NBA Rumors: Cavs Would Be Foolish to Trade for No. 2 Pick in Draft

The Cleveland Cavaliers want to move up in the 2012 NBA Draft, and the Bobcats may be willing to listen.

Charlotte's President of Basketball Operations, Rod Higgins, had this to say about his team's No. 2 overall selection in an interview with the Charlotte Observer.

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Some other teams are going to call us about No. 2. We’re going to get some interest there until the pick is called on draft night.

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The Bobcats would be wise to field, and listen to every offer that comes their way. This is a team begging for help at several positions. They must pick up an extra first-round selection from any team willing to part ways with their multiple first-round selections.

Cleveland may be Charlotte's draft-day trade partner, but they shouldn't be.

This is why.

Addressing Needs

The Cavaliers do not need to move up to snag a quality shooting guard, or wing scorer, in this year's NBA Draft.

They may covet Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's stingy defense and winning attitude, but they can fill the same need without relinquishing their second first-round pick in the process.

If the Cavaliers stay put at No. 4 they will likely select Florida's Bradley Beal (draft's top 2-guard) or Harrison Barnes (draft's best wing scorer). Both players would give 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving a viable running mate in Cleveland's offense.

The Cavs finished the season 21-45, but showed definite progress from their miserable 2010 campaign. Irving was dynamic, Tristan Thompson showed progress and Cleveland took a step in the right direction. Giving Irving another offensive-minded player to work with is the way to go this year.

Kidd-Gilchrist fills a need, but he is not worth losing an extra pick for. A good draft does not just come down to addressing needs. Teams must fill those needs with value.

Denying Kidd-Gilchrist's fit with the Cavs is impossible. Justifying the sacrifice of the Cavs' No. 24 selection is equally difficult.

If the Cavaliers stand pat they can grab Beal or Barnes at No. 4, and find another hyper-athletic, raw wing later in the first round. Moe Harkless fits the bill, and will almost certainly be available at that juncture of the NBA Draft.

Deep Draft Class

This is the year you want to have multiple first-round selections. The Cavaliers are one of five teams lucky enough to have two opening-round choices to make.

Cleveland needs to covet that privilege. In other years, the No. 24 overall pick might not be a big deal. Maybe it won't be this year either, but the chances are higher this year due to the undeniable depth in this year's NBA draft class.

Sure, the Cavs will be taking a project late in the first round. At least that project will have upside.

Players like Doron Lamb, John Jenkins, Quincy Miller and Harkless will probably be available with the Cavs' second pick. All of these players would fill a need depending on which direction the Cavs go earlier in the first round.

The Bobcats would be smart to make a deal with Cleveland for this very reason. Charlotte is not going to make a dramatic jump next year regardless of their No. 2 pick. Making the switch to No. 4, and adding a late first-rounder, would make sense for a team in their desperate situation.

Cleveland is much closer to contention in the mediocre Eastern Conference. They can pave their way further by solidifying their rotation with two first-round selections, not just one. 

Kidd-Gilchrist may be a great player and a better winner, but Cleveland can afford to pass on the former Kentucky star.

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