BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- For LeBron James, the Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick was not the centerpiece of what the Cavaliers received in return for Kyrie Irving.

"It might not even be that good of a pick," James told cleveland.com.

The Cavs traded Irving to the Boston Celtics Aug. 22 for two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets' first rounder. A week later, the Celtics added a 2020 second-round pick from Miami for the Cavs.

The Nets' pick is so highly coveted because the upcoming draft is expected to be deep, and Brooklyn has been one of the league's worst teams. The Nets ended up with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, but the Celtics owned that pick, too, and ultimately traded it to the Philadelphia 76ers.

There is plenty of time for things to turn south for Brooklyn, which finished with the worst record in the NBA last year. The Nets have already lost Jeremy Lin for the season to a knee injury. Nevertheless, they currently share the same record (3-2) as the Cavs.

And of course Brooklyn beat the Cavs, 112-107, on Wednesday.

"We're running around here worrying about getting the Brooklyn pick, they might want our pick," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said afterwards.

The Cavs would only consider trading the Brooklyn pick for an elite player. They wouldn't use it to acquire someone who is merely good and available, like the Suns' Eric Bledsoe.

Future draft picks are just not something James, other players, and coaches contemplate. James said "I don't look at it at all right now" when asked if he followed the Nets' record because of the pick, because "it's too early in the season.

"When it gets closer I'll probably look," James said.

The Cavs play the Nets four times this season, with the next meeting Nov. 22 in Cleveland.

"I mean, four games out of 82 is not a lot, but it is four games that like you said you have your hands on them," Lue said. "But, we gotta play better."