The Cleveland Cavaliers could be one of a few teams interested in trading up in this year’s NBA Draft per Kevin O’Connor on the Ringer’s NBA Draft Show.
The 2024 NBA Draft is one of the most unpredictable drafts of the last decade. For the first time since 2013, there is not a surefire top pick. With that said it leaves a lot of question marks around the lottery, leaving room for teams to get value. According to the report, the Cavs will also face competition from the Toronto Raptors, who could also eye a move into the lottery.
Report: Cavs Attempting to Trade Up in 2024 NBA Draft
A move up into the lottery puts the Cavs in play for a few different names. Cleveland already possesses the 20th overall pick in the draft, sitting just outside the lottery. Whether the Cavs make a deal or not will be up to Cavs GM Koby Altman. These upcoming weeks the Cavs have worked out several prospects, if he likes one enough it could sway him to make a deal.
Trade Package
Well if the Cavs are to move up, firstly they must find a suitor. Within the lottery, Cleveland has already been in trade rumors with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs possess both the 4th and 8th picks in the draft. San Antonio has been on the record to be interested in Cavs’ all-star point guard Darius Garland. A Garland trade package could yield not just pick eight but also pick four.
It’s unlikely the Cavs make a splash move like this but if they are truly interested in moving up it leaves it as an option. Cleveland is also likely unwilling to part with any major role players which leaves them with little ammo to move high in the draft. However, with the narrative of this year’s draft being ‘weak’, it means the price to move into the lottery could be at a discount. As they hold the 20th pick already, pairing that with some salary could be enough to acquire a top-12 pick.
Who’s in Play?
There are some big names projected to go towards the end of the lottery this year. Tennessee star Dalton Knecht and Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham are names to watch if the Cavs trade up. Knecht, 23, is a great scorer and would provide a major impact offensively. After transferring from Northern Colorado, this past year Knecht averaged 21.7 points while shooting 39.7% from three on an insane 6.5 attempts per game. Bringing in an experienced prospect like Knecht to stretch the floor and play defense at 6’6″ could be valuable. Dillingham is a much different player. The six-foot-one 19-year-old guard has immense potential. In his only college season, he tallied 15.2 points, and 3.9 assists while shooting a blistering 44.4% from three. There are questions about his size however, his upside is undeniable and he could be one of the best players in the draft.
With the amount of unknowns in the draft this summer, prospect analysis is as important as ever. If the Cavs find a player they fall in love with, they should make a deal, especially at this year’s discounted price.
