It's no secret that the Cleveland Cavaliers are open to trading the No. 5 overall pick in the NBA Draft. With the wine and gold soon on the clock, though, it's still unclear whether or not Koby Altman and company will stay put or trade down. According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers have received interest in the fifth selection from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics.
#Cavs have had inquiries now from Minnesota, Chicago and Boston for the fifth pick, according to league sources. The price hasn't been right. Yet.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) June 20, 2019
If Cleveland ultimately hangs onto the No. 5 pick, the team is expected to select Vanderbilt University Darius Garland. He played just five games for the Commodores last season due to a meniscus injury suffered in late November, averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on elite shooting marks of 53.7 percent overall and 47.8 percent from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves already moved up on Thursday, trading the No. 11 pick and big man Dario Saric to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for No. 6. Minnesota is known to be targeting a point guard, and given the discrepancy between presumptive second overall pick Ja Morant and Garland compared to other prospects at their position, it's possible team president Gersson Rosas could still be working the phones with the Cavaliers.
The Bulls, picking seventh, are also likely targeting a point guard. Though they would also prefer Garland, North Carolina's Coby White would make sense for Chicago if the team decides to stand pat rather than move up.
The Celtics, meanwhile, reportedly attempted to trade for the No. 4 pick before the New Orleans Pelicans sent it to the Atlanta Hawks, who will reportedly select Virginia forward DeAndre Hunter.
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