Cavs leaning to picking Jabari Parker 1st; Parker would prefer that they don't

ESPN
Sources close to the Cavs told ESPN.com this weekend that the team is now leaning toward taking Parker with the No. 1 pick. However, it's far from a lock. Parker came in to work out on Friday in front of the Cavs' front office and ownership. Parker wasn't great. He was a bit heavy (he weighed in at 255 pounds), didn't shoot the ball well and got winded at times. Furthermore, two different sources told ESPN.com that Parker seemed a bit indifferent. One source said he thought Parker "tanked" the workout.

Why? A source says he strongly prefers to play in Milwaukee. The Cavs appear to be aware of this. "Jabari wasn't himself," one source said. "It was clear we weren't his first option.

Not a good look for the Cavs when players prefer to go to the Bucks over being picked #1 and playing in Cleveland. It is worth noting that Milwaukee is very close to Parker's Chicago hometown (not to mention that Mallory Edens lives there). I think at the end of the day that the Cavs draft Andrew Wiggins at #1, but who knows what that organization will do.

On a separate note, I think that getting drafted #2 is a lot better for a draftee. Much less pressure than going #1 and close to the same amount of money. You also can play the "I'm going to show people I should have been picked #1 card." If Anthony Bennett had been drafted #2, he wouldn't have gotten any of the flack he received during his rookie year. Otto Porter did nothing at #3 and no one cared. Bennett just had the stigma of being a #1 bust. That said, neither Wiggins or Parker will be busts, so the Cavs and Bucks are both sitting pretty.

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