavs’ top basketball man, who hasn’t even been on the job for a year, is talking with the Memphis Grizzlies about a trade for the No. 4 overall pick. A deal would come with baggage though, with the Cavaliers taking on the two years and $49 million left on Chandler Parsons‘ contract, according to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops.

 Amico wrote Mike Conley, who is due to earn  a total of $95 million over the next three season, could also be involved in the alls as the Grizzlies look to shed salary.

1. The Grizzlies would have to take on some Cavaliers to make the money match, so automatically, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and George Hill become trade candidates.

Memphis is obviously going to rebuild, I’m not sure how ridding themselves of the fourth pick in an attempt to shed salary, helps them do that.

2. Smith’s contract is valuable here. While he’s due to earn $14 million next season, only $3.8 million of his salary is guaranteed the year after. Parsons will earn $25 million next season. The Cavs would have to trade someone else to make the money match.

3. Smith’s contract is the only “easy way out,” meaning Love, Thompson and Hill are under contract for at least two more seasons,

4. Yes, the Cavs have re-visted trade talks for Kemba Walker. Would they trade the eighth pick, assuming they get pick No. 4, for the Hornets point guard?

5. Altman is working without any idea as to what LeBron James will do in free agency. No surprise here. The free agency game trumps the game going on inside the lines, and like actual games, James excels at winning the off-the-court battle as well.

6. Anyone excited about Kemba Walker on a team without LeBron James? Initially, my response would be “No thanks.”

Walker hasn’t exactly elevated the status of Michael Jordan‘s Charlotte Hornets.

However, it sounds like the Cavs won’t press the “blow it up” button if James leaves.

They won’t be Finals contenders either, but if they can somehow come away with the fourth and eighth picks to play alongside veterans such as Hill, Thompson and Larry Nance, they’ll develop their young stars just in time for their current heavy contracts to expire.

And then, who knows? Perhaps James says, “I’m staying.”

Next: 6 trade Cavs must consider with or without LeBron

7. A lot of “ifs” but none of that matters because the most important part of the Cavs’ future doesn’t rest with James’ next decision. It starts with the NBA Draft and we’ll have a better idea of Cleveland’s future after this week.

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