While the majority of the mock drafts and early reports have the Cleveland Cavaliers linked to North Carolina's Harrison Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, they are still considering others at that position, including UConn's Andre Drummond:
The Cavs appear to be considering Connecticut center Andre Drummond with their fourth overall selection, despite the face that he could be the riskiest pick in the entire draft.
Drummond is a major project. If a team is willing to be patient with him, it could pay off in a big way. Centers are so hard to find these days.
One scout went so far as to compare Drummond with Magic center Dwight Howard, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. That may be a bit far-fetched, but one can see the potential.
He said his interview with the Cavs went well on Thursday. He said he'd work out for five teams, likely ones with picks Nos. 2 through 6.
Of course, the Cavaliers are in a great position to consider plenty of options in what is shaping up to be a very deep draft. The experts at SB Nation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog Fear the Sword are certainly aware of this pre-draft process and are intrigued by Drummond's potential:
If you have been paying attention, you'll realize that the Cavaliers are in a position that allows them to consider basically every player in their range. We hear that they are interested in Barnes. Then we hear that they are interesting in MKG. Now -- Drummond. Get used to it. They haven't made up their minds and are simply making sure that they cover all of their bases before making a decision on June 28th.
Personally, I'm intrigued by the idea of Andre Drummond. His potential is off the charts. He could be an NBA superstar. He could also just be a defensive specialist. Either way, I believe you're getting a useful player. The question is whether or not the potential reward is worth the risk of selecting him fourth overall.
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.