Cleveland Cavaliers

via i2.cdn.turner.com In the words of Magic Johnson, "The basketball Gods are smiling down on Cleveland". Yes they are! After suffering through a devastating lose of the best player of this generation in humiliating fashion, the future looked gloomy and filled with mystery. Looking back on that night July 8, I can recall sitting in my brothers basement watching "The Decision" and feeling so lost after hearing Lebron's decision. Thinking to myself "What now?" We had Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Antawn Jamison, and Andy V as our starters in the next season. We were the laughingstock of the entire NBA/country. Fast forward 3 years and I can say that it sure feels good to be a Wine and Gold fan. By winning the Draft Lottery, the Cavs not only won the first pick in the draft, but they have the chance to improve the roster in so many ways. Drafting Nerlens Noel is the for sure way, but free agency is now a real possibility for the Cavs as well as making a blockbuster trade for a proven star. We can take any one of these directions to improve, and every route will lead to a major piece to our puzzle (if the situation is managed correctly, of course). Lets examine what possibilities lie ahead for the Cavs, and determine which you guys think is the best option. Option: Draft Nerlens Noel, sit him for the year, get one more top pick in 2014 Many of you will not like the idea of picking high again next year. However, lets look closer at the idea of picking again in 2014. Nerlens Noel will not be ready for start of season, and he expects to be back by January next year. So, if the Cavs were to hold him back as long as possible and we finish season with a bottom 5 record, we would be guaranteed at least a top 5 pick. In 2014's draft, getting a top 5 pick is just as good as hitting this years lottery. I will say that the whole "this draft is weak" thing is so overblown. How many times did we hear 2011 draft was weak, then we snagged Kyrie, who along with many others such as Klay, Tristan, Parsons, Faried were all studs. Then, in 2014 you have a young roster of Kyrie, Nerlens (who I think will be one of best shot-blockers off the bat), 2014 lottery pick, possibly Dion if not traded, possibly Tristan, and whatever surrounding pieces. That would be a young contender for years to come. The Cavs really have nothing to lose in this draft as long they are exciting to watch next year while losing Im good with one more losing season if it means we get a top pick next year. Plus, with Nerlens sitting out and other variables, we would have a built-in excuse as to why we didnt make the playoffs. Option: Trade pick for proven star A real possibility is that the Cavaliers will move the pick for a proven star. With so many assets in players, draft picks, and cap space, their seems to be something big coming soon. One name that consistently comes up is Kevin Love, who I love (pun intended). I am extremely saddened that GM David Kahn got fired before this draft because I am convinced by his track record that we could have stolen Kevin Love easily with this pick alone. If we needed to throw in a player, we give them Shaun Livingston (the man seriously has a love for collecting PG'S). On a serious note, I think the Cavs could acquire Kevin Love and Derrick Williams for the #1 pick,#19, Alonzo Gee, and Andy. I do believe that either Dion or Tristan would have to be involved for Minn to accept so if I had to choose one I would say give up Tristan and keep Dion. Kevin Love would fit perfectly next to Kyrie Irving in the P-N-R, allowing Kyrie more space to get into the lane and kick or finish. His assist would go up at least to 8-10 a game, with other capable shooters being added to the mix. Also, maybe Derrick Williams will become a serviceable 3 until we find a better solution. I have heard Demarcus Cousins name floated out there, but the fact that he has such a bad reputation dating back to college is not a good thing

Kentucky coach John Calipari's respect for the Cavaliers front office is one of the reasons he hopes they take Wildcats center Nerlens Noel in the NBA draft.

It's an understatement to say it's time for the Cavs to stop being happy-go-lucky losers, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

Cleveland Cavaliers stats Cleveland Cavaliers stats Here is my problem with taking Nerlens Noel at 1. He'll make an impact on defense but on offense his game will be limited to say the least. He could get some boards and put backs but his game needs a lot of work, too much so to justify taking him #1 overall especially with a bum knee. I think Greg Oden as a free agent could be aquired at a minimum to fit that need and would bring more to the table sooner than Nerlens with little risk. Alternativly we could also couple some of our picks together to move up in the draft and get a solid big man in this years draft. I think we should use the pick on Ben Mclemore. He is crazy athletic and is already as good a defender as Otto Porter and i think can be built into a great defender with some work. On the offensive end i think he's so much better than Porter it's scary. His jumper is silky smooth, he has a huge vertical and he can dribble well enough to get to the hole as well as create his own shot. Sure he disappered at times last year but he's a freshman. It happens. Drafting Porter just because he fits a need is a terrible idea and gets teams in trouble (see Sam Bowie). Mclemore's ceiling is way higher and makes him the best player in the draft IMO. Another argument i hear for Porter is that we took Dion Waiters last year so we can't take Mclemore because he plays the same position. Having a good 6th man coming off the bench is a huge asset in thsi league and i think Dion's game makes him perfectly suited for it. He can come in and provide a huge boost with Mclemore or Kyrie on the bench. Alternativly we could move McKlemore to the 3 and have Dion at 2 and play small ball which has been proven can be sucessfull in the NBA. To summurize if it was up to me (which it's clearly not, not trying to say i'm a GM by any means)in my opinion I think we should take Mclemore at #1, pick up Greg Oden/ couple picks together to move up and get a big man, and pick up a 3 guard in free agency 2014/ aquire one in a trade. Just wanted to get some opinion's on this/ Mclemore in general. ----- Poll Would you be ok with Ben McLemore at #1 Yes No draft Noel No draft Porter No trade the pick 7 votes | Results

The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw joins Cinesport's Noah Coslov to discuss what winning the NBA draft lottery means for the Cleveland Cavaliers and what they should do with the pick.

Most say Kentucky center Noel will join the Cavs, though Kansas guard Ben McLemore and Georgetown small forward Otto Porter get mentions, too.

Who will the Cavs pick No. 1 in this year's NBA draft? Chris Fedor gives his thoughts with version 1.0 of his NBA Mock Draft.

With the Cavs winning the #1 pick last night in the NBA Draft Lottery, the Cavs management definitely have a lot to consider with the #1 pick? Should they draft Nerlens Noel? Otto Porter Jr.? Ben McLemore? Someone completely different? I am one of the people who believe that with no true #1 talent in the draft, the Cavaliers should look into trading the pick. With that being said, there is some different rumors floating around, so I decided to bring my own ideas into good trade the Cavs could make with the #1 pick. Keep in mind that these are my opinions, and you might see some assets that could be added and removed from each deal or just find some deals to be completely unrealistic. Trade Idea #1 Cavaliers receive: DeMarcus Cousins, Pick #7 Kings receive: Alonzo Gee, Pick #1, 19, 31, 33 (possibly future pick) Trade Idea #2 Cavaliers receive: Nick Batum, Pick #10 Trail Blazers receive: Pick #1, Pick #19 Trade Idea #3 Cavaliers receive: Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, #2 Pick Orlando recieve: Alonzo Gee, #1 Pick *Note: I would prefer Tobias Harris in this deal, but I felt that Harkless would be the one more likely to be dealt. Leave your thoughts or own trade ideas in comments. With the Cavs winning the #1 pick last night in the NBA Draft Lottery, the Cavs management definitely have a lot to consider with the #1 pick? Should they draft Nerlens Noel? Otto Porter Jr.? Ben McLemore? Someone completely different? I am one of the people who believe that with no true #1 talent in the draft, the Cavaliers should look into trading the pick. With that being said, there is some different rumors floating around, so I decided to bring my own ideas into good trade the Cavs could make with the #1 pick. Keep in mind that these are my opinions, and you might see some assets that could be added and removed from each deal or just find some deals to be completely unrealistic. Trade Idea #1 Cavaliers receive: DeMarcus Cousins, Pick #7 Kings receive: Alonzo Gee, Pick #1, 19, 31, 33 (possibly future pick) Trade Idea #2 Cavaliers receive: Nick Batum, Pick #10 Trail Blazers receive: Pick #1, Pick #19 Trade Idea #3 Cavaliers receive: Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, #2 Pick Orlando recieve: Alonzo Gee, #1 Pick *Note: I would prefer Tobias Harris in this deal, but I felt that Harkless would be the one more likely to be dealt. Leave your thoughts or own trade ideas in comments. Poll What should the Cavs do with the #1 pick? Draft Noel Draft McElmore Draft Porter Draft someone else Trade pick 6 votes | Results

Gather round! Gather round! via www.thegreatoutdoorstore.net Everyone relax and take a seat around the fire. Old man Witmi is going to explain what the Cavs winning the lottery means for our beloved Cavaliers. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, at one point, Aviate and Vottomatic are going to try and kill me, but if we stick together we’ll get through this. #1. The Cavs are going to select Nerlens Noel. They are not going to take Alex Len; they are not going to take Macklemore, or Otto Porter. I maintain this is the only pick they will seriously consider. Anything else you see or hear will be nothing more than a smoke screen generated by Chris Grant. At one point 2 years ago, some people were convinced we would take Derrick Williams, he was never seriously considered. via thebigmanblog.files.wordpress.com #2. The Cavs will not trade the pick for DeMarcus Cousins, or anyone else. The advantages of the rookie wage scale will trump the allure of any existing veteran. I think we should listen long and hard if we get offered Demarcus Cousins, but Demarcus is going to get paid serious money in about a year, the Cavs will opt to preserve their cap space. I do not know if this is the best idea, but I assure you, this will happen. Old man WitMi sees far and true. #3. Tristan Thompson just became expendable If Nerlens is the defensive player we believe he will be, TT is not a good fit beside him. The Cavs should explore moving TT for a stretch 4, immediately. The Cavs will need a PF that can move out of the paint and still score or the lane will constantly be clogged for Kyrie and Dion. We all love, TT, I love TT, we should play him for another year to show improvement, then move him for a piece that better fits our future roster. I know everyone will hate this, but it’s the best course of action. Memphis’s defensive minded front court only works because both Gasol and Zbo have really solid offensive games. Gasol steps out to the free throw line and hits that set shot an incredibly high % of the time. ZBO is an incredible low-block player. Tristan is none of these. If TT is smart, and I like to think that he is, he is currently shooting 1,000 jumpers a day trying to develop a midrange shot. His spot on this roster depends on it. #4. The Cavs are now a serious contender for the Lebron James sweepstakes in a year. Until last night, I never seriously entertained Lebron returning. Not once, not seriously at least. Now, with 2 #1 picks at opposite ends of the court, this Cavs team is now a very attractive option for Lebron, as he would fit the existing roster perfectly. With one existing elite option at PG, 1 potentially elite option at center, and an above average SG, the Cavs have the best young roster in the NBA.(Yeah I said it) I thought Nerlens was the Cavs only shot at possibly attracting him back here, I now believe this is possible. I am not saying likely, but it IS possible. #5. The Cavs will resign Ellington, then trade for a player, or spend at least 8 million in free agency this summer. I can’t predict who, but we will make significant additions to the back end of our roster. We will now start to pay role players who can legitimately contribute off of our bench. There is a lot of value on the cheap available, and the Cavs will begin to make their surge into the post-season. #6. Nerlens will look awful for the first two months he plays. I mean really awful, he will not know where to stand or what to do, and he will get bullied by bigger players. Analytics will post 3 times a day about how we should have taken Otto Porter, who will win rookie of the year with the Wizards. The last month of the season and into the playoffs, Nerlens will shine as a weak side defender. Nerlens ability to defend the rim is absolutely incredible; I don’t understand why everyone is losing sight of this. He will be able to block shots right away in the NBA. This portion of his game

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Draft Lottery for the second time in three years.