The Cleveland Cavaliers lost Kyrie Irving in their trade with the Boston Celtics last summer, but they gained a few valuable players in return. Beside great players, such as Isaiah Thomas, the Cavaliers also received a first-round pick from the Celtics. This Draft Pick is currently the most valuable trade asset the Cavaliers have and they could use it to improve the roster. However, they are still uncertain about the future of this draft pick and may not trade it.
LeBron James, who will most likely become a free agent this summer, may leave the Cavaliers once again.
He hasn't committed to staying in Cleveland, which is something that prevents the team from making big moves. One big move the Cavaliers are hesitant to do is moving the first-round draft pick. At the moment, it seems they don't like the idea of trading the pick because of uncertainty regarding James' future.
Draft pick is extremely valuable
The first-round draft pick the Cavaliers acquired in the trade was originally owned by the Brooklyn Nets. At the moment, the Nets are 16-28, which is the seventh-worst record in the entire NBA. If the season ended today, the Cavaliers would have a 4.3 percent chance to land the first pick in the draft and a 15 percent chance of getting one of the top three picks.
Considering that the Nets are one of the worst teams in the league, especially after losing some key players for the entire season, their record could get even worse, which would increase the chances of the Cavaliers getting a top draft pick. After all, the Orlando Magic, who have the worst record in the league at the moment, are only 3.5 games behind the Nets.
This draft pick is extremely valuable, but it appears that the Cavaliers are not willing to trade it yet. There's a good chance that LeBron James leaves the team, and if that happens, the team would use the draft pick to rebuild. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the draft pick could be a "potential franchise-resetting asset" and that is why the Cavaliers don't like the idea of trading it.
NBA's trade deadline is on February 8 this season, and if LeBron doesn't commit to the Cavaliers until then, we probably won't see them trade the draft pick.
Cavaliers in problems
The Cavaliers are currently on a four-game losing streak and they have won only two of their last 10 games. They don't look like a championship contender and it looks like the Golden State Warriors will be able to beat them easily once again. While Cleveland refuses to trade the draft pick, it is obvious that a big chance has to be done if the team wants to win it all this year.
