The NBA Draft is just two days away, and the smokescreens and trade rumors will come to a close and David Stern will start calling names at the Prudential Center. The Cavaliers continue to be the topic of potential trade rumors that involve Chris Grant moving up two spots in a deal with the Bobcats, where Cleveland would presumably select Bradley Beal with the No. 2 pick.
More: Cavaliers-Bobcats Trade Rumors Persist
If they stand pat at No. 4, many suspect they will have a choice between Harrison Barnes and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Most mock drafts now have Thomas Robinson going No. 2 to Charlotte and Beal heading to the Wizards at No. 3. That leaves Grant with a tough decision between the two wing players, both with connections to Kyrie Irving. DraftExpress thinks the Cavaliers go with MKG at No. 4.
DraftExpress also tabs a name that has surfaced consistently with the Cavaliers at No. 24 in the first round -- St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson. DX did a statistical study on big men in the 2012 Draft, and Nicholson certainly put in some impressive work in Oleon:
Besides Anthony Davis, Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller, the next more impressive big man in this study is likely Andrew Nicholson. Nicholson shouldered a heavy offensive load for St. Bonaventure (3rd highest of the 26 prospects), but still ranks as the 5th most efficient scorer overall. The fact that he was so effective with his back to the basket (5th best post scorer) and facing the basket (#1 in overall jump-shot attempts, 2nd most efficient shooter at 1.096), and with the ball (#3 in total isolation attempts, #3 in efficiency) is impressive. Nicholson is effective in pretty much every area we looked at, highlighting his extremely high skill-level.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Cavaliers Draft, visit Fear The Sword. For more on the 2012 Draft, check out SB Nation's NBA hub.