Days after the Kyrie Irving trade to the Boston Celtics was finalized, the Cleveland Cavaliers are at it again, fielding calls for the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick they acquired from that swap. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, general manager Koby Altman wants to add more assets to the team through the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick, which was included in the package that the Celtics swapped for Irving. Earlier, the Celtics shipped isaiah thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Nets' 2018 first-round pick and a 2020 second-round pick for Irving.
The Cavaliers might ask for a win-now veteran or a blue-chip young player in exchange for the Nets’ 2018 pick, which could end up being a top-five selection which can be used to take a top prospect like Michael Porter Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Luka Doncic, DeAndre Ayton, or Mohamed Bamba. Aside from the Nets’ first-round pick, the Cavaliers also have their own 2018 first-round pick that they can use to acquire a prospect whom they can build around in case LeBron James leaves in 2018.
Cavs to use 2018 pick to acquire Pelicans big man?
According to Jordan Greer of Sporting News, the Nets’ 2018 pick could be used by the Cavaliers to trade for DeMarcus Cousins or Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans or Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Cavs can also throw Iman Shumpert or Kevin Love in the mix. Shumpert reportedly asked the Cavaliers for a trade in the offseason but his request was overshadowed by Irving’s trade demand. Love, for his part, was mentioned in several trade reports, including a three-team swap with the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers that could have brought Paul George to the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers don’t have timetable for Thomas’ return
Meanwhile, Vardon said the Cavaliers have no timetable for Thomas’ return from a hip injury. Thomas was expected to arrive in Cleveland to begin rehabilitating his injured right hip with team doctors and training staff. According to Vardon’s sources, the Cavaliers will not rush Thomas’ return, but the team is confident that he will suit up at some point in the 2017-18 season.
Vardon added that Thomas is fully committed to playing for the Cavaliers. Last season, Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. He played in the first two games but his hip injury prevented him from playing in the next three games, allowing the Cavaliers to advance to the NBA Finals to face the Golden State Warriors.
