5 veteran NBA players Cavs should use 14th pick to trade for

The Cleveland Cavaliers are holding the No. 14 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, which will take place on Thursday evening. While there will be many young and talented players available to the Cavs at that initial first-round pick, the team should consider trading the pick for several established veteran players that could provide a quicker impact.

If Cleveland takes a player at No. 14, that player will have a learning curve to get adjusted to entering the NBA, and at this stage of the team’s progress, taking a player with experience makes more sense.

It was reported by Chris Fedor of cleveland.com recently that the team is fielding many calls from teams interested in moving up in the draft. Fedor mentioned teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves have been active in discussions with Cleveland. He also shared that the Cavs would also look to add a veteran that could help now with any of these teams they are talking to.

Player No. 1: De’ Anthony Melton, G, Memphis Grizzlies

Melton would be a nice addition to the Cavs. He’s traditionally been a guard who’s come off the bench to provide some great defense and also has the ability to knock down the three-point shot. He bumped his scoring average up to nearly 11 points a game a year ago while averaging about 21 minutes a game. He’d give you four to five rebounds a night and a couple of 3-pointers as well. Last year he shot around five of them a game and had a 37% average on makes.

With the uncertainty, if Cleveland’s current starting guard Collin Sexton will return with a new contract next season, the team needs to make sure that they have depth at the guard spot and Melton, who’s been in the league four seasons, would add some.

In this trade scenario, Melton could be dealt to the Cavs for the 14th pick and Cleveland could pick up the Grizzlies’ 22nd or 29th picks. There could also be a trade of picks and the Cavs could send a player like Dylan Windler to the Grizzlies in the deal.