Cleveland Cavaliers

With the first pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers have the ability to choose whoever they want. Most people think that they will take Nerlens Noel. But there's also the possibility that they consider Otto Porter with the top pick, according to the Washington Post. This report suggests that the Cavs are not completely sold on Nerlens Noel and will look into drafting Porter instead. Now, there's a difference between "considering" Porter and actually drafting him. I would expect the Cavs to consider several players, especially with the injury question marks surrounding Noel. Until they get a good look at Noel's knee and have the opportunity to talk face to face with him, they should keep investigating other options. "But there is a possibility that Porter, arguably the most NBA-ready player among the top prospects, might not be around when the Wizards pick third. A source with knowledge of the Cavaliers' thinking said Porter is under consideration to go No. 1." As you know, I think the Cavs should just take Nerlens Noel, so this report scares me a little bit. But at the same time, it really shouldn't come as much of a surprised. In any front office, there will be differing of opinions. I'm sure there are some people who think Porter is the way to go while others are convinced it's Noel. Heck, we may even hear rumors about taking Anthony Bennett or Ben McLemore first overall before we actually get to the draft. Another somewhat farfetched theory is that the Cavs would leak this as a smokescreen. What sense does it make to deploy a smokescreen when you're the #1 pick? Well if a team like the Wizards has their heart set of getting Porter, a report like this might worry them enough to pick up the phone and try to move up to draft the forward out of Georgetown. I'm not saying that's what this is, but in a draft where there isn't a super obvious #1 pick, anything is possible.

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I have seen a lot of traffic regarding Kansas Jayhawk SG Ben McLemore. Some have been for and some have been against drafting him. I've seen some people saying to trade Waiters in order to draft McLemore and improve another draft pick. There are a lot of things to consider when we do this. 1 - Tale of the Tape: McLemore is a slightly longer and taller player, but also is 30lbs lighter. Both players have adequate height and length to play the position (offensively and defensively) in the NBA. Ultimately, the .75" in height is nearly negligible. Same with the .5" in wingspan. The 2.5" standing reach advantage that McLemore has over Waiters is a more impressive number though. McLemore also showed up in better shape when it was time to go through the testing, but we did find out that Waiters was nursing an ankle injury, so I'm not sure what to say about the difference in body fat (5.0 vs 8.5%). Because Dion shut down interviews (and pretty much everything else) for the combine, we have absolutely no athletic measurements to go on. Having seen his quick first step in an NBA game and his ability to get to the rim (though struggle to finish) against NBA talent, I'd like to think that athleticism is absolutely not a problem. 2 - Tale of the Stats: Let's start with college...and on that, let's make note of something. McLemore was an older Freshman. He's a year younger than Dion...and Dion has two years of college experience and a year of NBA experience. His body was far more mature than your typical freshman. Regardless, he played more minutes per game last year than Dion did in either year. McLemore was clearly the more efficient scorer and shooter than Waiters. That's taking into account ONLY Waiters Sophomore campaign. McLemore scored 3.2 more points on 1.2 more shot attempts. He has a really good FT% and was close enough to the 50-40-90 line to make you think he could (with a lot of work) threaten that at the next level. McLemore also was a significantly better rebounder. Where Dion trumps Ben is in the AST:TO ratio. Dion never had a negative AST:TO ratio. Rebound numbers for SG's can often be attributed to the system a player is playing in. Particularly defensive rebounds. If Dion was asked to leak out at Syracuse looking for fastbreak numbers, he will get less boards. 3 - Tale of the Team: Here's where things start to get less "hard line" than others. You can't question that McLemore was a more efficient scorer/shooter. You can't question that Waiters was better playmaker for his team. You can't question that McLemore is a taller/longer player. From here, we have to delve into how said players will fit into the team. 3a - We start McLemore and make Waiters the 6th man. Starting another rookie SG isn't really all that great of an idea as they are rarely efficient. Dion is just behind that second group, but is clearly ahead of the 3rd pack. Waiters has also gone on record and said he does not want to be a 6th man. He did that in college where coaches have all the power. In the pros, he will find his power very soon. I can see the idea that having Dion come off the bench and play Manu Ginobli/James Harden role or us is enticing. I can see where McLemore's sweet jumper helps Kyrie out on offense too. It makes sense. It is short sighted. (We'll get to that.) 3b - We start Dion and have McLemore come off the bench. A rookie SG with a good stroke should do well off the bench. We can cycle Dion and Kyrie around McLemore (always having a ball-handler with him) and still have a nice lineup. McLemore will make both Kyrie and Dion better...and when Dion/Kryie play together...if one is tired, the other can handle the rock to give him a pseudo-on court break. 3c - We move McLemore to the 3. Seriously, I've seen this. It's ridiculous. He's 190lbs and under 6'6. There's no way McLemore is guarding a 3. Only in a small ball lineup could we make this work...but w

With the extreme good fortune of a lottery victory, the Cavaliers find themselves in a luxurious position.  The League’s youngest All-Star, another #1 pick, two other recent top-fives, cap space, the league’s most draft picks over the next five years. There are interesting factors at play regarding the Nerlens Noel winning-ticket though.  First, the entirety of Cavalier-dom – management, coaches, players, writing hacks, avid blog readers, and casual fans – all expect a step forward next year.  Brian Windhorst reports that the Cavs are more than open to shopping the pick, and Nick Gilbert is adamant that he doesn’t want to be back on a podium in 2014.  And who is the man for helping in that task?  A nineteen year old that will miss the first two months of the season — unless the Cavs decide to throw everyone a curveball and draft Otto Porter #1.  We’ll pretend that possibility doesn’t exist for now. Trending in the opposite direction, rebuilding teams that are not ready for a playoff push next year, and aging teams looking to rebuild, could see drafting Noel as a perfect opportunity.  Get an uber-athletic seven-foot tall player that won’t help much next year?  Position themselves for the Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes of 2014?  For a handful of teams, tankapalooza 2014 could be every bit as pitiful as the woeful displays of 2012.  And trading for Noel would be a perfect place to start. Obviously with an asset as coveted as the draft’s first pick, fans can dare to dream big.  What fantastical ideas are the C:tB writers thinking about? Kevin: The easy targets to think about are Al Horford and Kevin Love.  The Hawks seem at a complete turning point where a quick infusion of Nerlens Noel followed by all-out suckitude in pursuit of Wiggins may appear to be a great plan.  Horford has ten more good years in him, averaged 15, 10 and 3 over the last four years, plays solid defense, and presents a great fit next to Tristan in the frontcourt.  The Wolves may consider trading Love considering he has an opt-out after next year and only played in two-third of their games over the last four years.  Would their new management consider starting fresh with a Rubio, Pekovic, Noel, 25% chance of Wiggins, foundation?  On the upside, obviously Love is a 24 year old with All-NBA second team on his resume. For Horford, offer the pick straight up.  For Love, throw in a top-ten protected 2014 first rounder.  If those offers are light, I’m not ready to turn the team upside anyways.  Also, I am unsure what other team offers a better package for Horford than the #1 pick. Next, I’ll go truly wild.  How about: Cavs get: Ryan Anderson, Meyers Leonard, 10th pick Pelicans get: 3rd pick (Porter), Wizards 2014 1st rounder (lightly protected), Trevor Booker Wizards get: 1st pick (Noel) Trail Blazers get: 6th pick (Bennett), Tyler Zeller I’m not sure what I accomplished here, but it was fun.  The Cavs add a big, young body and a veteran, marksman stretch four.  With the tenth pick, the Cavs pick…Cody Zeller?  Then Sergey Karasev at 19…and sign Ellington, a veteran small forward, and a back-up point guard in free agency.  I promise I have not been drinking. Or what about, first pick for Pau Gasol plus the rights to switch first round picks with the Lakers every year from 2018 through 2050?  That’s against the rules? Nate: Noel will miss two months of the season?  You’re assuming everything goes perfectly.  I’m betting he won’t be back till mid february at the very earliest.  Noel is the perfect player for a team looking to tank: he won’t help you next year.  As for your trade, I don’t think the Blazers trade Meyers Leonard, and I think the Pelicans keep Anderson who’s the perfect forward to play with Anthony Davis.  Are you sure you haven’t been drinking?  The real problem though is you’re targeting teams stuck in the middle, not teams that are trending down hard.  I’m talking teams that need to blow it up like Bruc

I will be joining the legendary Ken Carman on CBS Cleveland 92.3 FM The Fan around 8:20 this evening. We will be discussing the long list of tremendous opportunities the Cavaliers have to improve their roster this summer, beginning with the NBA Draft on June 27. It's always a great time talking basketball with Ken and I'm looking forward to the conversation. Be sure to tune in, or at least don't turn the show off when I come on. You can click here to stream the Ken Carman Show live.

The Cavaliers have a load of options when it comes to the number 1 pick. Do we trade it? Draft Noel? Or do something completely different? What about this scenario: 1. Trade Back with Phoenix Cavs Get: #5 Overall, 2014 1st Rounder (unprotected), Marcin Gortat Phoenix Recieves: #1 Overall, Alonzo Gee 2. Draft Victor Oladipo Crazy athlete that allows him to play either the 2 or the 3. Lock-down defender with amazing finishing ability. While his jump shot is a project, Mike Brown will fall in love with this kid's work ethic, athletic ability,and his great defensive presence. And even if the Cavs would get a high pick with Phoenix's 2014 lottery or their own pick, he would make a great sixth man behind Dion. 3. Trade up with Dallas Cavs Gets: #13 Overall Dallas Gets: #19, 31, 33 Overall 4. Draft Steven Adams or Rudy Gobert While both are huge projects, each has great potential. One article I recall reading claimed that Adams would be a future all-star. If not Adams, Gobert has crazy length that can make him a force if he progresses. 5. Hope that Phoenix tanks next year enough that their pick is within the Top 3. If we would get Phoenix's 2014 pick unprotected, that would potentially give us two lottery picks in the draft. With Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins likely to declare next year, you have double the chance to get into the Top 3. If that fails, you can always trade those two picks away to get one of the top 2. Also, Jabari and Wiggins might not live up to their hype, so their draft stock might slip. While unlikely, this is the scenario that would be a dream IMO. You get a high motor, defensive athlete in Oladipo, draft a big man project with good potential, and also double your chance of getting a top pick in a much "better" draft next year. The Cavaliers have a load of options when it comes to the number 1 pick. Do we trade it? Draft Noel? Or do something completely different? What about this scenario: 1. Trade Back with Phoenix Cavs Get: #5 Overall, 2014 1st Rounder (unprotected), Marcin Gortat Phoenix Recieves: #1 Overall, Alonzo Gee 2. Draft Victor Oladipo Crazy athlete that allows him to play either the 2 or the 3. Lock-down defender with amazing finishing ability. While his jump shot is a project, Mike Brown will fall in love with this kid's work ethic, athletic ability,and his great defensive presence. And even if the Cavs would get a high pick with Phoenix's 2014 lottery or their own pick, he would make a great sixth man behind Dion. 3. Trade up with Dallas Cavs Gets: #13 Overall Dallas Gets: #19, 31, 33 Overall 4. Draft Steven Adams or Rudy Gobert While both are huge projects, each has great potential. One article I recall reading claimed that Adams would be a future all-star. If not Adams, Gobert has crazy length that can make him a force if he progresses. 5. Hope that Phoenix tanks next year enough that their pick is within the Top 3. If we would get Phoenix's 2014 pick unprotected, that would potentially give us two lottery picks in the draft. With Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins likely to declare next year, you have double the chance to get into the Top 3. If that fails, you can always trade those two picks away to get one of the top 2. Also, Jabari and Wiggins might not live up to their hype, so their draft stock might slip. While unlikely, this is the scenario that would be a dream IMO. You get a high motor, defensive athlete in Oladipo, draft a big man project with good potential, and also double your chance of getting a top pick in a much "better" draft next year. Poll How do you feel if the Cavs drafted Oladipo? Love it Meh Hate it 3 votes | Results

Nerlens Noel is the presumptive #1 overall pick. Just ask his coach. In an interview with the Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer, John Calipari enumerated many reasons why he believes that, and was also extremely flattering towards the Cavaliers' organization. "The reason Calipari wants Noel to wind up in Cleveland has more to do with his respect for Cavs General Manager Chris Grant and his staff when it comes to their draft history. "They haven't made mistakes,'' Calipari said in a telephone interview on Wednesday, one day after the Cavs won the lottery to earn the No. 1 pick for the second time in three years. "If they pick him, in all likelihood, history tells you something: It's not a mistake, which means it's good for my kid." He also went on to mention that Chris Grant extensively scouted the Wildcats this season, and therefore should know what Noel can bring to the table. "Chris Grant has been in our building more than any other GM. That's no disrespect to any other GM. That's just a fact. He and his staff are very thorough in what they've done. That's why I say I hope he gets drafted by them.'' The final interesting thing is that Calipari seems pretty confident about Noel putting on weight in the future. "My hope is they take Nerlens because they do their research and say, 'We need that shot blocker behind what we have. ... We know he's going to gain 40 pounds. We know the trajectory.' They know where he was at the beginning of the year and they know how much he improved because they were here. They saw it. I don't have to explain anything to Chris.'' One has to wonder how much of this is posturing from Calipari, hoping his own player is the first overall pick. However, Chris Grant being in their gym a lot bodes well for the Cavs making the correct decision and selecting Noel with that pick. Finally, it's awesome that a guy of Calipari's stature is a big fan of where the Cavaliers are headed in the future, and it'll be fun watching this team grow together with the basketball world watching.

What will the Cavaliers do with the No. 1 pick? cleveland.com's Dan Labbe and Chris Fedor talk NBA Draft.

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