NBA Mock Draft Pick #8 — Trae Young, Guard, Oklahoma

SBNation’s Cleveland Cavaliers blog Fear the Sword explains the pick:

The Cavs are in a tricky position. Without knowing if LeBron James is staying or if he’s going, Cleveland could do anything and tell itself it made the right decision. Ultimately, the pick ended up being the player the most start potential of anyone still one the board: Trae Young.

Mikal Bridges was a consideration, as was trading the pick in some sort of deal. But in Young, the Cavs get a player who should be an elite offensive player in some capacity. If LeBron stays, he can back up George Hill and replace Jordan Clarkson’s minutes with someone who can dribble and create their own shot efficiently. If LeBron goes, Young can be the first part of a rebuild that will likely see the Cavs trade away most of their veterans and bottom out over the next few seasons.

This was not an easy pick, but the Cavs need star power regardless of what comes next. Young represents the best chance of landing that at No. 8 overall.

1. Suns DEANDRE AYTON
2. Kings LUKA DONCIC
3. Hawks JAREN JACKSON
4. Grizzlies MARVIN BAGLEY III
5. Mavs WENDELL CARTER JR.
6. Magic MO BAMBA
7. Bulls MICHAEL PORTER JR.
8. Cavaliers TRAE YOUNG
9. Knicks MIKAL BRIDGES
10. Sixers ZHAIRE SMITH
11. Mavs MILES BRIDGES
12. Clippers SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
13. Magic ELIE OKOBO
14. Nuggets KEVIN KNOX
15. Wizards ROBERT WILLIAMS
16. Suns COLLIN SEXTON
17. Bucks LONNIE WALKER
18. Spurs TROY BROWN
19. Hawks DE’ANTHONY MELTON
20. Wolves KEVIN HUERTER
21. Jazz CHANDLER HUTCHISON
22. Bulls JOSH OKOGIE
23. Pacers KEITA BATES-DIOP
24. Nets GRAYSON ALLEN
25. Lakers AARON HOLIDAY
26. Sixers JACOB EVANS
27. Celtics JEROME ROBINSON
28. Warriors KHYRI THOMAS
29. Blazers DONTE DIVINCENZO
30. Hawks MELVIN FRAZIER

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