If you have been watching the NBA Finals (yes, all three of you) it is pretty obvious that the Cavs have some holes in their roster. They could certainly use a true point guard, as well as a second scoring option that can create their own shot. Alas, the Cavs don't have any draft picks in the upcoming draft so they will have to use other means to fill the holes in their roster. Or do they? According to a report in the Akron-Beacon Journal the Cavs might be looking to pull off a very interesting move in order to pick up a draft pick:
"Even though the Cavs don't have draft picks in the upcoming NBA Draft on June 28, they still are going through all their normal scouting work and will be scheduling workouts in the coming days. Assistant General Manager Chris Grant, who runs the team's draft, attended the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando, Fla., during the Eastern Conference finals.
Multiple teams have extra first- and second-round picks. Grant said the Cavs might have the green light to buy a pick for as much as $3 million, but it would depend on who's available during different points in the draft. The Cavs might look to sign undrafted players to nonguaranteed contracts."
Straight cash for a pick? Interesting. Now, there are a number of teams with multiple picks, but the team that is most intriguing in this scenario is the Phoenix Suns, who own the 24th and 29th picks. It has been well documented that the Suns are going to be facing luxury tax problems next season, and that they may be looking to draft some international players with those two picks that they can stash overseas instead of paying out on two new guaranteed contracts next season. So what if the Cavs came calling at pick #24 with a $3 million offer? Not only would the Suns avoid the guaranteed contract that pick would bring, but they would also get a few million extra to go towards paying off their luxury tax penalty. The Cavs of course, could be tempted to make such an offer if a PG prospect such as Javaris Crittenton were to fall that far. It is food for thought by any stretch.
UPDATE: Thanks to reader Jeremy for this tip. The Suns actually did the same thing last year, selling the rights to the #27 pick (Sergio Rodriguez) for...you guessed it, exactly $3 million.
