3 scenarios for Cavs to trade down in the 2022 NBA Draft

3 trade-down scenarios for Cavs in NBA Draft: The 2-for-1

The easiest version of the trade-down is the “2-for-1” deal, where a team with multiple first-round picks gives a team two lower picks for the right to pick higher. One team gains multiple bites at the draft apple, the other gets the chance to draft a more premium prospect.

In this scenario the Cavs’ trade partner is the San Antonio Spurs, but it could also be the Memphis Grizzlies (two first-round picks this year) or a team that adds a future pick into the mix. For now let’s use this San Antonio example to examine the merits of such a deal.

The Spurs would gain a second lottery pick (they also have the ninth overall pick) in order to try to add premium talent, likely in search of that second star to pair with Dejounte Murray. If there are prospects with star potential in this draft after the top six or so, the odds of the Spurs finding them are much higher at 14 than if they let another half dozen teams take their swings.

The Cav gain a second pick to move down, giving them two bites at the apple. Many view this draft class as weak but deep; that is, not a lot of star talent but a lot of similarly-ranked prospects who can be rotational pieces. By trading down perhaps the Cavs get a wing and a backup point guard instead of choosing just one; would they prefer, say, Malakhi Branham or the combination of Kennedy Chandler and Jaden Hardy? It’s an interesting question to ask.