Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says front office is ‘unified’ on No. 1 pick
By Sam Richmond
With the 2014 NBA Draft just a day away, rumors have been flying around that the Cleveland Cavaliers are still unsure of who they prefer to select with the No. 1 overall pick.
More from Cleveland Cavaliers
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Joel Embiid
- NBA rumors: How Donovan Mitchell could wind up on the trading block
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
ESPN’s Chad Ford and Jeff Goodman added another wrinkle to the saga on Wednesday, as they reported Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and his front office are in disagreement on who among Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker represent the best option.
"Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert favors drafting Wiggins with the No. 1 pick after the former Kansas star’s terrific workout last Wednesday, according to multiple sources.However, the majority of the Cavs’ front office — including new general manager David Griffin — is leaning toward selecting Parker, sources said."
Ford and Goodman’s report also suggested that Gilbert might want the final say on the pick this year, given what occurred in the last draft.
"A year ago, Gilbert allowed his front office and new head coach Mike Brown to make the call, and they chose Anthony Bennett with the top pick. Bennett struggled as a rookie, averaging just 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season.“After what happened last year, he may choose to make the call himself,” one source close to the situation told ESPN.com."
Gilbert apparently didn’t appreciate these suggestions of a front office rift and slammed the veracity of the report on Twitter.
Nonsense. We are united. RT @chadfordinsider: Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wants Wiggins at #1 Front office wants Parker. http://t.co/IMRUK09DKs
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) June 25, 2014
It’s easy to see why Gilbert would want to perpetuate the notion that there is no dysfunction and all is well in the Cavaliers world. Given Gilbert’s agenda, and also factoring in that Goodman and Ford are two of the most respected NBA reporters in the business, we’re going to go ahead and trust the ESPN guys here.