Cleveland Cavaliers Offseason Thread 2013

• ohiobucks1

  

  sportswizuhrd;1447591 wrote:I would not hold out on the idea that teams would want to move up to take someone else other than Noel. He is not a definite #1 pick and someone might see Burke, Oladipo or McLemore as their guy. I don't know of those teams because I haven't studied contracts/Free Agency yet.

  Makes more sense
• Pick6

  

  Various arguments from Hoopsworld on who the Cavs should take:
  The Cleveland Cavaliers should select Nerlens Noel with the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old center has the most potential of any player in this draft class and he could develop alongside Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson for years to come. Cleveland picked center Tyler Zeller in the first round of last year’s draft, but Zeller doesn’t have anywhere near as much upside as Noel and that selection shouldn’t stop the Cavaliers from making the former Kentucky center the top pick.
  The only reason that this is a debate is because Noel tore his ACL on Feb. 12. With that said, when Noel went down, every other draft prospect had an opportunity to leapfrog him and emerge as the new likely No. 1 pick, but nobody stepped up. Nearly every top prospect struggled in the NCAA Tournament. Players like Otto Porter, Shabazz Muhammad, Anthony Bennett and Ben McLemore were expected to be the stars of March Madness, but they didn’t play particularly well. In fact, Porter, Muhammad and Bennett were all upset by lower seeds and sent home after just one game.
  
  Porter has been mentioned as a possibility for Cleveland, but he would be a reach with the top selection. Small forward is admittedly the Cavaliers’ biggest need, but there just isn’t a three worth taking first overall in this draft class. If Andrew Wiggins were able to enter the draft straight out of high school, he would be the obvious top overall pick and Cleveland would be in luck, with one of the scariest cores in the league. However, that’s obviously not an option and there isn’t a star-level small forward in this draft class. Players like Porter and Muhammad may end up being solid players, but top pick material? Unlikely. It’s hard to imagine the Cavs selecting one of those players, unless they trade down.
  
  Noel has all of the physical gifts to be a star including a 7’0 frame, 7’5 wingspan and 9’2 standing reach. He also has the intangibles such as incredible timing and instincts as well as a relentless work ethic and competitive nature. It’s easy to see why league executives have been awaiting Noel’s arrival for several years.
  
  In his lone season at Kentucky, Noel averaged 10.5 points on 59 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks in 24 games. The advanced statistics are also on Noel’s side, which could win over the Cavaliers. Cleveland pays close attention to advanced stats, which played a large role in the selections of Waiters and Thompson among others. The statistic Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP) measures how many more wins a player would have over a replacement-level player. Noel’s projected WARP is 4.0, which is by far the highest WARP projection of any player in the 2013 draft class. Other stats that jump off the page are Noel’s block percentage (13.2 percent), defensive rating (81.9 ) and efficiency rating (27.3). These numbers are even more impressive when you consider that Noel just turned 19 years old last month and was one of the younger players in the country after reclassifying to the high school class of 2012 from the class of 2013.
  
  Wing players are a dime a dozen whereas quality centers are hard to find in this day and age. This year’s No. 1 pick isn’t a no-brainer, as it is in some years, but Noel does seem like the best option for Cleveland.
  
  Draft Otto Porter
  
  With the first pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers should select Otto Porter from Georgetown University. The young forward had an outstanding sophomore season and fills the last remaining position the Cavaliers have left in this remarkable rebuild through the draft strategy. In the past two NBA Drafts, the Cavaliers have taken point guard Kyrie Irving, shooting guard Dion Waiters, power forward Tristan Thompson and center Tyler Zeller in the first round.
  While the Cavaliers could take the 19-year-old center Nerlens Noel first overall, there are plenty of reasons for them to take a different approach. This will be Cleveland’s third season with two first-round draft picks and despite enjoying success in the draft, they don’t want to be back in the lottery again next year. Noel is not a one-way ticket to the playoffs. Extremely raw offensively and only 206 lbs, the 19-year-old was pushed around in college and will take several seasons to fill out his frame. The outstanding ability to block shots and create steals is offset by terrible free throw shooting and virtually no jump shot. The Cavaliers have the 7’0, 250-lb. NBA All-Rookie Second Team center Zeller on their roster and should be able to pick up another center to develop with their second first-round draft pick.
  
  A 2012-13 consensus First-Team All-American, Porter led the Big East in field goal percentage and was top 10 in minutes per game, points per game, free throws, free throw attempts, rebounds and steals. However, Porter fits the Cavaliers’ needs in ways beyond filling the gap at small forward. Georgetown used Porter as a point forward and deadly spot-up three-point shooter. At 6’ 8.5, Porter could see over defenses and used his excellent court vision and passing skills to facilitate Georgetown’s offense from the high post. Off the ball, he understood spacing and timing and was effective cutting to the basket or drawing defenders away from the rim. On the Cavaliers, Irving is the team’s best scorer and Porter should be able to fill the badly needed playmaking role Luke Walton provided last season.
  Even though Porter is a sophomore, at 19 years old, he is actually younger than most of the other top-ranked players in this year’s draft. His 27.3 efficiency rating this year was identical to Noel’s and Porter is definitely more ready to contribute at both ends of the court next season. Fit, skill-set and upside make Porter a solid first overall choice for the Cavaliers.
  
• Pick6

  

  (cont)
  
  Draft Anthony Bennett
  
  This is the kind of draft where anything can happen, especially with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the top overall pick. One of the players they’re going to have to give a lot of consideration along with Nerlens Noel and Otto Porter is Anthony Bennett. Few have projected Bennett as a potential No. 1 selection, but from a talent standpoint he is definitely one of the best this class has to offer.
  Bennett, who recently underwent rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder, will not be able to work out for the Cavaliers or any other team during the pre-draft process. So, all there is to go off of Bennett are his interviews and game film from his freshman season at UNLV.
  
  Luckily for Bennett, his game film is quite impressive. Bennett averaged 16 points and eight rebounds a game, displaying incredible versatility for someone who is listed at 6’8 and 240 lbs. Bennett does most of his work in the low post, an area where the Cavaliers could seriously benefit from adding a consistent scoring threat. There are some concerns how Bennett’s lack of true size could affect his ability to score inside at the next level, but he’s much longer than the average 6’8 big man and he’s also very explosive. While he likely won’t be as dominant in the interior as he was in college, he should still be a serviceable low-post scorer at the very least.
  
  Bennett can also hit the open jump shot. He made 36-96 from beyond the arc last year. His ability to space the floor would be quite valuable with guards like Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, who are so capable off of the dribble, in the backcourt.
  
  Where Bennett would really be intriguing is in transition, where few power forwards in the league are going to be able to keep up with him because of his speed and versatility. Not only is Bennett going to be capable of grabbing rebounds and helping the Cavaliers complete stops on the defensive end, but he can also take the ball up the floor and ignite the fast break.
  
  What will likely prevent the Cavaliers from taking Bennett more than any deficiency he has is the fact that they already have Tristan Thompson. They’ve made a significant investment in him and so far he’s proven to be worth all the resources used. Thompson was one rebound shy of averaging a double-double in just his second season in the league.
  
  Bennett recently touted himself as a positionless player, though, and there are some who believe he could eventually transition out to playing some small forward. It’d be up to the Cavaliers new head coach Mike Brown to figure out a way to make him combatable with Thompson and another big man, or embrace playing small ball with just Bennett and Thompson inside. It wouldn’t be the most traditional combination, but the potency of it makes it worth considering.
  
  
  Trade The Pick
  
  Nerlens Noel and Otto Porter will probably be pretty good professional basketball players someday, but as in any draft, there’s no guarantee that either will pan out the way their new employers hope. If there’s any possibility that Cleveland could trade the pick for a more established NBA star, then they absolutely should do that, especially with the assets they have at their disposal this summer.
  The Cavaliers not only have the top overall pick, but also pick No. 19 and two of the first three selections in the second round. Throw in about $20 million in cap space, Anderson Varejao’s $9.1 million potentially expiring deal as well as young, inexpensive assets like Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson, and baby, you have yourself a stew brewin’.
  
  Cavs GM Chris Grant himself has said he would consider moving the top pick.
  
  “You want to look at all your options and make the best decision for your team,” Grant said. “This is a valuable asset that we can add to the group, whether it’s in trade or keep it and add a player.”
  
  The problem, of course, is that available superstars are going to be scarce this summer, and it’s not like this is a year in which the No. 1 overall pick is particularly desirable. Despite that, the top pick combined with some of those other assets could potentially yield a big name.
  
  Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge is one possibility. Not that he’s been put on the block, but if Cleveland offered up Thompson and both first round picks next month, Portland would have to at least consider it, right? Grant could make the same offer for Minnesota’s Kevin Love, perhaps substituting Thompson for Varejao or coming up with some other package of picks.
  
  Would Sacramento consider a deal built around those two first-rounders and Varejao for DeMarcus Cousins? It’s not outlandish to think they would, especially if the team’s new ownership decides to part ways with him. He may be the best player who could be considered even remotely attainable this summer, so why wouldn’t Grant at least make that phone call?
  
  Any of these guys would love to play with Irving, and Love in particular really needs a change of scenery. If Cleveland can get one of these teams to nibble, why wouldn’t they ship away their two first-round picks?
• ohiobucks1

  

  According to the members of this board (in the sheep league assuming the the pick is kept):
  
  64% believe taking Noel is the right pick
  3.5% say take Mclemore
  6% dont know who to take
  25.5% say take porter
• sportswizuhrd

  I am all for drafting Porter if it doesn't have any effect on LeBron at least considering coming back to Cleveland. Porter at 2 and Waiters off the bench if LeBron does come back?
• Pick6

  

  sportswizuhrd;1449001 wrote:I am all for drafting Porter if it doesn't have any effect on LeBron at least considering coming back to Cleveland. Porter at 2 and Waiters off the bench if LeBron does come back?

  Not to specifically call you out, but I've seen the whole "Waiters off the bench" thing come up a decent amount. I dont really get it because Waiters was pretty damn good for his rookie season.
• ohiobucks1

  

  Pick6;1449011 wrote:Not to specifically call you out, but I've seen the whole "Waiters off the bench" thing come up a decent amount. I dont really get it because Waiters was pretty damn good for his rookie season.

  And it pisses him off when anyone even suggests it
• Laley23

  

  Pick6;1449011 wrote:Not to specifically call you out, but I've seen the whole "Waiters off the bench" thing come up a decent amount. I dont really get it because Waiters was pretty damn good for his rookie season.

  For now, he needs to start and play. But I dont think he is good enough yet to solidify it moving forward. If you can get a better team with new players which forces him to the bench you do it. This draft doesnt really have one of those players, but if it did, I wouldnt NOT draft a 2G because you have Waiters.
• Mulva

  

  Pick6;1449011 wrote:Not to specifically call you out, but I've seen the whole "Waiters off the bench" thing come up a decent amount. I dont really get it because Waiters was pretty damn good for his rookie season.

  http://nba.si.com/2013/05/21/nba-draft-lottery-2013-orlando-magic-charlotte-bobcats/
  

  We shouldn’t rush to judgment on Waiters, who just completed his rookie season, but the possibility remains that he — and the Cavs — might ultimately be best served by using him as a dominant reserve ball handler rather than a complement to Irving in the starting backcourt.

• ohiobucks1

  

  Mulva;1449016 wrote:http://nba.si.com/2013/05/21/nba-draft-lottery-2013-orlando-magic-charlotte-bobcats/

  
• Pick6

  

  Laley23;1449015 wrote:For now, he needs to start and play. But I dont think he is good enough yet to solidify it moving forward. If you can get a better team with new players which forces him to the bench you do it. This draft doesnt really have one of those players, but if it did, I wouldnt NOT draft a 2G because you have Waiters.

  That's fair enough, but what's being brought up is Waiters being moved to the bench for a player in this year's draft, whether is be McLemore, Oladipo, or even Porter.
  
  I've got full confidence in him. Have read that he is one of, if not the hardest worker on the team, along with TT.
• Laley23

  

  Pick6;1449020 wrote:That's fair enough, but what's being brought up is Waiters being moved to the bench for a player in this year's draft, whether is be McLemore, Oladipo, or even Porter.
  
  I've got full confidence in him. Have read that he is one of, if not the hardest worker on the team, along with TT.

  Yeah, I dont think that would happen.
  
  I mean, if you think those players help your team more because you dont trust Noel or something and they beat out Waiters, thats fine. But I dont see that happening.
  
  Basically, Cavs arent in a position to take only a player of need, imo. They need to take who they think is the best player and will help them the most. Not be selective and pass on a player cause they drafted that position last year. Just draft and see how it all plays out.
• Mulva

  

  Laley23;1449021 wrote:Yeah, I dont think that would happen.
  
  I mean, if you think those players help your team more because you dont trust Noel or something and they beat out Waiters, thats fine. But I dont see that happening.
  
  Basically, Cavs arent in a position to take only a player of need, imo. They need to take who they think is the best player and will help them the most. Not be selective and pass on a player cause they drafted that position last year. Just draft and see how it all plays out.

  This. Kyrie is the only player on the team good enough that you avoid drafting his position (with the #1 pick, at least). Remove the point guards from the board and then go BPA.
• KR1245

  

  I agree that the Cavs need to take the BPA. That being said, I don't think there is a SG in this draft that will be a better player than Dion.
• Tigerfan00

  

  
• Tigerfan00

  

  [video=youtube;BhoibJDPv2g][/video]
• CLEconomically Speaking

  

  I want Otto Porter at 1, and I want them to get up to get Steven Adams (C from Pitt)
• mucalum49

  

  CLEconomically Speaking;1449133 wrote:I want Otto Porter at 1, and I want them to get up to get Steven Adams (C from Pitt)

  There's the kiss of death it's definitely Nerlens. Since Tyler Bray was such a lock
  
  I kid, I kid... I'm still on this train of thought as well but not as against Nerlens as I was on lottery night. Reading the cliff notes of Calipari's interview last week on Cleveland radio sold me a little. If he played at 225 and could gain 15-20 pounds to get him to 240-250 (most likely offseason before 2014-15 season) I'd love to have his play making ability on the team. Watched some game tape of him as well and he truly is a special talent on defense. And he's got a decent baby hook shot already but most his points would come off dunks/offensive rebounds for the first few years. Someone on RCF also made a good point saying we weren't losing games last year because we couldn't outscore teams but rather we couldn't stop anybody. Noel would help with that right off the bat.
  
  With a few offensive moves and the addition of 15-20 pounds I think he has great potential. And we could have Lob City east with Irving/Noel running teams out of the gym. I still haven't left the Potter bandwagon yet but my mind has been put at ease if Grant decides that Noel is his guy.
• Mulva

  

  mucalum49;1449169 wrote:Someone on RCF also made a good point saying we weren't losing games last year because we couldn't outscore teams but rather we couldn't stop anybody. Noel would help with that right off the bat..

  D was a bigger issue, but the offense needs addressed too, especially with mike brown coming in.
  
  29th in fg%, t22 in true fg%. 23rd in overall efficiency.
  
  We put up middle of the pack points because of uptempo pace (aka more possessions) and a pretty good offensive rebounding rate, but on a per-possession basis we were lousy.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Rockets are trading Thomas Robinson to make room for D Howard.
  
  Any interest in t-rob?
• Midstate01

  

  SportsAndLady;1450436 wrote:Rockets are trading Thomas Robinson to make room for D Howard.
  
  Any interest in t-rob?

  
  I have none. But I realize they could probably do it for 2nd rounders and his contract is small and will be off books in 2 seasons. But hes been awful, like I said he would be. But I assumed you'd see he was available and ask.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Midstate01;1450447 wrote:I have none. But I realize they could probably do it for 2nd rounders and his contract is small and will be off books in 2 seasons. But hes been awful, like I said he would be. But I assumed you'd see he was available and ask.

  Twas his rookie season. Doesn't mean he's going to be awful forever.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  SportsAndLady;1450436 wrote:Rockets are trading Thomas Robinson to make room for D Howard.
  
  Any interest in t-rob?

  Nope. 3rd team in 2 yrs, sounds like Michael Beasley.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Commander of Awesome;1450450 wrote:Nope. 3rd team in 2 yrs, sounds like Michael Beasley.

  1 year actually
• mucalum49

  

  SportsAndLady;1450436 wrote:Rockets are trading Thomas Robinson to make room for D Howard.
  
  Any interest in t-rob?

  Our later 2nd of the 2 second round picks we have and Memphis' 2nd rounder next year for T-Rob. Gets his salary off the books and Houston gets two non guaranteed contract draft picks. Is T-Rob really worse than a CJ Leslie type who'll be there if we draft at the top of the second round? Although I know we'll probably use our second rounders as well as our #19 to try and move up so that gets in the way though.
  
  But the more I think we take Noel the more I think we should just go for a 3&D type SF. Reggie Bullock comes to mind.
  
  Draft Noel & Bullock and trade for T-Rob.
  
  Irving-Waiters-Bullock-Thompson-AV
  
  Livingston-Gee-Miles-Ellington-Noel-TRob-Zeller come off the bench. Obviously Noel starts eventually but I'm thinking for early next year.