2011 NBA Draft: Brandon Knight Wants Cavs To Take Him At No. 1 Overall

Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight sure has a lot of nerve. First, he refused to work out against Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette, claiming that he only wanted to workout against Kyrie Irving. Now, he is claiming that he would like to go to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but not with the No. 4 overall pick with which he is being considered, but at No. 1 overall; according to ESPN's Andy Katz.

Kentucky's Brandon Knight wants to go to Cleveland -- as the No. 1 pick. When given the choices of Cleveland, Toronto, Utah or Sacramento, Knight said he wants Cleveland but as No. 1, even though he’s only being considered by the Cavs at No. 4.

Knight isn't nearly the same kind of prospect that Irving is, so I can't imagine he will get very much consideration at the top spot. And if they already took Irving, then I can't imagine they'll take another point guard three picks later. Having said all that, I do like the confidence on Knight's part. I'd rather have a player who feels like he is the best than one who does not.

2011 NBA Draft: Cavs Still Not Disclosing Whom They Will Pick At No. 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the top overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. If you ask anyone with an opinion, they'll take Kyrie Irving, and that it shouldn't really even be that close. But in terms of actual close to the organization sources, nobody can pin down exactly whom the Cavs intend to take; not just who they should. According to Yahoo! Sports, the Cavs aren't telling anyone who they are going to take.

As the hours crept closer to the start of Thursday’s NBA draft, Kyrie Irving still didn’t have a commitment from the Cleveland Cavaliers that he’ll be the No. 1 pick. The Cavs’ front office has been in lockdown mode, offering no suggestions, no scenarios, to prospective players on how everything will unfold.

But the article goes on to speculate that the Cavs will take Irving, and that is what everyone expects to happen. It's hard for the Cavs to be really quiet about something that everyone pretty much knows is going to happen anyway. But we'll know for sure tonight.

Chris Grant Says Cavaliers Intend To Use Both Top Five Picks In 2011 NBA Draft

We’re just about 24 hours away from the start of the 2011 NBA Draft. The action gets started at 7 pm EST Thursday night, and if you’re a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers who’s keen on seeing what the Cavs plans to do in the first round, you best not be late to tune in. The Cavaliers, of course, hold the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, but they also will be selecting at No. 4. There had been some speculation that Cleveland might try to shop one of the two picks in an attempt to collect even more draft picks or players. Considering that this year’s draft class isn’t very loaded talent-wise at the top, unloading one of the two top-five picks might not be such a bad strategy.

However, on Wednesday, Cavs GM Chris Grant said that the Cavaliers plan to use both picks Thursday night.. Either Kyrie Irving or Derek Williams is expected to be taken No. 1 overall by the Cavaliers, with the other expected to be drafted second. Grant said that he knew who he wanted to select first, but needed consensus and agreements amongst the rest of his staff.

Grant wisely didn’t tip his hand too much, but did have this to say about Irving:

Of Irving, Grant said the concern was the lack of playing time in college (just 11 games for the Blue Devils because of a toe injury), but he said Irving comes across as someone who’s been on the national stage and knows how to handle it. The Cavaliers heavily vetted Irving’s injury and are “comfortable” with its status.

We’ll see what ultimately unfolds tomorrow night from the Prudential Center in Newark, but if I had to guess, the Cavaliers will go with the extremely likeable and versatile Williams.

2011 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers In A Unique Spot As Draft Approaches

With the 2011 NBA Draft just days away, all eyes are on the Cavs--as well they should be.

Owners of more assets than arguably anyone else in the league, this year's draft is a far cry from a year ago, when the Cavs had no picks and The Decision looming.

Let's run through the list, shall we? Along with the first and fourth picks in the draft, the Cavs are also owners of the 32nd and 54th picks. Although that late second rounder may not net anything special, plenty of solid contributors have come in the early second round, and Cleveland fans have to hope that Chris Grant and his talent evaluators have a solid game plan in place.

In addition to the picks already owned, the Cavaliers have a plethora of other options that have other teams salivating. First and foremost is the TPE, which has been floated around for players like Rip Hamilton and Andre Iguodala. The trade exemption rules are very specific, though, so it is important to note that, according to Hoopsworld.com:

Trade exceptions can't be added to anything. A team can acquire 125% of the salary they trade away (in a simultaneous trade). So if they have a $10 million player, he can be traded for up to $12.5 million in incoming salary. If they also have an outstanding trade exception for $5 million, they can't add it to the $12.5 million in order to acquire a player making $17.5 million. The trade exception can only be used to acquire a player or players making the amount of the exception or less (plus a $100,000 fudge factor).

Trade exceptions can't be added to other trade exceptions, either. Right now the Lakers have two trade exceptions – one for $2.5 million, and the other for $1.9 million. They can't combine them to acquire a player making $4.4 million. The $2.5 million exception can only be used to acquire a player making $2.5 million or less, and the $1.9 million exception can only be used to acquire a player making $1.9 million or less (again, each also has a $100,000 fudge factor).

So a situation in which a player is unhappy on a team, or a team wants to cut dead weight, makes sense. And for the Cavs, money is no object with Dan Gilbert at the helm. That's why the Rip Hamilton deal is so enticing. Although the Pistons have been reluctant, they may see the writing on the wall. Rip is unhappy, and has been a real malcontent in the last year, and the Cavs would be more than willing to buy him out if he so desired. Paying money for another first round pick is something Grant--and Gilbert--seem more than apt to do.

Or, if you can acquire a player like Iguodala, why not? Again, with money not posing any problems, if a team is looking to cut salary or is in rebuilding mode, a player in or near his prime could add veteran leadership as well as much-needed scoring (especially from the wing, where the Cavs need the most help).

Now let's look at the roster. With Kyrie Irving a likely target, one of Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions are expendable. Obviously, Davis's contract, health and effort were enough of an albatross to convince the Clippers to ultimately lose the number one overall pick, but when healthy and playing hard, Davis is still a very good player. He is still owed $28.8 million over the next two years, though, and dealing him would take a lot of coercing.

Sessions is a much more viable trade target. The 24 year old (25 in November) is making just under $9 million over the next two seasons and showed a lot of ability in extended minutes with the Cavaliers a season ago. He is a perfect fit for a contending team looking for a solid number two PG or a rebuilding team looking to take a flier on a player with his abilities.

Next comes Antawn Jamison. Although it is far more likely that he will be moved near the trade deadline, Jamison's matchup problems as a stretch four are still valuable, and he probably has one more big season in him if he finds a fit on a team looking to make a big playoff push. Most notably, though, that expiring $15 million contract is a big chip.

Then you have the big men. While J.J. Hickson has been mentioned time and again, I truly do not see the Cavs moving the soon-to-be 23 year old. Last year was his first true year of coaching (he had no help in high school, AAU, college or from Mike Brown), and he seemed to really respond to Byron Scott. I would much rather see the Cavs move Anderson Varejao.

Look, I like Andy (although most people who have heard me talk about him would disagree). I just don't think he fits anymore. A nine point and nine rebound hustle guy just has no place on a rebuilding team. This team doesn't need his 30-35 minutes. His value isn't maximized in Cleveland. He belongs as the sixth man on a team hell-bent on a championship run. He makes way too much money to justify his cost on the Cavaliers, but could bring one heck of a windfall if he were to be traded. I am sure Grant is working the phones hard with regards to Varejao.

And finally, the Cavs most valuable asset is their owner, Dan Gilbert. He seems singularly focused on turning this thing around, and that means money is legitimately no object. So, while other financially strapped teams start shopping their picks for cash (see: Phoenix), Cleveland will be there to snatch them up.

The Cavs' front office has a lot of work to do. Hopefully, they've got plenty of extra coffee on hand this week.