Should Cleveland Cavaliers consider trading back in the 2021 NBA Draft?
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers werent expecting to pick third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Whether it was truly realistic or not, they were part of the Play-In Tournament mix for about three quarters of the season. Hovering around the eighth spot, members of the front office spent plenty of time scouting the less-hyped players in the shadows of Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs. That next group features Scottie Barnes, Greens G League Ignite teammate Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Johnson, Josh Giddey, Keon Johnson and Corey Kispert, among others. The Cavs like that cluster. They will do their homework and expand the No. 3 search beyond Cunningham, Mobley, Green and Suggs. Over the last week and a half at the scouting combine in Chicago, Clevelands brain trust even interviewed a handful of prospects in that range. Some of those guys, including Kuminga and Barnes, are expected to conduct pre-draft workouts in Cleveland prior to July 29. Sources say theres already been plenty of interested suitors. But its just cursory conversations at this point. The Orlando Magic have Nos. 5 and 8. The Golden State Warriors have Nos. 7 and 14. The Cavs will listen and consider every possibility. Thats their overall approach during a critical offseason, even when it comes to guys already on the roster. Theoretically, they could make a draft-night trade, drop down a couple spots and move into range where they snag two players from this loaded class. Its a tempting thought. But that seems more like pre-draft chatter as opposed to anything of substance. At this point anyway. Over the last three years, even though the front office has been able to assemble a quality young core, making the most of the eighth, fifth and fifth picks, the Cavs havent been positioned to land the foundational centerpiece. Theyve publicly and privately lamented a lack of recent lottery luck. Trading back would mean willingly selecting from a lesser pool of players, sacrificing quality for quantity, and giving up the most valuable pick the team has had in this rebuild -- a chance to finally acquire the difference-maker thats missing. That seems highly unlikely. It would take a massive offer for someone to pry No. 3 away -- even though the options arent ideal fits on this current roster. Cunningham, the most seamless fit for the Cavs and the prospect they need more than anyone else, is projected to go first to Detroit. Houston is still difficult to peg. Could be Green. Perhaps its Mobley. Either way, drafting third means the Cavs will be able to get one of the top 4 prospects. Barnes and Kuminga shouldnt be ruled out. Theres still lots of time for boards to change. But that pair, while having the ability to boost Clevelands less-than-desirable wing rotation, is viewed by most to be in a different tier. Ten years ago, the Cavs faced a somewhat similar decision. They were slotted first and fourth. Even though Kyrie Irving was considered the best option, some wondered, given the other prospects in the class, whether it would be better to take rising forward Derrick Williams at No. 1 instead. Irving played just 11 games because of a toe injury. Williams was coming off a monstrous NCAA Tournament run. The thinking: The gap between them was close enough to lean Williams -- an athletic forward to help fill LeBron James old spot -- while also addressing the point guard need a few picks later with Brandon Knight. Was it better to have a Williams-Knight haul, two of the best players overall, instead of Irving and someone with much less acclaim at No. The answer then was simple. Take the package with the best player. That should be the same approach in a few weeks. Trading up would be a worthy conversation -- if Detroit wanted to listen. Using No. 3 as a vehicle for a help-now All-Star would also be logical. But forget moving back. Missing out on Mobley or Green -- both seen as potential future All-Stars -- wouldnt be worth it. In this case, two (players) isnt better than one. -  New Cavs face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NBA proceeds donated to charity. Buy Cavs gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, Lids  More Cavaliers coverage  NBA mocks cant find consensus for Cavs No. Pluto  Jalen Green scouting report: What hell bring to the league  Cavaliers interview FSUS Barnes, will expand draft search