Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 options for the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft

The Cleveland Cavaliers are finally on the right side of the cut line in the 2021 NBA Draft. Two seasons ago they picked fifth in the 2019 Draft when the four best players went with the top four picks. Last year the draft was said to have a “Top 3” and they again were picking fifth.

This year, whether this draft has a top four, five or six, the Cavaliers are in the inner circle. Armed with the third pick in a draft strong at the top, Cleveland will have a chance to add that blue-chip prospect they haven’t yet been able to bring in.

With a premium pick and a lot of options to use it on, the Cavaliers have some decisions to make heading into Thursday night’s draft. What are five options, both prospects and trades, for the Cavaliers to use the No. 3 pick on come draft night?

Cleveland Cavaliers 5 options for the No. 3 pick: 1. Trade up

Trading up to the first overall pick is easier said than done, although it has happened before. Most recently was the 2017 NBA Draft, when the Boston Celtics held the first overall pick and dropped back two slots to third, taking the top player on their board while getting a future lottery pick from the Philadelphia 76ers, who disastrously chose Markelle Fultz.

While expecting a different career for their selection, the Cavaliers could make a play to trade up with the Detroit Pistons to the first overall pick to take Oklahoma State point forward Cade Cunningham. The 6’8″ wing has an extremely high floor due to his size and shooting, and projects as a high-level passer, great scorer and even as a good defender at the next level. While there are room for differing opinions on every player, Cunningham is very close to a consensus pick as the best player in this class and a future All-Star at least.

He would be a great fit on this roster, as they have been without a star wing since LeBron James left town. He and Darius Garland could share ball-handling duties, each spotting up around the other when off-ball. He is a multi-positional defender who can take on opposing wings and even hold up on switches.

The first question is whether the Pistons would consider trading down, and the second is what the cost would be to do so. The Pistons have brought in multiple players for workouts since receiving the No. 1 pick and could fall in love with Jalen Green or Evan Mobley. Would they trade down for the No.3 pick and Collin Sexton? Or if the Cavaliers can flip Sexton or Larry Nance Jr. for a 2021 lottery pick, would that be enough to jump two slots? Would it need to be No. 3 plus two other firsts?

It’s not clear who blinks first, and it’s likely both teams value that first overall pick and the chance to draft Cunningham too highly. Trades for the top pick have happened, but rarely. Assuming that the Pistons stand pat and take Cunningham, who should the Cavaliers consider taking with the No. 3 pick?