Team in late teens asking Cavs about trading down in 2022 NBA Draft

With the 2022 NBA Draft less than two weeks away, rumors concerning the Cavs and just about every other team in the league are beginning to surface.

With this year’s draft class, at least up front, not as strong as last year’s, you could understand why some teams are looking to better their draft position.

The Cavs, who currently own the 14th pick, are getting calls about moving their pick, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, as one team in the late teens is apparently taking Cleveland’s temperature regarding moving back.

Windhorst appeared on the ESPN Cleveland and discussed one such trade scenario (subscription required).

"“There are other teams that are farther back, I know of one team that’s in the teens that called the Cavs in the last few days, looking to move up to their pick, just to start talking about it, so Cavs are getting some offers, Windhorst said.”"

For what it’s worth, picks 16-20 are owned by Atlanta, Houston, Chicago and Minnesota, respectively.

Windhorst said he wasn’t sure if the Cavs were going to get caught up in moving out of 14, although he noted that a lot of players Cleveland’s worked out leading up to the draft are seen as second-round prospects.

These prospects may be on the Cavs radar early in the second round, while in the first, one recent mock has Koby Altman selecting LSU wing Tari Eason. G-League wing Dyson Daniels was a popular name attached to the Cavs a month ago, but now it seems he could go in the top 10, way before Cleveland picks.

While the draft continues to get attention because it kicks off transactions season, Windhorst believes Collin Sexton’s restricted free agency will be the move to watch.

The Wizards interest in Sexton isn’t necessarily new, but the former Plain Dealer writer mentioned Washington team as a team having interest. He noted their expiring contracts, cap space and the potential, perhaps for a sign-and-trade.