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CLEVELAND, Ohio – In a year of uncertainty, nothing could happen in Wednesday’s NBA Draft that would come as a surprise. Not the Minnesota Timberwolves coming out of first place. None of the top 10 expected prospects slip. Not a top 10 outside team moving up the draft board.
Nothing.
When asked what to expect, a source said: “Madness. And a lot of movement. That includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the No.5 pick.
Despite a weaker-than-usual draft class and lingering questions about many of the top prospects, there is a lot of interest in fifth place. Sources tell cleveland.com that the Cavs have had trade talks with the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.
The Knicks are in eighth place. They would have already taken a step with Utah Jazz. In the deal, first reported by ESPN, the Knicks won 27th and 38th overall to move up four places to Utah’s former position of 23rd overall. It’s a small movement, but one that strengthens their chances of passing from # 8.
New York, with a revamped front office that includes former Cavaliers salary cap guru Brock Aller, has a few things that could be alluring. Would the Knicks offer a combination of 8, 23 and a young player (Kevin Knox? Mitchell Robinson?) For Cleveland’s fifth pick – and a chance to draft Brooklyn-born Obi Toppin? Sources have identified Toppin as the New York takeover target. Others in the range five – Tyrese Haliburton or Isaac Okoro – also make sense.
Aller is the Knicks’ vice president of basketball and strategic planning. He’s the main assistant to Knicks president Leon Rose, who was previously a high profile agent at CAA – the same agency that currently represents Toppin.
So why would the Cavs, linked for weeks to the Dayton high-flyer, make the move?
When the Cavs got together on Monday to finalize their big draw, they seemed undecided as to who to pick at No.5. Late Tuesday night, a source said there were three or four guys the Cavs were deliberating between. Some of these options, of course, are considered more likely than others.
However, there does not appear to be a consensus. Part of that has to do with the Chicago Bulls, who are one niche ahead of the Cavs and have the rest of the league, including Cleveland, guessing right now. The Bulls have a new front office and new coaching staff, and it’s unclear what they think of the Chicago fallout. How well will positional adjustment go into the decision-making process when new guys have no connection to old guys? Along with that, the Bulls seem interested in going up or down – depending on the offers and how the top picks unfold.
The other part from the Cavs perspective is the Tier 2 prospect group. Most teams, including the Cavs, have Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball – in a particular order – at the top of the table. This trio constitutes level 1. Then, the classification becomes delicate – and confused.
Auburn’s defensive threat Okoro has fans at the front office. The Cavs went to Auburn for an in-person workout a few weeks ago. After his session in the field, the team took him out for a meal. At the end of that reunion, Okoro returned to the gym for a second workout, showing off a work ethic and competitive motivation like Collin Sexton. Okoro would be a great piece of culture.
Then there’s intriguing Florida State forward Patrick Williams, who some say could become the best player in this draft in a few years.
USC big man Onyeka Okongwu has support. He could have a significant impact on the worst defensive team in the league. Multiple sources claim Okongwu has a foot injury that could cost him training camp and possibly part of the regular season, but teams don’t expect this to significantly alter his draft supply. Okongwu soil appears to be Washington Wizards at No.9.
Haliburton, an oversized guard, is considered one of the safest players and has a few fans inside the courts of the Cleveland Clinic – although the Cavs selecting another play from the backcourt would be unlikely given the number they’ve added over the past two seasons. Then again, the incident of promising young Kevin Porter Jr. over the weekend is a red flag.
Toppin is the most complete offensive player in the class – a pick-and-pop threat who set a program record for the dunks last season and could immediately help in their push for a playoff berth. It will be up to head coach JB Bickerstaff to hide his defensive flaws. With Kevin Love’s name constantly being rumored, Toppin would be seen as the long-term replacement.
Israeli swingman Deni Avdija is believed to be sitting near – or at the top – of Tier 2. The forward in the game would be considered the best match in skill and form.
In a trade with the Knicks, the Cavs could theoretically lose a few spots, reclaim assets and allow other teams to declutter their options, taking the best remaining player from Tier 2, where there appears to be little separation.
The Celtics, with a tight salary cap situation and a staff shortage, are eager to use their three first-round picks (14, 26 and 30) to progress. How far can they go? What else should they include? Could it be for Okongwu or Okoro? Going down to 14 wouldn’t be ideal for the Cavs, who see a drop in talent in the 10-11 lineup. The Cavs, however, had an in-person workout with RJ Hampton, who is screened between 12-20.
Would the two teams go crazy and create a monster deal that included Andre Drummond and Gordon Hayward in a bloated contract swap with the fifth pick?
The Pistons have been linked to Williams. There was speculation about a promise there. But Williams is starting to get looks at No.4. If Williams’ Chicago buzz turns out to be just smoke, then Detroit climbs a few spots to snag the “fastest climb” – or even skip Atlanta at No. 4 6 for Haliburton – would be something to watch. What is the price to climb only two places? Is Luke Kennard too much from Detroit’s point of view? Could a future choice be a possibility?
Madness indeed.
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New Cavs Face Masks For Sale: Here’s where you can purchase Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All NBA profits have been donated to charity.
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