With the 2021 NBA draft approaching rumors are starting to be kicked up like they always are. One rumor, in particular, should be very exciting to hear for Cavs fans and that is the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly looking into trade options with the Detroit Pistons for the number one draft pick.
Cleveland currently owns the number 3 draft pick which is the highest they have had in years, and that pick would be the centerpiece in any trade between these two teams as well as a future first-rounder and a player or two.
If Cleveland were to trade up and get the first pick they would likely draft Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University. According to Bleacher Report, “The Cavs are one of four teams, along with the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder, who’ve been making overtures to Detroit about the cost of moving up to number 1”.
Cade could prove to be a perfect fit in Cleveland as he would slide in with Isaac Okoro. Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Jarret Allen. Allen would be the oldest player in that lineup at just 23 years old. Cade averaged 20 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, and shot 40 percent from behind the arc in only 27 games with Oklahoma State University.
Will the Cavs move up in the draft?
Moving up in the draft would be a bold move by the Cavs’ General Manager Koby Altmen as he has recently been called out for the team’s sluggish rebuild. But if they get the opportunity to move up for Cade it could change the whole atmosphere around Cleveland basketball.
For the past few years, Cavs fans have not had a lot to be excited about as they have been a lottery team since LeBron James took his talents to Los Angeles after the 2017-2018 season. But on the brightside, the Cavs’ young core has made great strides to improve and all their hard work is starting to show as their young backcourt is really starting to come into their own. Even if Cleveland can’t move up to draft Cade they could still very easily draft center Evan Mobley and pair him with Allen in the starting lineup.
It will be very interesting to see what Cleveland and other teams will do as we grow closer to draft night on July 29th. Even if the top 5 picks stay the same this draft class is loaded with talent and it is sure to change some franchises for the better.