Cavs: Team needs to avoid a trade to move up, but not to move down

The Cavs are rumored to be interested in moving up in the 2021 NBA Draft

The Cavs are one of a few teams, the others being the Rockets, Pelicans, and Thunder who are thinking about moving up to the No. 1spot in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft. The Pistons, who hold the top spot in the draft, have not really made it clear if they’re open to trading the pick.

The Pistons have the first-overall pick for the first time since 1970 and are expected to make one player just the third ever to be selected first overall by Detroit. The other two being former All-Stars Bob Lanier and Jimmy Walker.

That hasn’t changed the fact that there are some teams trying to sweet-talk the Pistons. As Jonathan Givony from ESPN wrote (via Fear The Sword).

"Teams including Cleveland, Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City are among those making overtures to evaluate what it would take to move up to the No. 1 slot, sources say, but those talks are at an early stage, and any trade is unlikely to be consummated until much closer to the draft, if at all. From all accounts, Detroit is comfortable standing pat at No. 1 and taking (Cade) Cunningham but will be active in exploring the possibility of trading down and obtaining additional assets, with Mobley a potential target if something gets done."

The Cavs shouldn’t make any trades but if they had to they should trade down

The Cavs are not in a position where they should consider trading their No. 3 overall pick. The team is in some sort of crazy-eights crossroad where either direction (or a billion other ones) would make sense at this stage of the team’s rebuild. If the team is dead-set on trading Collin Sexton, then trading for an All-Star caliber player works, or another young building block that fits in better.

The other idea that works, if the Cavs are wanting to make a trade on draft night, is trading down with the Magic and getting their picks at No.’s 5 and 8. The Cavs would be able to flush this team with even more developing talent, and really focus on rectifying some of those trade and draft issues from years past.

The other option is just to stay at No. 3. To move up to get Cade Cunningham, however, would cost the Cavaliers more than they probably want to give up, or more than Cunningham is potentially worth.

None of these prospects are locks. So don’t assume they are.