Cavs select Duke's Jones, trade him to Minnesota for 2 picks

By foxsports
Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:21 p.m. ET

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- Not only did the Cavaliers not pick first overall this season in the NBA draft, they even traded their only first-round pick.

Amazing what winning will do.

The Cavs used the No. 24 overall pick to take Duke point guard Tyus Jones, then traded him to Minnesota for two second-round picks, a person familiar with the move told the Associated Press on Thursday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced.

After the Cavs lost to Golden State in the NBA Finals, general manager David Griffin said he wanted to mimic the Warriors' model and add more versatile playmakers to Cleveland's roster in order to help megastar LeBron James.

Griffin might be able to add depth with the two picks acquired from Minnesota and the No. 53 pick the Cavs already owned.

However, a bigger factor in the trade was that it will allow the Cavs to maintain some financial flexibility because they won't be locked into paying guaranteed money to a first-round pick.

This was the first time in three years the Cavaliers didn't have the No. 1 pick. It was a welcomed change for a franchise again transformed by the return of James, who led the Cavs back to the finals this season and figures to have them in title contention for the foreseeable future.

However, that could depend on what else happens this summer.

On Wednesday, forward Kevin Love opted out of the final year of his contract and will become a free agent on July 1. James, too, will opt out next week and hit the market, but he's expected to re-sign with the Cavs, who were without Love and All-Star guard Kyrie Irving in the finals and lost to Golden State in six games.

The Cavs are also waiting to hear from guard J.R. Smith, who has until midnight to inform them whether he will exercise his option for next season.

Last week, Griffin said the team intends to keep its core from last year and hopes to re-sign Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova.