Thursday, June 28, 2012
Cleveland has four selections, including the No. 4 overall pick
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
LeBron James wasn’t given much help via the NBA draft when he played for the Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving won’t have the same problem.
With the No. 4 overall pick, another in the first round (No. 24) and two in the second round (No. 33 and 34), the Cavs are armed with assets to get at least one quality player and maybe more to support Irving, the talented point guard and reigning rookie of the year who proved to be the perfect choice for Cleveland.
Taking Irving last June was an easy decision for the team.
This year, the choice isn’t so simple.
The Cavs, who found some optimism despite a 21-45 record last season, have considered packing picks in a trade to move up and get a coveted player. They also know they can stay where they’re at and wind up with a solid player like North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes, Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Syracuse guard Dion Waiters, any of whom would immediately slide into Cleveland’s starting lineup.
With all the uncertainty, one thing is clear, once Kentucky center Anthony Davis is taken with the top overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets, anything’s possible.
There’s no telling what Charlotte and Washington will do with the respective Nos. 2 and 3 picks before the Cavs are on the clock. Cleveland’s most pressing need is a scorer to complement Irving, and the club is believed to be enamored with Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal.
The Cavs have discussed dealing their top two picks in a trade with the Bobcats, who acquired guard Ben Gordon in a deal on Tuesday from Detroit. Gordon’s arrival would seem to mean the Bobcats will look to add size with their first pick and perhaps take Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson.
That would leave the Wizards as the only team standing in the Cavs’ way of getting Beal, whose stock has risen more than any other player.
He worked out for the Cavs — at the same time as Barnes — and the club loved Beal’s sweet outside stroke, athleticism and scorer’s mentality. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas feels that if the Cavs are intent on landing Beal they should do whatever it takes to jump two spots and get him.
“I wouldn’t hesitate,” Bilas said during a conference call this week. “I think he’s the second-best prospect in this draft behind Anthony Davis. How could you not need a guard who’s got that kind of ability? I think he’s terrific. He’d be a great backcourt mate for Kyrie Irving. If Cleveland moved up to No. 2 that would be a terrific combo.”
Barnes isn’t a bad fallback plan.
At 6-foot-8, he has size, strength and can score. The Cavs probably would have taken Barnes last season had he left school earlier. This could be their chance to fill the massive hole at small forward left by James’ departure.
Kidd-Gilchrist, too, has connections to Irving. They played together in high school and always talked about the possibility of doing it as pros.
“I would love to play with Kyrie, but if not, oh well,” said Kidd-Gilchrist, whose only major flaw appears to be an awkward shot.
Beal measured at just under 6-foot-5 at the combine, allaying fears he was too small to defend some of the league’s rangier shooting guards.