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

3 trade-down scenarios for Cavs in NBA Draft: The Veteran Move

The final variation of a trade down in the draft is “the veteran move” where the Cavs move back a substantial amount and add a player from another team. Obviously similar to the “trade out” many teams do on draft night with their picks, here the Cavs still get a late first-round pick but also add a veteran who can help them meet needs immediately.

The Memphis Grizzlies have this offseason to make a big move to add to their roster before their young core starts getting very expensive. Moving De’Anthony Melton for Cedi Osman reduces the Grizzlies’ payroll slightly, but more importantly gives them a shot at a late lottery pick they can use to swing for the fences once more, as they did last season with Ziaire Williams.

Cleveland here gets a player in Melton who can work on-ball and off-ball, with good playmaking chops but also a strong perimeter shot and a high basketball IQ. Defensively he is a pest, with a long wingspan despite his 6’2″ height that allows him to hold up defending wings. The Grizzlies are flush with usable players, so he wasn’t always a mainstay in their playoff rotation, but his energy and versatile skillset would help the Cavs in a significant way.

The Cavs have plenty of options, and some of those options include trading down from the 14th pick. If they do so, they can add value back in a variety of ways, and might still come out with a prospect who fits their team like a glove.