2012 Draft

[Douglar]

Getting #6 an #11? I can get behind that...maybe. I assume we'd do Barnes at #6? Eh. I dunno.

If the Cavs trade to 6 & 11, I'd be much happier with a J. Lamb & Leonard combo over Barnes & Zeller.

 

[Chris]

If the Cavs trade to 6 & 11, I'd be much happier with a J. Lamb & Leonard combo over Barnes & Zeller.

I think I just threw up. I'll keep our current picks, thanks. :chuckles:

 

[metalman213]

If the Cavs trade to 6 & 11, I'd be much happier with a J. Lamb & Leonard combo over Barnes & Zeller.

Id rather barnes and lamb and getting a center next year, or someone like festus ezeli at 24.

 

[MGMT]

Id rather barnes and lamb and getting a center next year, or someone like festus ezeli at 24.

I think if we get 6 and 11, 24 is going to Portland.

 

[metalman213]

I think if we get 6 and 11, 24 is going to Portland.

Correct. Forgot about that. Theres a chance ezeli will be there at 33 tho.

 

[MGMT]

Correct. Forgot about that. Theres a chance ezeli will be there at 33 tho.

No doubt he could be. It just seems a lot of people are really set on addressing C this year regardless of who it is whether or not it be Melo, Festus, Leonard, Zeller etc. To be honest outside of Davis and potentially Drummond I don't see any C prospects that translate that well, but that's jusy my opinion. I'm just saying if we don't get our center this year, it's far from the end of the world. We could easily be lottery-bound again next June and Nerlens Noel and Cody Zeller could be viable options next year. Not saying Chris Grant should be thinking like this, but like I said, it isn't too big of a dealiof we take advantage of the wing depth in this draft and solidify the perimeter this year.

 

[sailfish]

Yeah, I hear he's going to be a free-agent. If Portland would rather spend their cap space elsewhere, they may want a replacement in the draft.



There are a lot of players available at #4 who are considered more NBA ready than Drummond, including Barnes.

Anyway, we always have to be careful with our assumptions. Just because Portland's GM is big on prep stars doesn't mean Drummond would be the guy he wants ... Barnes and Rivers were super hyped as well. We might also throw Anderson in to a deal, as it doesn't sound like Portland would really want our #24 pick anyway.

There's no way the Blazers let Batum go. He's a 23 year old wing, who averaged almost 14 ppg and 4.6 rpg this past year and shot 39% from 3-point range. The Blazers could go with a big lineup by playing Batum at SG and drafting a SF, like MKG or Harrison Barnes. Make no mistake though, Olshey is going to pick a guy who was a highly regarded recruit. Considering their needs, that likely means Beal, Barnes, or Drummond. Considering their hole at center, I see Olshey taking Drummond, if he's there.

 

[metalman213]

No doubt he could be. It just seems a lot of people are really set on addressing C this year regardless of who it is whether or not it be Melo, Festus, Leonard, Zeller etc. To be honest outside of Davis and potentially Drummond I don't see any C prospects that translate that well, but that's jusy my opinion. I'm just saying if we don't get our center this year, it's far from the end of the world. We could easily be lottery-bound again next June and Nerlens Noel and Cody Zeller could be viable options next year. Not saying Chris Grant should be thinking like this, but like I said, it isn't too big of a dealiof we take advantage of the wing depth in this draft and solidify the perimeter this year.

Oh I agree. its just in the second round it might be worth taking a chance on a seven footer (6 foot 11 but still) who plays good defense and could be a good backup / solid starter in the nba.

BTW i love mgmt.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

If the Cavs trade to 6 & 11, I'd be much happier with a J. Lamb & Leonard combo over Barnes & Zeller.

I like a Drummond and Lamb/Rivers/Ross.... We need an overall infusion of talent. You can't deny that Drummond is extremely talented, he just hasn't put the pieces of the puzzle together yet and found a way to dominate with his size and athleticism to score.

We are already blessed with such a highly, highly skilled player in Kyrie. Next, we need guys that can get their own shot and create shots for others. Lastly, we have to become a devastatingly athletic team ala the Thunder.

In this draft, I think we'll be able to find a smooth 2 guard that can get buckets on his own with the 24th, or if we decide to somehow move up.

Finally, in this league, you need a big time athletic advantage. That's why I take the chance on Drummond. He is a potential game-changer with his size alone. Add in the fact that he's got great lateral quickness, shot blocking ability, great show on the p&r. I think he'd be like Tyson Chandler on New Orleans only more athletic and a hell of a lot faster. Sure he could bust, but he's going to be a serviceable player off talent alone. He wouldn't have any plays called for him until he gets his offensive game together, which could take 2-3 years, but that could ultimately be a blessing in disguise for the Cavaliers organization.


All I know is that we have a ton to be excited about. Chris Grant was smitten when he found out we got the 4th pick. He seemed open to moving up or down, but also having the luxury of just keeping the #4 and selecting a great player. It's a great position to be in as a GM, Grant has all the leverage here. Other teams might come to him willing to cough up assets for a player they covet.

Doug you don't seem too high on Drummond, I'm curious why? I know that he hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, but he put himself in a fucked up position at UConn and might thrive with different teammates in a different environment.

 

[Triumph36]

Yeah, I hear he's going to be a free-agent. If Portland would rather spend their cap space elsewhere, they may want a replacement in the draft.

You said it yourself, if they "want to win-now then they should ____". Does letting Batum go in favor of Barnes actually get them closer to that objective? Not only that, but they have well over $20M in cap space, plenty to both re-sign Batum and spend on other positions.

There are a lot of players available at #4 who are considered more NBA ready than Drummond, including Barnes.

Anyway, we always have to be careful with our assumptions. Just because Portland's GM is big on prep stars doesn't mean Drummond would be the guy he wants ... Barnes and Rivers were super hyped as well. We might also throw Anderson in to a deal, as it doesn't sound like Portland would really want our #24 pick anyway.

Where is the guarantee that Portland even stands firm on the "win now" goal (which isn't going to happen if they draft Barnes, but w/e) in the first place? A relatively inexpensive core of Drummond, LMA, and Batum is nice to build around.

In the end, they need a center. Can they find one of the caliber they need via free agency? Good centers aren't exactly known for moving teams via free agency no matter how much cap space the team has to offer. On top of that they need a specific center that fits with LMA - a defensive minded rebounder. Drummond sounds...kind of like that, does he not? And those are skills that he can bring to the table sooner rather than later, unlike his offensive game which will take time.

We'll see, I guess. But if the trade goes through and Drummond is available at #4, Portland will take him and that's a prediction I'll stand behind until they leave the podium.

 

[daddywags]

It seems the Cavs are focused on adding one big man in this draft - whether a C or PF/C type. Makes sense to me because 1. We only have two viable bigs on our roster: Varejao and Thompson; 2. Andy is injury-prone; and 3. Scott obviously was pulling his nonhair out watching guys like Samuels and Erden and Hollins try to play meaningful minutes last season - I don't think that's going to happen again. Beyond that, I think you need to get that guy in the first round - Drummond, Robinson, Henson, Leonard, Zeller, Moultrie, Nicholson and White are all options but none will (likely) be available in the second round. If we wait until the second round, I'd just as soon take a PF like Drew Gordon or Mike Scott than a Fab Melo or Ezili.

 

[MGMT]

Oh I agree. its just in the second round it might be worth taking a chance on a seven footer (6 foot 11 but still) who plays good defense and could be a good backup / solid starter in the nba.

BTW i love mgmt.

Festus intrigued me when he played well against Anthony Davis the second or third time. He and Cody Zeller looked most impressive going against AD. Went right at him, and did pretty well. So I totally agree 2nd round is totally worth a roll-of-the-dice on a big. I wish Nicholson wasn't rising otherwise he could've been there and he could been a nice stretch 4 off the bench.

Glad to see mgmt has love elsewhere. I fell in love when I finally got to see them at lollapalooza 2010.

 

[AZ_]

I like Festus, but he's just doesn't have the ceiling as a above average big man.

He can't catch...

 

[I'mWithDan]

Grabbing #6 and #11 would be ideal IMO.

at #6 you get one of:

Davis, MKG, Robinson, Drummond, Beal or Barnes.

Then at #11 you likely get one of:

PJIII, Rivers, Lamb, Ross, maybe even Moultrie.

I wonder who Portland really wants at #4 though? They must really love one player in particular....

 

[RikSmits]

I wonder who Portland really wants at #4 though? They must really love one player in particular....

This is assuming the rumor that the Cavs and Blazers have talked is true. And then there's the questions who initiated such talk, and what the reply was. On top of that, it could be a GM laying a smokescreen.