The NBA Draft is fast approaching and with the finals locked in a 1-1 tie, the teams that didn't make it that far are now speaking with each other about possible deals heading into the event and with many feeling that the draft is a weak one, some big deals could go down with the top overall picks, including the top four with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats.
All the top teams have considered trades so far and according to ESPN.com, the Cavs could end up dealing away the top pick to give another team the chance to select Kentucky star Nerlens Noel, as he is considered to be the presumptive choice at number one. The Cavaliers won the draft lottery for the second time in three years and since the team has three other first round picks heading into the draft, they are in an excellent position to make a deal.
The team has put itself here by ridding bad contracts and now they have $20 million in camp space plus the number one pick, No. 19, No. 31 and No. 33 picks as well as a roster full of young talent with names like Kyrie Irving. The Cavs look like they are years away from competing, but with some smart draft selections and possible trades going down, they could remake their roster into one that could compete for one of the last few playoff spots in the East. Imagine next season a matchup of the defending champion Miami Heat and LeBron James against the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs?
Aside from those aspirations, a trade could be a good move for the Cavs, as they do not have much on the roster that equals playoffs, but if they traded with a team that was looking to get in from atop the draft, like the Lakers, Thunder or someone else, they could drastically improve. Noel may still be rehabbing when the season starts and while many feel he is the top pick, there are a number of other talented players in as well, including Otto Porter, Victor Oladipo and Trey Burke. Cleveland has missed the playoffs for three straight seasons and that could spur them to make a move that big, as the number one pick hasn't been traded in years.
Bleacher Report suggested a trade with the Thunder for names like Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones if the team doesn't want Noel and at number 12 they should still be able to get a solid pick like Shabazz Muhammad or Kelly Olynyk. Other deals that have been talked about include the Orlando Magic, as they could deal with the LA Clippers and get Eric Bledsoe and the number 25 pick to allow the Magic to take someone like Otto Porter or Victor Oladipo. All these deals are tough to figure, but there could be a ton of movement at the top of the draft this season.
