NBA Draft 2014: Cleveland Cavaliers have no desire to trade top pick
Since acquiring the top pick in the NBA lottery, the rumors have run rampant on the possible chance Cleveland jettisons the top pick of the 2014 NBA Draft in hopes to land Kevin Love or some other All-Star talent to fast forward their rebuild. But according to Gery Woelful of Racine Sports Zone, the Cleveland Cavaliers have no interest in the first overall pick anymore.
Several NBA officials told me the Cavs have no desire to unload the top pick and have honed in on Joel Embiid.
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) June 11, 2014
If this is true–the Cavaliers have been known to send out smokescreens in regards to the draft–this is the right move to make. There’s no reason for the Cavs to shortcut the rebuild. They’re in the Eastern Conference meaning they don’t have to be an elite team to make the playoffs and it’ll pay the franchise dividends in the future if they don’t gamble with their biggest asset.
Speaking of that asset, the end of Woelfel’s tweet matches with the rumors that have floated around for the last few weeks. Of the three best prospects (Embiid, Wiggins, Parker), Embiid is the best prospect. The back continues to be a possible issue, but if health clears, its hard to see David Griffin going elsewhere with his pick though if they do select Wiggins or Parker, there won’t be much of a ruckus as the two are expected to be top talent in the NBA.
There’s no guarantee that Cleveland keeps their word of not wanting to move their first pick, but on draft night anything can happen.