Breaking down your Kyrie Irving trade questions

What will they do with that draft pick?
Trade or make the pick?

— Willie Hood (@WillHoo99) August 25, 2017

Great question, and the answer remains unknowable by the Cavs design. If the right option comes along, the Cavs could trade the pick. Ultimately, it gives them leverage. They have another asset if they think they can trade for a big name to better compete with the Warriors, or to increase the chances of James staying here in free agency next summer.

They can also use the pick to prepare for life after James. Whether that life comes because he leaves in free agency, or because of his retirement, one thing is clear: James is closer to the end of his career as a Cavalier than to the beginning of it, and the organization needs to prepare for the next phase without him.

Don’t expect them to trade the pick right away. In fact, I think it’s more likely that they get a second pick from Boston (see answer to the first question) than I think it is that they trade this one, especially given the fact that the pick is unprotected.

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