Name: Cleveland Cavaliers receiving calls about No. 5 pick, with New York Knicks interested in moving up, sources say
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Cleveland Cavaliers receiving calls about No. 5 pick, with New York Knicks interested in moving up, sources say

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NEW!227sharesCLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a year of uncertainty, there’s nothing that could happen in Wednesday’s NBA Draft that would be a surprise. Not the Minnesota Timberwolves trading out of the top spot. Not one of the expected top 10 prospects sliding. Not some team from outside the top 10 flying up the draft board.Nothing.When asked what to expect, a source said, “Madness. And lot of movement.” That incudes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the No. 5 pick.Despite a weaker-than-usual draft class and lingering questions about many of the top prospects, there’s plenty of interest in the fifth spot. Sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs have had trade talks with the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.The Knicks are in the eighth slot. They’ve reportedly made a move with the Utah Jazz already. In that deal, first reported by ESPN, the Knicks dealt No. 27 and No. 38 to move up four spots into Utah’s old position at 23rd overall. It’s small move, but one that strengthens their chances of moving up from No. 8.New York, with a revamped front office that includes former Cavaliers salary cap guru Brock Aller, has a few pieces that could be enticing. Sources say the initial discussions have centered on 8 and 23 for Cleveland’s fifth pick. But would the Knicks also include a young player (Kevin Knox? Mitchell Robinson?) for a chance to move up a few spots -- and draft Brooklyn native Obi Toppin? Sources pointed to Toppin as New York’s trade-up target. Others in the five range -- Tyrese Haliburton or Isaac Okoro -- make sense as well.Aller is the Knicks Vice President of Basketball and Strategic Planning. He is the top assistant to Knicks President Leon Rose, who had previously been an high-powered agent at CAA -- the same agency that currently represents Toppin.So, why would the Cavs, linked for weeks to the Dayton high-flyer, make this move?As of Monday, when the Cavs gathered to finalize their big board, they seemed undecided about who to choose at No. 5. Late Tuesday night, one source said there were three or four guys the Cavs were deliberating between. A few of those options, of course, are considered more likely than others.Nonetheless, there doesn’t seem to be a consensus. Part of that is tied to the Chicago Bulls, who are one slot ahead of the Cavs and have the rest of the league, including Cleveland, guessing right now. The Bulls have a new front office and fresh coaching staff, and it’s unclear how they feel about any of the Chicago holdovers. How much will positional fit go into the decision-making process when the new guys have no ties to the old? Along with that, the Bulls seem interested in moving up or down -- depending on the offers and how the first few picks play out.The other part of it from the Cavs’ perspective is the cluster of prospects in Tier 2. Most teams, including the Cavs, have Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball -- in some order -- at the top of the board. That trio makes up Tier 1. Then the ranking gets tricky -- and jumbled.Okoro, the Auburn defensive menace, has fans in the front office. The Cavs went to Auburn for an in-person workout a few weeks back. After his on-court session, the team took him out for a meal. When that meeting ended, Okoro went back to the gym for a second workout, showing a work ethic and competitive drive like Collin Sexton. Okoro would be a terrific culture piece.Then there’s intriguing Florida State forward Patrick Williams, who some believe could end up as the best player in this draft a few years from now.USC big man Onyeka Okongwu has support. He could make a significant impact on the league’s worst defensive team. Multiple sources say Okongwu has a foot injury that could cost him training camp and possibly some of the regular season, but teams don’t expect it to significantly alter his draft stock. Okongwu’s floor looks to be the Washington Wizards at No. 9.Haliburton, a supersized guard, is considered one of the safest players and has a few fans inside Cleveland Clinic Courts -- even though the Cavs selecting another backcourt piece would be unlikely given how many they’ve added over the last two seasons. Then again, promising youngster Kevin Porter Jr.'s incident over the weekend is a red flag.Toppin is the most complete offensive player in the class -- a pick-and-pop threat who set a program record for dunks last season and could help immediately in their push for a playoff spot. It will be up to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to mask his defensive flaws. With Kevin Love’s name constantly popping in rumors, Toppin would be viewed as the long-term replacement.Israeli swingman Deni Avdija is believed to sit near -- or at the top -- of Tier 2. The playmaking forward would be considered the best match of talent and fit.In a swap with the Knicks, the Cavs could drop a few spots, pick up some assets and allow other teams to declutter their options, taking the best player remaining from Tier 2, where there seems to be little separation.The Celtics, with a tight salary cap situation and roster crunch, are eager to use their three first-round picks (14, 26 and 30) to move up. How far can they climb? What else would they have to include? Would it be for Okongwu or Okoro? Dropping down to 14 wouldn’t be ideal for the Cavs, who see a dip in talent in the 10-11 range. The Cavs did, however, have an in-person workout with RJ Hampton, who is projected anywhere between 12 and 20.Would the two teams get wild and create a monster deal that includes Andre Drummond and Gordon Hayward in a bloated-contract swap along with the fifth pick?The Pistons have been tied to Williams. There was some speculation about a promise there. But Williams is starting to get looks at No. 4. If the Williams-to-Chicago buzz turns out to be just smoke, then Detroit moving up a few spots to snag the “fastest riser” -- or even jumping Atlanta at No. 6 for Haliburton -- would be something to watch. What’s the price to move up just two spots? Is Luke Kennard too much from Detroit’s perspective? Could a future pick be a possibility?Madness indeed.New Cavs face masks for sale: Buy Cavs gear: , , ,More Cavaliers coverageNote to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

NEW!227sharesCLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a year of uncertainty, there’s nothing that could happen in Wednesday’s NBA Draft that would be a surprise. Not the Minnesota Timberwolves trading out of the top spot. Not one of the expected top 10 prospects sliding. Not some team from outside the top 10 flying up the draft board.Nothing.When asked what to expect, a source said, “Madness. And lot of movement.” That incudes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the No. 5 pick.Despite a weaker-than-usual draft class and lingering questions about many of the top prospects, there’s plenty of interest in the fifth...

Cleveland Cavaliers receiving calls about No. 5 pick, with New York Knicks interested in moving up, sources say

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