The Cleveland Cavaliers are down to a final list of three players for the No. 1 pick and hope to make a decision by Thursday morning, according to a source.
The list is expected to include Alex Len, Nerlens Noel and either Otto Porter or Ben McLemore. Chad Ford reported on Monday that it could come down to Len and Noel.
But the Cavs are also exploring trading the top pick since they’re not in love with any one player who in a “normal” year wouldn’t be a top pick. According to a source, Cleveland offered the No. 1 pick, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters to try and land Minnesota’s Kevin Love. But new Timberwolves president Flip Saunders won’t move Love.
The Cavs are fond of Thompson and Waiters -- the latter being one of the top six rookies last season -- but Cleveland would love to get an All-Star forward to pair with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.
The problem for Cleveland is there aren’t any takers for the top pick at the moment.
Elsewhere, a source said Oklahoma City was interested in packaging its two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 29) and Kendrick Perkins for a top-five pick. But the Thunder have had no takers either.
Meanwhile, Dallas is openly shopping its No. 13 pick, but is having a hard time finding a quality deal.
There are a still a number of moves that could occur before the draft, like Golden State trying to purchase a second-round pick. But as of Tuesday afternoon, there was a lot of talk, but not much action.
