The Cleveland Cavliers already have two of the first four picks in the 2011 NBA Draft. But according to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Cavs are trying to get a third pick in the lottery for Thursday's Draft.
Sources say the Cavs have been very actively trying to do just that, with a massive $14.5 million trade exception as the device. The offer? Give us your pick and we'll take back a bad contract into our trade exception, which permits the Cavs to take back salary of more than $14 million.
Ford lists Sacramento and Detroit at seven and eight as two possibilities for the Cavs. If they were to trade for an additional pick, Ford thinks that Tristan Thompson would be the target. This would also allow them to take Jonas Valanciunas and not worry about having a thin front court while he works to negotiate a buyout for the next few seasons. I'm not sure that this is the draft to stock pile picks in because it is so weak, but if the Cavs really like some of these guys and the cost is just a trade exception that is set to expire anyway, it might not be such a bad idea.