The Cavaliers have the No. 29 overall pick in Tuesday’s NBA Draft, but they don’t really need it.
From the sounds of things, they don’t really want it, either.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavs are exploring moving down into the second round or trading out of the draft altogether.
This echoes what sources told Hoops Wire a few weeks back. Several said there’s zero reason for the Cavs to keep the pick.
“Last thing that team needs is more guaranteed salary,” one outside source said.
Granted, the No. 29 overall pick doesn’t hold much value. It’s sort of like a second-rounder in talent — but as the source indicated, slides right into a guaranteed salary slot. (Those drafted after the first round are guaranteed nothing beyond some team apparel.)
That could make the pick difficult to move. The Cavs are going to try, anyway.
But they will need to find a trade partner. If not, they’ll take someone at 29 and hope for the best.
“At this point, hours before the draft, it doesn’t feel like there’s overwhelming enthusiasm for the cluster of options late in the first round,” Fedor wrote. “If the Cavs view a group of prospects on the same talent tier, they could move back, still get one, save some money and possibly add more draft capital, either this year or in a future draft.”
Any of that would make sense for where the Cavs stand today.
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