The Cavs may be interested in trading into Thursday's NBA Draft to acquire a big man.
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Iowa State forward/center Craig Brackins (left, dunking against Iowa's Eric May) is one of a group of talented big men who are considered likely choices late in the first round of Thursday's NBA draft. The Cavaliers may be looking to pick up such a player by buying into the draft.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's an adage in the NBA that there's only three ways to get players: sign them, trade for them or draft them.
Which is why Thursday's draft is an important day for teams -- whether they own draft picks or not.
The Cavaliers are in the latter position this year, having traded their first-round pick to the Washington Wizards and their second-round choice to the Phoenix Suns. But that doesn't mean they are not involved.
At the end of the season, team owner Dan Gilbert said he hoped to get a draft pick by making a trade or buying a pick. According to league sources, those plans are being followed through. Over the last week the Cavs have amped up talks with other teams to set the stage for getting into the bottom half of the first round or in the second round.
The team is believed to be targeting big men who may be available. This draft doesn't have instant-impact centers or power forwards, but is generally regarded as being deep in big men. That is one of the reasons the Cavs may be interested.
The team's second priority, it is believed, would be a point guard. There's a chance the team will be altering its backcourt before next season.
Historically, most picks are exchanged on draft night, especially if they are sold. Teams can pay up to $3 million for a pick and because of that rule, that is usually what the price for first rounders defaults to. Usually a team will target a player or two and then wait to see if he's available before attempting the trade, which is why these deals often happen at the last minute.
There is expected to be several picks sold this season because some teams are looking to preserve salary cap space they'd have to use on rookies while others are looking to help erase losses.
The Cavs have purchased second-round picks in each of the last two years. Those picks change hands with cash more often than first-round picks but the prices are going up. When they bought the draft rights to Sasha Kaun in 2008, it cost around $300,000. Last season the Cavs were outbid for a second-round pick by the Houston Rockets to the tune of $2.25 million. Already this week, the Portland Trail Blazers reportedly paid $2 million to move up 10 spots in the second round.
Nonetheless, with Gilbert's backing the Cavs will likely be aggressive in attempting to acquire at least one pick. While they are seldom impact players, there are prizes that come from the late first round and early in the second round. Five current Cavs were second-round draft picks and three others were taken with picks in the 20s.
Williams update: On Monday, Yahoo! Sports reported the Trail Blazers were interested in trading for Mo Williams. League sources have indicated the Cavs have tested the market but aren't committed to trading him. Williams' three years and $26 million left on his contract make him challenging to trade, however the Cavs aren't believed to be interested in moving Williams unless they can get comparable talent back in return.
If the Cavs trade a guard in the next several weeks, it will more likely be Delonte West, who has a contract that is only partially guaranteed for next season.
Expansion at Q: The Cavs announced they will be expanding and re-designing the team shop at The Q during the summer. With strong merchandise sales over the last several years, the team has planned to add retail space for some time. During construction there will be a temporary team shop set up during business hours just inside the Time Warner Cable entrance.