Do the Cavs draft Trae Young with first round Brooklyn pick?

The Cavs have managed to build a championship contending roster while keeping their Brooklyn pick acquired in the Kyrie Irving trade. Will they draft Trae Young? Or is there another rookie prospect in the loaded draft they need?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a unique opportunity that has never occurred since LeBron James ascended to the ranks of the NBA's best player; a top 10 draft selection. Thanks to the Kyrie Irving trade, Cleveland owns the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick this year. The Cavs have some major holes, and thankfully, this draft class is absolutely loaded with players at those positions.

The Cavs are in a great position to add a young player that can contribute immediately to an NBA championship contender, as well as give the team a young star to build around once LeBron James is done playing. That is unless the Cavs decide to trade the pick for an established veteran.

But if they decide to keep it, which player would be the best fit?

The Nets' pick is currently projected to be #7 overall today, but the seven worst NBA teams are separated by just one game in the standings, and the Cavs have had some wild draft lottery luck in the past. A higher pick would obviously be preferable, but even in the back half of the top ten, there will be very good players available. This draft is the major reason Cleveland accepted the deal they did for Kyrie Irving, as the 2018 draft is truly a special one.

DeAndre Ayton

At this point, Ayton appears to be the clear favorite to go first overall. At 7'1″ 250lbs, he possesses ideal size for an NBA center. He will be just 19 years old when his name is called, so he still has a few years to grow and fill out his frame. His athleticism and quickness is extremely rare for a player his size and allows him to beat defenders with speed and strength. He is averaging 19.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 61% from the field and 33% from three-point range. His offensive game is still developing but already exceptional. His ability to space the floor will be incredibly helpful to any NBA team. Defensively, he needs work, but his frame and athleticism will allow him to develop into an elite rim-protector if he puts in the work. Ayton is probably the ideal player for Cleveland, but unless they score a top-three pick, it's unlikely that they'll have the chance to take him.

Jaren Jackson, Jr.

Jackson is a 6'11” 242lbs power forward who won't turn 19 until September. His stats are impressive: 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks, and 44% from three. What makes these numbers fantastic is that he averages them in just 22 minutes per game. Compared to Ayton who plays 32 minutes per game, Jackson's stats are extremely good. His shooting ability is unheard of from a player his size, and the couples that with consistent defense, including fantastic rim protection. A PF by trade, Jackson should have no problem sliding over to center and playing next to Kevin Love.

Michael Porter, Jr.

Porter Jr. was the top recruit of the 2017 season, and Missouri was thrilled to land him. Unfortunately, he played all of two minutes before suffering a season-ending back injury. He remains an elite NBA prospect, however, due to his 6'10” 215lbs size and shooting ability; he made 67% of his three-point attempts as a senior in high school. His athleticism will be intriguing for teams, but he remains a huge risk.

Marvin Bagley III

At 6'11” 234lbs, Bagley III is a prototype forward. His athleticism allows him to score in the post with ease, and he is a decent three-point shooter as well, hitting those at a 35% clip this season. His defense could use quite a bit of work, however, and as the Cavs already have Kevin Love and LeBron James, he would not start. If the Cavs have a relatively high pick, there should be better fits available. He is reminiscent of current Cavalier Jeff Green in his size and skillset. Green hasn't been able to reach his vast potential, but perhaps Bagley will.

Luca Doncic

Doncic is the most hyped European prospect since Dirk Nowitzki. At 6'8″ 230lbs, he has prototype size for a wing, but his athletic ability allows him to play either guard spot as well. He is an above-average passer and shooter, but what really sets him apart from other prospects is his driving ability. Even with contact, he makes scoring on layups look effortless. His body control in mid-air is special. Defensively, he is able to lock down many European players, but the NBA is a completely different league. Doncic may struggle at first, but he should end up being a perennial all-star. He doesn't necessarily fill a need for Cleveland, but he would be a welcome addition to the team.

Mohamed Bamba

The Cavs desperately need rim protection, and Bamba would certainly provide that. At 7'0″ 225lbs, he is an imposing presence inside, and his incredible 8′ wingspan has helped him to average 4 blocks and 11.1 rebounds per game. His three-point shooting isn't fantastic(28%), but it does mean it can be improved. Currently, he is a better defender than Ayton, but does not have the polished offensive game. Bamba would greatly improve the Cavs' defense, and give them a player to develop offensively.

Trae Young

While the Cavs are now a deeper team, the one thing they have been missing since Kyrie Irving was traded. Trae Young would fix that problem. The nineteen-year-old is averaging 28.3 points and 9.2 assists per game. He was receiving insane amounts of hype early in the season but has hit a rough patch recently. He has had games where he shoots 56% from three, and others where misses all of his shots from deep. He has been compared to Stephen Curry, but his lack of consistency has prevented him from joining the top tier of draft prospects. He is a huge risk, but the reward is great. If the Cavs are unable to land a center, Young may be their best option if the pick is at the bottom of the top ten.

The Cavs will have many choices with their prized draft pick, and are in a great position. If LeBron James leaves, they will have a young player to rebuild around. If James stays, they will have a player to help the team compete for another NBA Finals title, as well as preparing for James' eventual retirement.