SB Nation Cleveland - NBA Draft Update: Who Are The Latest Front-Runners For The Cavaliers At Numbers 1 And 4?https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2011-06-19T12:10:15-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18847022011-06-19T12:10:15-05:002011-06-19T12:10:15-05:00NBADraft.net Projects Irving As Top Cavs' Pick, With Kanter Being Available At The 4
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<p>NBADraft.net, in its <a href="http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft">latest mock draft</a>, has the Cavaliers taking Duke point guard Kyle Irving as the top pick in the 2011 draft, and forward/center Enes Kanter at number four.</p>
<p>The mock sees the Minnesota Timberwolves going with Derrick Williams as the second pick, and the Utah Jazz taking Brandon Knight with the third pick.</p>
<p>The site goes on to project the Cavaliers taking forward/center Jeremy Tyler with the 32nd pick.</p>
<p>The 2011 NBA Draft will begin in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Whether the Cavaliers are committed to Irving with the first pick is a matter that is open for some debate, as <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6676088">ESPN claims the Cavs might not be dead-set on the idea.</a></p>
<p>As the night gets closer, look for more updates (and perhaps more opinions) as they happen.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/6/19/2231927/nba-draft-update-2011-6-19-nbadraft-net-projects-irving-as-top-cavs-pick-with-kanter-beingAncientMariner2011-06-14T10:40:48-05:002011-06-14T10:40:48-05:002011 NBA Mock Draft Update: The Latest from SB Nation
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<p>Tom Ziller is back at it <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft/2011/6/14/2220016/nba-mock-draft-2011-kyrie-irving-derrick-williams" target="new">mocking the <span class="caps">NBA</span> draft again</a>, and this time he has a little bit of a change with the Cavs’ second pick, though it’s a change I don’t think the Cavs would actually do.</p>
<p>At the top, he stays true to his initial projection, which was Duke point guard Kyrie Irving. Here is his explanation:</p>
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<p>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke</p>
<p>Prediction: more people will complain that it’s unfair that Irving be held up to <span>LeBron James</span> standard than will actually assert or imply that Irving be held up to LeBron’s standard.</p>
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<p>With their second pick, Ziller has been pretty consistent in predicting the Cavs to take Turkish center Enes Kanter, who worked out for the team last week. This edition has Kanter off the board to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> with the third overall pick, so he has the Cavs taking Lithuanian PF/C Jonas Valanciunas. Here is his reasoning for the pick:</p>
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<p>4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania</p>
<p>The buy-out issues could purportedly drop Valanciunas into a valley of despair, but indications are that this will get worked out. But will he arrive in the United States this year? If he decides to ultimately stay in Lithuania or move to Italy or Spain for 1-2 years, that could be another anchor for his stock. Too many GM’s jobs — Chris Grant’s included — are in too precarious a position to take risks on the next Ricky.</p>
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<p>His analysis is spot on, and it doesn’t make me as a reader believe the Cavs would ever take Valanciunas. This team is in a total rebuilding mode, but they want two immediate impact players with these picks, or at least two players who can come in and start in 2011. This pick would not put Cavs fans at ease, given both the fact that he needs a buyout and a guaranteed top five contract as well as possibly a two year wait (see Rubio).</p>
<p>These mock drafts have proven to me that the best choice for the Cavs is to take Derrick Williams with the first pick and take whatever player is left at four between Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, and Kyrie Irving, all of whom are deserving players. It seems to simple to actually happen, but that’s just one man’s opinion. What do you fans want the Cavs to do?</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/6/14/2223374/2011-nba-mock-draft-update-the-latest-from-sb-nationSayre Bedinger2011-06-07T18:21:42-05:002011-06-07T18:21:42-05:002012 NBA Mock Draft Update: SB Nation Mocks the Cavs Irving, Kanter
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<p>SB Nation’s latest mock draft compares the players in the draft pool to current <span class="caps">NBA</span> players, and if their predictions come true, the Cavs are getting two players comparable to <span>Raymond Felton</span> and <span>Al Jefferson</span>.</p>
<p>Tom Ziller has the Cavs selecting Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick, for which he gives this explanation:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>: Kyrie Irving, G, Duke</p>
<p>Kyrie has drawn <span>Deron Williams</span> comparisons. If that’s the case, let’s keep him away from all headbands. Until he proves he can shoot dependably, let’s err on the side of Raymond Felton and hope for the best. (Felton’s not bad! He got traded for <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>! Sort of.)</p>
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<p>With the fourth pick, they have not wavered a bit either, where they still have the Cavs selecting center Enes Kanter of Kentucky/Turkey. Here is the comparison:</p>
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<p>4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter, C, Turkey</p>
<p>I feel a little Al Jefferson coming on …</p>
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<p>If these two players turn out to be like Ray Felton and Al Jefferson, the Cavs will not be in great shape. Felton has vastly underachieved since coming to the league, and while he is solid, he would never be worthy of the top pick in the draft. Jefferson is a great post player offensively, but he is nothing special on the defensive end and has spent a ton of time injured.</p>
<p>Still, the upside of these players seems greater to me, but only time will tell.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/6/7/2212307/2012-nba-mock-draft-update-sb-nation-mocks-the-cavs-irving-kanterSayre Bedinger2011-06-07T11:45:46-05:002011-06-07T11:45:46-05:00Will Enes Kanter Be On The Cavaliers' Radar? A Tuesday Workout Might Answer That Question
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<p>According to <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2011/06/kanter_reportedly_to_work_out.html">this report from Mary Schmitt Boyer</a>, Enes Kanter, the 6' 11" center from Turkey, will work out for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> on Tuesday in Independence, although no details have been released and no interviews have been scheduled.</p>
<p>Kanter, 19, was originally going to be a Kentucky Wildcat but was ruled ineligible for having received money to play in Turkey</p>
<p>Kanter might be in the running to be the fourth pick in the first round by the Cavs in the June 23 NBA Draft, and of course, if he does work out, and impresses, that would be more than an academic "might"..</p>
<p>But the talk is that he may not last until the fourth pick, although Cleveland will probably go with Kyle Irving at number one, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are likely to take Derrick Williams with the second pick. That would leave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> having to also pass on Kanter for Kanter to be available with the four.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/6/7/2211465/will-enes-kanter-be-on-the-cavaliers-radar-a-tuesday-workout-mightAncientMariner2011-06-02T13:02:38-05:002011-06-02T13:02:38-05:002011 NBA Mock Draft Update: Enes Kanter Slipping From Cavaliers' Grasp?
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<p>At 6-foot-11 and 260 pounds, Turkish center and NBA Draft prospect Enes Kanter has NBA size despite having just turned 19 years old. Though the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> may hope he's available when they pick fourth overall in this year's Draft, it's becoming increasingly likely he'll be off the board.</p>
<p>"We expect him to go within the first two picks," <a target="blank" href="http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/06/01/agent-expects-kanter-to-go-in-top-3-picks/">Mike Naiditch, an NBA agent close to Kanter's agent, Max Ergul, told Adam Zagoria</a>. "We expect him to go in the top 2, maybe 3, but we don’t think he’s going to go past that."</p>
<p>The Cavaliers are widely expected to use the first overall pick on Duke point guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123465/kyrie-irving" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyrie Irving</a>, and the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> will almost assuredly select Arizona forward Derrick Williams second overall. The <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a> own the third pick and Kanter may not escape their grasp.</p>
<p>With all that said, SB Nation NBA editor Tom Ziller has the Jazz instead taking Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight in his latest <a target="blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft/2011/5/31/2198312/nba-mock-draft-2011-kyrie-irving-david-kahn">2011 NBA Mock Draft</a>. "We've had <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123766/enes-kanter" class="sbn-auto-link">Enes Kanter</a> here since the lottery, on account of Utah's strict best player available policy," Ziller writes of Utah's pick. "But Knight could very well convince teams he's the third-best prospect in the draft by the time late June comes around."</p>
<p>Kanter could join a talented Cavs frontcourt which already features <span>Anderson Varejao</span> and <span>J.J. Hickson</span>. But if he's off the board, whom Cleveland will take instead is anyone's guess.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/6/2/2203174/2011-nba-mock-draft-enes-kanter-cleveland-cavaliersEvan Dunlap2011-05-27T14:57:15-05:002011-05-27T14:57:15-05:00Kyrie Irving Has Already Thought About Being The First Pick In The NBA Draft
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> have the first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after winning the annual NBA Lottery, and with that pick, they're expected to pick Duke point guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123465/kyrie-irving">Kyrie Irving</a>.</p>
<p>The Cavs brain trust has certainly thought about this plenty, and so has Irving <a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2011/05/27/kyrie-irving-nba-draft-cleveland-cavaliers-win-the-nba-lottery-first-pick-in-the-nba-draft-duke-blue-devils/" target="_blank">according to an interview he did on Thursday with WQAM in Miami</a>.</p>
<p>"I've thought about it a little bit but right now the main focus is about me getting better every single day," Irving said of being the No. 1 pick. "That's what I'm working towards. Whatever team wants me to come in and work out for them that's what I'm going to do and just give it my all. That's what I'm preparing for. Just preparing for the workouts and after I handle the workouts then I will worry about the NBA draft."</p>
<p>Exactly the bland answer everyone would expect, but at the same time, it's the right answer. If nothing else, Irving seems ready for Craig Sager to interview him in next year's NBA Playoffs.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/5/27/2193740/kyrie-irving-has-already-thought-about-being-the-first-pick-in-theScott Schroeder2011-05-24T13:38:41-05:002011-05-24T13:38:41-05:002011 NBA Mock Draft Update: SB Nation's Post Lottery Mock, Part II
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<p>The last SB Nation mock draft featured the Cavaliers taking a point guard an a European big man, and they didn’t waver from that stance in their latest crack at predicting the 2011 <span class="caps">NBA</span> Draft.</p>
<p>Tom Ziller, an SB Nation writer, thinks that it’s a near lock that the Cavs will take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke</p>
<p>It’s fun to consider what excuse the Cavs could give for going with Williams over Irving. “We really like <span>Ramon Sessions</span>.” “We really like <span>Manny Harris</span>.” “We want to be back in the high lottery next season to grab Austin Rivers, so we’re going to pick some forwards this year and trade for <span>Sebastian Telfair</span>.” No offense to Williams, who is an excellent prospect, but to pass on Irving, there needs to be one helluva skeleton in his closet (or, again, X-rays).</p>
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<p>The reasoning is sound. The <span class="caps">NBA</span> is quickly becoming a point guard driven league, and the Cavs don’t want to be left in the dust. Thus, they take Irving, the former prep-school superstar who only played in a few games last year for Duke. Irving is a guy who reminds me a lot of a young <span>Chris Paul</span>. He might not be the same kind of scorer at this point, but he definitely has that kind of a ceiling. The more I think about it, the more I think Irving is the smart pick for the Cavs.</p>
<p>With reports that Cleveland is dangling the fourth overall pick for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> small forward <span>Rudy Gay</span>, it’s clear that not taking Derrick Williams is a tough decision for the Cavs. In an ideal world, they would have the 1st and 2nd overall pick and get both their guys, but they almost have to take the point guard first overall.</p>
<p>Even though I personally believe Williams to be the best overall player in the draft right now, I don’t think the Cavs are making a mistake by taking Irving. However, I’m not a big fan of taking Euro big men early in the draft, and it seems every mock has the Cavs doing so. Ziller’s latest is no exception:</p>
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<p>4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania</p>
<p>The Cavaliers would send <3s to the Heavens if they could land Irving and Kanter; as a back-up plan, Valanciunas could work beautifully. The next great Lithuanian has one predominant concern: his buyout in Spain. We’ll no doubt hear more as Eurocamp approaches; never underestimate the power of Fran Vasquez to kill a player’s draft stock. Other options here could be Bismack Biyombo or even Jan Vesely; the Cavaliers are thinnest at small forward, believe it or not.</p>
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<p>The ideal scenario for the Cavs would be to nab a guy like Rudy Gay by dealing this pick and possibly future picks. However, if they are unable to do so, taking a Euro with size and upside isn’t the worst alternative. There are question marks surrounding most prospects in any draft, but for me, there’s just something about Euro big men that scares me off, especially in the top ten.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/5/24/2188008/2011-nba-mock-draft-update-sb-nations-post-lottery-mock-part-iiSayre Bedinger2011-05-23T12:05:17-05:002011-05-23T12:05:17-05:002011 NBA Draft: Cavaliers Offer No. 4 Pick For Rudy Gay, According To Report
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> have the incredible fortune of owning the first and fourth overall selections in the 2011 <span class="caps">NBA</span> Draft, but a new report indicates they are open to moving at least one of them in order to upgrade their roster with a veteran contributor. Indeed, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/72700341317144576">the Cavaliers offered the fourth pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for high-scoring small forward Rudy Gay</a>, using the trade exception they received from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> in the <span>LeBron James</span> sign-and-trade deal to absorb Gay’s salary, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. Memphis said no.</p>
<p>Gay, a five-year veteran, has shown remarkable consistency in his career, averaging between 18.9 and 20.1 points per game, and shooting between 45.3 percent and 47.1 percent, over the last four seasons. Though an injury limited him to just 54 games in 2010-11, Gay set new career-bests in rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, three-point percentage, and free-throw percentage as he worked himself into being a more well-rounded contributor. It’s not difficult to see why the Cavaliers, or any team, would like to add him.</p>
<p>And though it seems Memphis might be silly to let Gay go, it’s important to remember context: even without Gay, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> won their first-ever playoff series this season before falling in the second round. A small-market club, they owe point guard <span>Mike Conley</span> and <span>Zach Randolph</span> an estimated $111 million over the next five seasons. Starting center <span>Marc Gasol</span> will enter restricted free agency this summer and will require another long-term financial commitment. Perhaps the Grizzlies’ playoff success without Gay, who has $69 million over five seasons remaining on his contract, could convince them to part with their longest-tenured player.</p>
<p>Or maybe not. We aren’t privy to Memphis’ thought process here. But from the outside, the deal Cleveland reportedly proposed isn’t terribly one-sided.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-cavaliers/2011/5/23/2185825/2011-nba-draft-cavaliers-trade-offer-rudy-gay-memphis-grizzliesEvan Dunlap