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Should the Cleveland Cavaliers even trade back into the 2023 NBA Draft

By Chad Porto

Jun 24, 2022; Independence, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman, left, and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, right, pose with first round draft pick Ochai Agbaji during a press conference introducing the first two draft picks of the Cavaliers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2022; Independence, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman, left, and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, right, pose with first round draft pick Ochai Agbaji during a press conference introducing the first two draft picks of the Cavaliers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to be interested in trading into the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team with flaws. Everyone knows this, but what we don’t know is how the Cavs intend to fix the issues that they’re facing. They need three key spots, a small forward with scoring and defensive potential, they need a third big man who can spell Evan Mobley and Jarrett while giving them size on defense. They also need a bench shooter, who can shoot threes.

And right now we don’t know who they’re going to find to fix those spots. The team is looking at some free agents, some trade targets, and the second-round pick they currently have in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft. The team knows that a second-round pick won’t net them an impact player, at least this year. So they’re looking beyond the second-round pick, and are hoping to get back into the first round.

The question is, should they? The Cavs would have to give up some serious assets to move up, and that’s a pretty hefty risk.

The Cleveland Cavaliers should not move back up into the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t really have the assets to move up. They can give up a future first, but who knows what that first round could be worth when it finally comes to fruition. They could give up a grouping of second-round picks, maybe some duo like Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro, or a combination of picks and players.

After the Donovan Mitchell trade, the Cavs don’t have the youth needed to part ways with players or picks right now. Especially not for a player you have no real idea about. The draft is so funky, and often guys you think are going to be good just aren’t.

It’s impossible to know if the player you pick is going to be any good, which is why it’s important to just stand pat with the pick you have in 2023, and see how things shake out in the future. If the team hadn’t made the Mitchell trade, or had more depth on the team, or had more picks, then sure. Make the deal.

But due to the Cavs’ current situation, it’s just not prudent to move a ton of assets right now for a pick that may or may not turn into a viable starting caliber player.

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  • Published on 06/18/2023 at 23:55 PM
  • Last updated at 06/18/2023 at 23:55 PM
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