Skip to main content

Cavaliers open to trading first pick, says new GM David Griffin

Even with talent like Joel Embiid available in this year's draft, Cleveland might trade its pick. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Even with talent like Joel Embiid available in this year's draft, Cleveland might trade its pick. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are keeping an open mind when it comes to what to do with their first overall pick in this year's draft, and that includes the possibility of trading it should the right offer present itself.

According to Mary Schmitt Boyer and Jodie Valade of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, new General Manager David Griffin won't rule out the idea of using the number one pick to acquire veteran rather than rookie talent.

GOLLIVER: 2014 NBA draft lottery: Winners, losers

Speculation over the Cavs' plan for the draft is already widespread. One report indicates that Kansas big man Joel Embiid is their target -- pending concerns about his chronic back issues  -- while NBA insider Chad Ford of ESPN reports that his sources out of Cleveland indicate that the Jayhawks' other former star, Andrew Wiggins, is their top choice:

My sources in Cleveland indicate Wiggins is the likelier choice at this early stage. They feel he has the most long-term potential, helps them defensively right out of the gate, and can replace Dion Waiters in the starting lineup while adding character to the team.

The Cavs came away with the first pick in Tuesday's draft lottery after only a 1.7 percent chance of winning it, their second consecutive year of picking first. It also marked the third time in four years that the organization won the draft lottery and the fourth time in the past 11 years, dating back to 2003 when they selected a young LeBron James out of Akron, Ohio.