Report: Cavs open to dealing higher pick, but not for short-term answer

With LeBron James' future with the Cleveland Cavaliers up in the air, the team is straddling the line between chasing another NBA Finals appearance and preparing for another possible LeBron-less future.

The key asset the Cavaliers own in the event the latter comes to fruition is the likely lottery pick in this June's draft, which they received from the Boston Celtics (via the Brooklyn Nets) in the Kyrie Irving trade. As such, the Cavs would only consider trading that selection for a younger player - and not a "short-term answer," league sources told the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto.

That means Cleveland apparently wouldn't surrender that pick in pursuit of a player like DeAndre Jordan, who turns 30 over the summer and can opt out of his contract after this season.

However, the Cavaliers reportedly would consider dealing their own first-round pick (currently slotted at No. 25) in exchange for a short-term solution.

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Though Jordan has been linked to the Cavs in trade speculation, many assume Cleveland would need to part with the Nets pick to complete a deal. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who is rumored to be calling personnel shots for the organization over rookie general manager Koby Altman, is reportedly "fixated" on James' decision and its impact on the team.