Cavs draft chatter: No thanks on this 3-way, draft night trade
Draft night is finally here fort the Cavs, as the franchise looks for hope once again, picking in the lottery again, as the team looks to make the postseason for the first time since the late 1990s (when some guy named LeBron James wasn’t on the roster).
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk of the Cavs trading the pick. There’s been far-flung scenarios where they go up, but trading down has commanded a lot of pundits’ keystrokes lately.
The latest scenario comes from The Athletic’s John Hollinger, who concocted a three-way deal in which the Pistons go to No. 3 (where they taken Evan Mobley), while the Oklahoma City take the No. 1 pick. The Cavs go all the way down to No. 6, but leave the trade with Shea Gilgeous-Alexander.
Alexander is an excellent player, averaging 23.7 points and over 5.9 assists per game last season.
It’s tempting, but it doesn’t really solve any problems. What becomes of Collin Sexton. What becomes of Darius Garland, a point guard many view as someone on the rise.
If the Cavs were getting a wing, I’d be more inclined to talk, but another point guard on a team that doesn’t need one–especially when Mobley, a player who could go No. 1 any other year, could available at No. 3–well, no thanks.
GM Koby Altman is certainly under pressure to win more than he has since LeBron departed. No, they’re not winning the Finals, but heck, any improvement would be welcomed improvement.
Perhaps Altman views Jonathan Kuminga favorably. At 6-foot-8, he’s certainly an intriguing prospect at wing. That said, he’s going to take some time to mature at the NBA level.
Kuminga has worked out privately for Cleveland, so the top brass got a good look at the G-Leaguer, who hails for Congo. Kuminga is coming off a season that ended with a knee injury, and he shot just 38.7 percent from the field and 24.6 percent on 3-pointers.
Larry Nance, Cedi Osman on the trade block. dark. Next
This is a simple one for the Cavs: Take Mobley and built around the twin towers of Jarrett Allen and the USC products, along with an ascending Garland at the point.