2014 NBA Draft: Kevin Love, Josh Smith Moving On Draft Day?

Derrick Doing Favors for Utah? 

Cleveland seems to be dangling that top overall pick out on a string for teams to chase. They’ve reportedly been in talks with both Philadelphia and Utah about a potential move out of the top slot.

We’ve already discussed Philadelphia’s offer for the top pick, but yesterday the Jazz kept popping up in trade offers for the top pick. It includes a variation of the No.5 pick, Derrick Favors and Alec Burks going to Cleveland in exchange for the No.1 pick and Jarrett Jack.

Now, this trade could happen, but it’s not really one that makes sense for the Jazz.

Favors, at 22 years old, is just now starting to come into his own as an NBA player. His progress with the Nets was hindered greatly and then was promptly traded for Deron Williams.

Now, he’s started to figure it all out, becoming an imposing threat on the inside. He was given a four-year, $49 million extension last fall. Utah was putting their faith in Favors and he repaid  them with a 13-point, nine-rebound per game season, his best season to date.

He’s the guy they need in the post to give them grit and toughness.

I’ve long been a supporter of the Jabari Parker-to-the-Jazz train, but only with Favors still there. Pairing Parker, an already established prospect, with Trey Burke, Favors and a re-signing Gordon Hayward and the Jazz immediately have a young team that can blossom together and be a threat in the Western Conference for years to come.

That idea gets blown up if the Jazz trade Favors away to get Parker.

Before Embiid’s foot injury, there was a chance that Parker would fall to the Jazz at No.5, but Embiid’s stock is falling and Parker’s is climbing.

It’s difficult to see him dropping past the second overall pick. Utah might not be very impressed with the choice they’d have at No.5, which could be why they’re looking to make this trade.

While I’m not a huge fan of this trade for Utah, it’s one that could come up.