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The Cavaliers are in one of the most unique situations of any team heading into the draft. While many teams are looking to get rid of picks to rid themselves of guaranteed contracts and maintain financial flexibility, the Cavaliers are looking to move up in the draft to acquire a player that can play in their rotation next season. While this draft is not regarded by most as very deep, the Cavaliers could be willing to purchase a pick for up to $3 million cash, the maximum amount allowed under the rules, to add an impact player. Because of the urgency of the franchise's need to improve, the Cavaliers will likely look to avoid projects, such as J.J. Hickson types, and opt to pursue college players with 3 or 4 years on a high profile team.
Rumors have circulated about the Cavaliers potentially moving up to take Minnesota's 5th or 6th pick. There are also more prevalent rumors that the Cavaliers will look to move up somewhere in the teens and grab one of the perimeter players that should be there. But, as it remains right now, the Cavaliers hold the 30th overall pick. So, in this preview, I'll take a look at a few people the Cavaliers could get just outside the top five, just outside the lottery, and at their current position.
Possible Selections at 5/6
Stephen Curry PG/SG (Davidson) - He may not have a true position at 6'3", but this guy is a flatout scoring machine, leading the NCAA in scoring last season. One of the most pure shots in recent memory, he reminds of Ben Gordon in many facets. He's just a basketball player, and if you can put him on the court with someone who can handle the ball and make up for his lack of true point guard skills, he could be something special. LeBron is crazy about this guy...
Jordan Hill PF (Arizona) - At 6'10", he is athletic with great size. He averages over 18 points a game for the Wildcats last year shooting almost 54 percent. Hill can rebound and block shots, but he shot just 64 percent at the line, which is definitiely a spot for improvement. Must polish the offensive game to reach full potential.
Demar DeRozan SG/SF (USC) - DeRozan would really intrigue the Cavaliers because of his length and defensive potential on the perimeter. At just 19 years old right now, DeRozan can get to the rack and is an explosive player with a great vertical leap. He needs to improve his 3-point shot and free throw strokes, and he doesn't distribute the ball very well. A lot of potential here.
Possible Selections in the Teens
Tyler Hansbrough PF/C (North Carolina) - The ultimate competitor, Psycho T is just a flatout hustle and heart player. He's not the traditional NBA post player, but Carlos Boozer was undersized and many wondered how he would perform as well. Hansbrough is a great foul shooter and fierce rebounder. His offensive game isn't incredibly diverse but can hit an elbow jumper, and at 6'9" who knows what his position will be. I think he's capable of contributing right away, which the Cavaliers need and he could help off the bench.
Ty Lawson PG (North Carolina) - The 5'11" Lawson is a true point guard in every sense of the word. Lawson averaged 17 points and 7 assists a game for the national champion Tar Heels, and he shot 53 percent including 47 percent from three point range. He can slice to the hole with the best of them, so his biggest issue will be defense at his height. He can create turnovers on defense, and his assist-to-turnover ratio on offense is excellent, a guy some people are sleeping on.
Sam Young SF (Pittsburgh) - At 24 years old, Young is a guy that is ready to play now. A physical freak at 6'6" with a longer wingspan, Young is strong, athletic, big, and long for a perimeter player, and defense will be his niche. The main drawbacks on him are that his shot is not smooth, his game is still choppy and lacks fluidity at times, and he has come close to reaching his potential at 24. He still averaged 19 points a game last year.
Earl Clark SF (Louisville) - Clark is another guy incredibly high on potential, and he showed a lot of that promise at a high profile program in Lousiville. He's 6'10", but he really is more perimeter oriented in nature, only occasionally going down in the post to score on mismatches. As it was so well put in the ESPN article earlier in the week, he translates to a guy like Lamar Odom or Rashard Lewis who often gets criticized for not knowing what to do as far as decison making because of his vast skill set. He averaged 14 points and almost 9 rebounds per game for the Cards.
Possibilities at 30
Patty Mills PG (St. Mary's) - Mills is another undersized point guard at 6'0", but like Lawson, he is very quick as well. He could very well slip to 30 where the Cavaliers will be picking (for now). Great at driving, forcing steals, and getting to the charity stripe. Mills is, however, just barely a 40% field goal shooter and his size will give him trouble getting shots off.
Darren Collison PG (UCLA) - Collison has fantastic experience in running the show for the Bruins on their three trips to the Final Four. He is a strong leader, decison maker, and is good at on-the-ball defense. His jumpshot, however, is questionable, and as is a reoccuring theme with most of the point guards available at this juncture, his 6'1" height is an issue.
Danny Green SF (North Carolina) - Green is a real sleep with some people projecting him in the middle to late second round, but this guy was truly overshadowed by Lawson, Hansbrough, and Ellington on the championship team. Green, though, could become a lockdown defender and an incredible tweener at the 2/3. Excellent three point and free throw shooter, and he averaged over 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists a game on a team with those three players, not too shabby.
Taj Gibson PF (USC) - Gibson, listed at 6'9", was at Southern California for three seasons, and he is a good face up post player with a nice touch inside. He is pretty athletic, and he runs the floor well able to catch the pass on the run. His drawbacks include a frail frame and poor free throw shooting.
PREDICTION: The Cavaliers buy the 18th pick (one of Minnesota's four first round draft picks) and select Pittsburgh's Sam Young to come in and immediately make an impact off the bench. With the 30th pick, they take either Danny Green or Taj Gibson.
We'll find out tomorrow night!
Kirk
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