Good to see that landing the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft hasn’t gone to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ heads.
What’s that? It has, you say?
According to ESPN.com’s Chad Ford (subscription required)—with special thanks to the folks over at RealGM—the Cavs are looking to use their top selection as trade bait, and they’re hoping it hooks them a superstar:
But I think the Cavs’ preferred route would to be a trade that thins out their roster and adds a young veteran who could immediately lift the Cavs’ long-term chances. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love has been the most often mentioned pickup. But the Cavs also have their eye on several other bigs, including the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah, the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge and the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford.
Hate to be the one to burst any atypically sized, comically extant bubbles here, but this isn’t going to happen.
Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah isn’t going to be traded. Not for anything the Cavs have to offer. Not for that No. 1 pick and Anderson Varejao and whatever else the Cavs are dangling. This only becomes feasible if the Chicago Bulls are looking to gut their roster and start over, which they aren’t. Noah is their most reliable player. He’s their most valuable player. I personally wouldn’t give up a No. 1 pick to land him, but the conversation is moot. He’s going nowhere.
Al Horford probably isn’t deemed untouchable by the Atlanta Hawks. They made the playoffs with him riding the bench and while a former All-Star, he’s never been considered indispensable. But is he someone you try to grab with the top pick? Not at all. And one has to believe the Cavs aren’t that thick.
LaMarcus Aldridge is somewhat interesting since he becomes a free agent after next season. Yet on the heels of the season he and the Portland Trail Blazers just had, it’s tough to imagine them trading him. Smart money has him signing an extension or guaranteeing his return or something before the Blazers decide to deal him.
Unlike the rest, Kevin Love is obtainable. Hang the No. 1 pick, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they’ll take it. Unless they’re stupid. Which they’re not.
Thing is, the Cavs won’t be trading for Love, even if Minny starts begging them. If they do, they’ll be the stupid ones.
Love isn’t going to re-sign with Cleveland. Never mind a guarantee, he wouldn’t return after next season. Perhaps if the Cavs somehow land LeBron James, but now we’re journeying into a land lined with cotton candy clouds, gold-paved roads and Colin Farrell-headlined movies that don’t suck this side of 2005.
More likely than not, Love winds up being a rental, and you don’t fork over No. 1 selections for players who may, may not or probably won’t stick around long.
Keeping this pick is the smart, safe, secure play for a Cavs team barren of stability and recent success.
Try to draft a superstar, not trade for ones you can’t get or can’t keep.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
