The Utah Jazz are gathering momentum to make a trade for the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, according to reports, and if the Cleveland Cavaliers remain unsure of which player to draft, it should be an easy decision for their front office.
Per 1280 The Zone in Salt Lake City, the Jazz have offered the Cleveland Cavaliers Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, and the No. 5 overall selection in the draft and veteran Jarrett Jack.
Jazz are offering up Derrick Favors, Alec Burks and No. 5 pick to Cavs for the No. 1 selection and Jarrett Jack, according to @1280Spence.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 23, 2014
Per @1280Spence, Jazz initially offered Favors/5 for No. 1. Cavs wanted unprotected first-rounder. Utah reportedly countered with No. 23.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 23, 2014
Jazz front office is reportedly split about including Alec Burks in that trade offer to Cleveland, according to @1280Spence.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 23, 2014
.@1280Spence clarified that Favors and #5 are on the table. Alec Burks, #23 and/or an unprotected first-rounder are potential sweeteners.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 23, 2014
There is no question that the Cavs need to pull the trigger on this proposed trade immediately.
Since Joel Embiid is no longer in contention to be the top pick and it doesn’t appear as if Cleveland is sold on either Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins being the guy, why not move down a few spots and add a talented big man in Favors and a potential-laden scorer in Burks.
At this point, if the Cavaliers are still unsure, why be complacent? Moving down five spots allows you to draft another prospect that could help out the team now or fill a need, or even to take Embiid knowing they didn’t use the top pick on an injured player that can’t contribute right away.
Favors has improved in each of his three seasons in the league, and could provide a much-needed boost to the Cavaliers’ new-look Princeton offense with Kyrie Irving running the show. Burks could have a better opportunity to contribute offensively, too.
However, reports indicating the Cavs are unsure of who to draft could just be smoke signals, and they may already know they want to take Wiggins or more likely Parker when it’s draft night. If that’s the case, don’t bother making a deal. There is a substantial drop-off in talent after Wiggins and Parker.
But any sign of uncertainty out of Cleveland leading up to the draft should be a caution that a trade might ultimately be the best move. Acquiring surefire front-court talent in Favors and the No. 5 overall pick could still allow the team to get better in this offseason heading into free agency.
That still seems to be a big “if,” though. And until further notice, the Cavaliers remain on the clock.
