artest420 wrote:But even if we keep the pick, does this cause issues with the fact that we can't trade our 1st in consecutive years?
Let's say we do the trade of our 1st for a top level player. That should launch us into the playoffs, essentially giving the Cavs our pick for 2013, thus resulting in us trading our 1st in back to back years.
I'm not an expert, but from my understanding, our 1st pick is tied up and untradeable until we give the Cavs our pick. I believe a loophole is that we can draft a player with the intent of trading him on draft day. I think this allows us to use our 1st and trade the player instead of the pick.
Well, crap...you're right. Did not think about that. (Trading a pick in consecutive years)
You are correct about waiting until after the draft to make a trade. That is why Jimmer had to go up and shake Stern's hand with a Bucks hat on. It was a three way trade and the Bobcats couldn't trade their pick until after everyone drafted. If I remember correctly, the Pau Gasol for Shareef Abdur Rahim trade (way back) happened the same.
The other way around it is to get Cleveland to agree to delay conveying the pick until 2014 by sweatening the pick somehow, possibly by less protection or by giving them a player. This is how we could do the trade midseason.
The whole topic still is applicable though...now it is just who you trade the pick for on draft day!