Cavaliers Seeking Trade Options for No. 29 Pick in Tuesday’s NBA Draft
cavaliers-seeking-trade-options-for-no-29-pick-in-tuesdays-nba-draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers are actively trying to unload the No. 29 selection in Tuesday’s NBA Draft, league sources told Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
Team executives are weighing two possibilities: moving back into the second round or exiting the draft altogether. Both scenarios would eliminate the guaranteed first-round salary attached to the 29th pick, a contract commitment the organization is aiming to avoid, according to multiple sources.
“The last thing that team needs is more guaranteed salary,” one source said, echoing earlier comments made to Hoops Wire.
The late first-round slot carries limited trade value because its talent tier is often comparable to second-round prospects, yet still mandates a guaranteed deal. That dynamic could complicate Cleveland’s search for a trade partner. Should no agreement materialize, the Cavaliers plan to keep the pick and select the best player available.
Fedor reported that, with only hours remaining before the draft, league-wide enthusiasm for players projected near the end of the first round is lukewarm. If Cleveland identifies several prospects on the same talent level, the front office may trade down, reduce payroll obligations, and potentially pick up additional draft assets for 2024 or future years.
Source: Hoops Wire
