The Cleveland Cavaliers have their pick of Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker when the NBA Draft rolls around. But will they opt for Option D?
According to ESPN NBA draft insider Chad Ford, the Cavs’ “preferred route” is a draft-day trade that would thin out their roster in exchange for a young All-Star-caliber big man. Among those rumored to be on their radar: Kevin Love, Joakim Noah, LaMarcus Aldridge and Al Horford.
I think the Cavs’ preferred route would be a trade that thins out their roster and adds a young veteran who can immediately lift the team’s long-term chances. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love has been the most mentioned pickup. But the Cavs also have their eye on other bigs, including the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah, the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge and the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford.
Like last summer, the Cavaliers have been mum about their plans at No. 1. The team brought Embiid in for the first workout of the three, but sources tell ESPN that the Kansas center’s health is raising an eyebrow, and may deter Cleveland from drafting him because the team wants a player that can contribute right away.
That leaves Parker as the strongest option, while Wiggins may have the most upside of any prospect.
It’s no secret that like most teams in the NBA, the Cavaliers have long coveted Love, the subject of numerous trade rumors out of Minnesota. Last month, ProBasketballDraft reported Cleveland was dangling Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao and draft picks in an effort to land Love.
This is the first trade rumor we’ve heard regarding Noah, Aldridge and Horford, as all are presumably untouchable because of their immense value to their respective teams. Noah is the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, while Aldridge was pivotal in the Blazers’ first-round upset of the Houston Rockets.
