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NBA Draft Rumors 2012: Cavs Targeting Harrison Barnes With 4th Pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly eyeing Harrison Barnes with the No. 4 pick in this month's 2012 NBA Draft. Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated reports that the Cavs are unlikely to let Barnes slip past them at four, with Chris Grant and the front office very high on the wing from North Carolina. Via Sam Amick:

Sources say the Cavaliers are very high on the 20-year-old small forward and appear unlikely to let him slip past them at the No. 4 slot in the June 28 draft. While this week's predraft combine in Chicago (June 6-7), and the team workouts thereafter, could always change things, rival executives are planning for Barnes to be off the board by the time the fifth pick (Sacramento) rolls around.

"He's a pretty big deal to them," one such executive said.

Barnes is very good friends with the Cavaliers 2011 pick, Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. They both share the same agent and established a close friendship as the top two stars of their high school class. While many clamor for Michael Kidd-GIlchrit or Bradley Beal at No. 4, it's more likely that Barnes will be available and according to Amick, the Cavs are likely to snatch him up.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Cavaliers Draft, visit Fear The Sword. For more on the NBA Lottery and the 2012 Draft, check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.