NBA News Wire

Calls coming in for Cavaliers’ top pick

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Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin said Wednesday teams throughout the league have been contacting him about potential trades for the No. 1 draft pick.

Griffin said the phone started ringing immediately after the Cavaliers won the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night. He said will be keep an open mind leading into the June 26 draft.

“I actually got calls right afterward, while I was standing there doing media,” Griffin said during an interview on ESPN Cleveland’s “The Really Big Show.” “Teams were already reaching out and texting, so I think it will be an active period of time.”

The Cavs have won the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second straight year and third time in the past four overall. On Tuesday night, they moved up from the ninth spot despite just a 1.7 percent chance of winning the top selection.

The top picks in this year’s draft are expected to include two Kansas teammates: center Joel Embiid and forward Andrew Wiggins. Other highly touted prospects include Kentucky forward Julius Randle and Duke forward Jabari Parker.

Sources told ESPN.com that the 7-foot Embiid is the early front-runner for the top pick as long as his back is OK — unless Griffin decides a trade would serve the team best.

“I’ve said many times that I’d trade me if it made us better,” he said. “We’re going to be open-minded to whatever it is that advances our cause the furthest.”