Mock draft: If Cavs keep pick, Porter Jr. would be choice

One of the biggest bargaining chips being tossed around in regards to NBA trade rumors is the 2018 unprotected first-round draft pick of the Brooklyn Nets, possessed, of course, by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland obtained that pick, along with IsaiahThomas, JaeCrowder, AnteZizic and a Miami's second-round selection in 2020 from the Boston Celtics in exchange for four-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving on Aug. 22.

While that Brooklyn pick is being bandied around as a major part of the rumor mill as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches, what is not being talked about nearly as much -- if at all -- is exactly where that pick might end up in the draft order and whom the Cavaliers would select, if they end up keeping the pick.

In a mock draft by Jonathan Givony of ESPN, he has the pick sitting in the sixth slot in the draft, which is widely regarded as being bountiful in terms of both high-level talent and depth.

As for the Cavaliers' selection (again, speculating they keep the pick and don't use it in attempt to upgrade their current beleaguered roster), he has them landing a highly touted player -- MichaelPorterJr.

A 6-foot-10, 214 pound forward, is a freshman at Missouri, but has been sidelined by a back injury.

Givony writes of the Cavaliers taking Porter Jr.:

With an uncertain future on the horizon due to LeBron James' free agency, the Cavs will need to stockpile as much talent as they can regardless of their hopes of keeping the King at home. Michael Porter came into the season with the hope of making a run at being the No. 1 pick in the draft, but unfortunately he hasn't been able to build his case due to a back injury.

The results of his medical examination will play a significant role in where he is ultimately drafted, but NBA teams don't appear to be overly concerned right now about the nature of the injury and his long-term prognosis.