Are Cavaliers trying to deal for another lottery pick tonight?
Enes Kanter Despite all of the disappointment and issues associated with this past season, tonight's NBA Draft means the Cleveland Cavaliers are escaping purgatory, writes Ohio.com reporter Jason Lloyd.
Regardless of whom they take, the Cavs will have two good, young pieces in place to begin what will be a lengthy process. There might not be another LeBron or Kevin Durant awaiting them, but ultimately that might not be as horrific as it sounds.
That's why Cavs General Manager Chris Grant must get it right tonight. He did a masterful job in steering the organization to this point, acquiring the pick from the Los Angeles Clippers that turned out to be the No. 1 choice in tonight's draft, but now he must choose wisely, writes Lloyd.
It's easy for the rest of the league to casually name Irving the top player in this draft. They don't have riding on this what Grant does in his first season as a GM.
Making a point
No matter how much love the Cavaliers have for Derrick Williams, it looks like the Cavaliers will use the No. 1 overall pick on Duke's Kyrie Irving.
But things are not as clear cut at No. 4, writes News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan. Enes Kanter is the favorite to go in that spot:
"If they take Kanter at 4," said one league source, "he might not be wearing their hat by Friday."
The Cavs could have as many as two deals on the table for Kanter, the source said. Washington could be one of the teams willing to deal for the Turkish center. One rumor making the rounds is the Cavs trading the No. 4 pick to Washington for the Wizards' Nos. 6 and 18 selections.
However, multiple league sources indicate the Cavs want to get their hands on Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, even if he can't play in the NBA next season.
ESPN's Chad Ford is reporting that the Cavaliers are trying to use their trade exception to gain another lottery pick, perhaps from Sacramento or Detroit.
Back to the basics
Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer is in New York preparing for tonight's draft. On Wednesday, she followed Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and a host of other draft hopefuls who all participated in a clinic with 60 Special Olympians.
Mock Drafts
Big Z may not retire
As The PD's Mary Schmitt Boyer first reported, former Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas informed the Miami Heat that he will pick up his $1.4 million player option for next season. Ilgauskas, who had spoken in recent weeks of retiring, may still hang it up but the Heat would have to buy him out.
But for now, Ilgauskas will be on next year's roster along with LeBron James.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/06/nba_draft_am_links_1.html
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