Cavaliers Considering Trading Nets' 2018 1st-Round Pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers would consider trading the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick in the 2018 NBA draft, which they acquired from the Boston Celtics alongside Isaiah Thomas and other assets as part of the blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade.

On Thursday, Sam Amico of Amico Hoops passed along comments from Cavs general manager Koby Altman, who said the front office is keeping all options on the table with the "immensely valuable pick."

"When we acquired it, we had every intention of keeping it and using it," Altman said. "But I also think we have a responsibility to see to what's out there. I think there will be tremendous interest. We have a responsibility to listen to calls."

The Cavaliers face some tough decisions heading into the 2017-18 season.

They must decide whether to go all-in on the upcoming campaign, highlighted by potentially moving the Nets' draft pick for an impact asset, or hedge their bets with an eye toward the future given the uncertain status of LeBron James, Thomas and other players.

James, Thomas, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye and Derrick Rose can all become unrestricted free agents after next season, per Spotrac. If Cleveland moves the Brooklyn draft choice without getting a star locked into a long-term deal, a mass exodus of talent could occur next summer.

Cavs senior director of basketball operations Brock Aller told Amico Hoops another option is trading their own first-round selection, which is projected to land in the bottom five compared to potentially the top five for the Nets' pick, for a useful role player.

"Take Kyle Korver for example," he said. "We traded a first-round pick for the guy, and he's turned into a valuable piece for us. So our picks provide us opportunity going into the season, or at the trade deadline, to have a lot of assets at our disposal."

Waiting until the deadline might be the best course of action. Thomas' availability heading into the season is unknown as he works to recover from a hip injury. Cleveland needs to know whether he can return to an All-Star level before it can seriously consider challenging the favored Golden State Warriors for the 2018 title.

Ultimately, there's no doubting the value of the Nets' draft pick with Michael Porter, Marvin Bagley, Mohamed Bamba and DeAndre Ayton headlining a strong 2018 draft class. Trading it for a current star would increase the pressure to win a championship next season.