Cleveland Cavaliers

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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We're working on a mock draft, watch us do it.

We're working on a mock draft, watch us do it.

This is an exciting time for Cavs fans! In this episode, the Fear The Sword writers discuss Nerlens Noel, Answer reader questions, settle the GIF pronunciation issue (you're welcome), and play a few games. Fear the Podcast! We are on iTunes and Soundcloud under FearTheSwordSBN, so please subscribe and rate the podcast.

As soon as the Charlotte Bobcats were announced to have the 4th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, possibilities starting running through my head. With the Cleveland Cavalier's card yet to appear, we knew that they had a Top 3 pick and a chance to be even better than that. For those of you who don't know, I have maintained that there are really three players that I thought would be excellent fits on the Cavs: Nerlens Noel, Otto Porter, and Alex Len. With a Top 3 pick in hand, they were guaranteed one of these players. But it got better. The absurdly long ESPN show came back from commercial and they announced that the Washington Wizards had the 3rd overall pick. And then the Orlando Magic had the 2nd overall pick. It took me a second to realize what had happened, but then I was like...AHA! The Cavaliers had won the NBA Draft Lottery and had the 1st overall pick in the upcoming draft. I did a little fist-pump. It was a good night. I have been on the Nerlens Noel bandwagon for a long time. During the middle of the season, I wrote that Noel would be the no-brainer top pick for the Cavs if they had the chance. Well now the Cavs have that chance I think they should, uh, take it. There are plenty of other options. There have been rumors that the Cavs will investigate the trade market to see what the Cavs can get in exchange for the #1 pick. The Cavs could also draft someone other than Noel. Otto Porter, Ben McLemore, and others are highly talented prospects. Furthermore, those guys aren't coming off ACL surgery and would be healthy at the very beginning of the season. But I'm here to tell you that we should ignore those options. Well, not completely ignore those options, but mostly ignore them. I'm sure we'll discuss all of these things in the coming weeks before the NBA Draft on June 27th, but I want to get some preliminary arguments out of the way, if only to let you guys know where I stand on the issue. Trading the #1 pick There's the idea that the Cavaliers will try to trade the pick for an established veteran player. I'll admit, this isn't a terrible idea at first glance. We're all tired of seeing the Cavs lose a ton of games and we're tired of young players making stupid mistakes. Adding an established all-star caliber player instead of another 19 year old rookie is fairly appealing. But in order to follow this option, there has to be an appropriate trade opportunity. In other words, which established veteran star are you trading for? And ultimately, that's not a rhetorical question. I really would like some more ideas about this. But where we stand now, I just don't think there's a reasonable trade to be made. The Cavs have expressed interest in trading for Kevin Love but that's not happening. Love didn't like David Kahn. David Kahn is gone. Love was representing the Minnesota Timberwolves at the NBA Draft Lottery. He talked to reporters and said he was excited about the future of the team. He's not getting traded. The other hot target is LaMarcus Aldridge. I don't think this one is very likely either, although I will admit that trading for Aldridge is probably slightly more likely than trading for Kevin Love. Aldridge would be a great fit next to Kyrie Irving, but that doesn't explain why the Blazers would trade him. Furthermore, the Blazers have been looking for a young center to play next to Aldridge since he would rather be playing power forward. They could certainly get that young center with the first overall pick by selecting Nerlens Noel....but then they wouldn't have LaMarcus Aldridge. That doesn't really work now does it? If the Cavs could work out a trade for Aldridge without giving up much more than the #1 pick, you could probably convince me that it was the best move. But other than that type of deal, I'm not sure what other trade opportunities are on the table. You're not trading the top pick for Eric Gordon and the other young stars, such as Paul George, Greg Monroe, or DeMarcus Cousins, are either t