NBA Draft: A potential 2nd top 10 pick for Cavs? Easier said than done

The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to have the #3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and at that spot, it appears as if they could very well select Evan Mobley, a big-time big prospect out of USC.

Mobley had 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.4 assists per outing in his lone collegiate campaign with the Trojans, and with his touch, defensive versatility, passing feel and guard-like handle, he could be a superstar down the road.

In relation to the Cavaliers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated in a recent episode of his podcast, the Woj Pod, that there’s a “sense” of Mobley going to the Cavs, too. So while Cleveland could possibly end up going with Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Kuminga of the G League Ignite squad or Florida State’s Scottie Barnes, I’d much more expect Mobley to Cleveland.

Moving past that though, the Cavs are a club that’s reportedly interested in acquiring a second pick in the top 10 of Thursday’s NBA Draft.

Per a report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony (subscription required), Cleveland is “rumored to be making overtures to acquire a second pick in the top 10” while pondering if a sizable contract extension for Collin Sexton is viable. He then stated that Mobley is the “overwhelming favorite” at #3, in the event Sexton is not moved.

That said, the Cavs potentially landing another pick in the top 10 of the draft is easier said than done.

The Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, the clubs with the #4 and #5 selections, both reportedly offered packages for their #3 pick, but the Cavs don’t seem interested in a possible trade-down scenario, nor should they be.

From there, the Oklahoma City Thunder at #6, even with their outlook, I’m not touching on in that way, as even with potential trade pieces such as Sexton or Larry Nance Jr., I wouldn’t expect Oklahoma City valuing over that pick. That’s with Sexton’s contract situation, in particular, and even a 2022 protected first with him I wouldn’t imagine OKC would bite on.

From there, the Golden State Warriors at #7 (via the Minnesota Timberwolves), who also have the #14 pick, have been a rumored Sexton suitor, but that #7 pick would not be one that would reportedly be on the table. Perhaps the Cavs could have interest in moving Sexton for that #14 pick and Jordan Poole, for example, but I’d rather them not look to do that, frankly.

The Magic I wouldn’t consider as a possibility at #8, and then with the Sacramento Kings, I wouldn’t expect them to have much interest in a deal.

And lastly, while the New Orleans Pelicans are rumored to be have interest in moving their pick for a meaningful veteran, and the Pels have been linked to Sexton, Wojnarowski and ESPN’s Zach Lowe on a recent draft show expressed how they don’t believe Sexton will be moved, particularly not for a young players/players.

They touched on how Sexton’s 24.3 points per outing last season shouldn’t be discounted, and those comments, while he could still seemingly be moved, did lead to some more doubt involving a Sexton trade, though.

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Maybe a deal in-season involving Sexton, or near the 2022 trade deadline could come about down the road, however, but I could still potentially see him sticking with Cleveland through next season, and we’d have to see regarding restricted free agency in that scenario.

So, while the Pelicans could maybe be interested in a deal for Sexton for the #10 pick with Kira Lewis Jr., for instance, it’s still to tough say if that’d be realistic, given the likes of James Bouknight, Josh Giddey, Corey Kispert or Moses Moody could be there, and they could just take them.

And I wouldn’t expect them to hold Larry Nance Jr. in that high of esteem, given injury concerns, for one, even though he is a player that can contribute in a variety of ways.

Additionally, I wouldn’t expect Cleveland general manager Koby Altman and company to include a protected future first, necessarily with him, for a pick and salary matching, either. I could be wrong on that, but I’d have my doubts.

Furthermore, given the reasons stated, the Cavaliers landing another potential second pick in the top 10 of the 2021 NBA Draft just seems far easier said than done.

Perhaps that second Golden State pick could come in-play later via trade and/or a deal involving the New York Knicks at #19/21/Sexton later, but Woj and Lowe’s comments would hopefully hold weight and the Cavs wouldn’t bite there.

Next. A 'sense' Mobley going to Cavs at #3 should have fans pumped. dark

We’ll be zeroed in to what the Cavs and Altman end up doing though, and in relation to all things from a timing/viewing standpoint for the 2021 draft, you can view those here, via KJG’s Josh Cornellisen.