With the Cleveland Cavaliers starting to run out of steam and the playoffs becoming more of a dream than a reality, the NBA draft and off-season is starting to become the focus for fans of the team.
Coach Byron Scott will likely start to give more minutes to some of the younger players wearing the wine and gold in an effort to see if they can be contributors in 2012-13, much like they found out about Alonzo Gee last spring.
To that end, we should see more time for Manny Harris at shooting guard and Donald Sloan will be the primary back up for Kyrie Irving to see if he can handle the point when the likely Rookie of the Year is on the bench.
Harris has been seeing more action in recent games due to Daniel Gibson’s ankle injury, but veteran leadership aside, is there any reason to continue to give Anthony Parker minutes?
He won’t be back next year, in a playing capacity at least, and you can make a case that Gibson won’t be returning either.
Gibson has certainly improved as a defender since Scott took over as coach, but his shot has been inconsistent, and his injuries more frequent recently. He’s not a reliable player at this point in his career.
As for the NBA draft, several mock drafts have been published, many having GM Chris Grant drafting for size with the team’s first pick in the first round.
The experts are probably incorrect.
NBA teams are always looking for size, and everyone can name a big man bust taken in the top ten.
While the Cavs certainly could use another quality big man, their need for a shooting guard/small forward trumps that.
Watching Florida’s Bradley Beal in the NCAA tournament had many Cleveland fans picturing what he would look like in the wine and gold, including us.
He could be just what the doctor ordered, and there is a good possibility he could be available in the 7-10th pick range, when Grant likely will be picking.
There will be other big guards available when Cleveland makes their first selection, such as UConn’s Jeremy Lamb, Duke guard Austin Rivers, and maybe a guy like North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes will fall in that range.
With only a few real keepers on the roster, the Cavaliers could use help just about anywhere, but they need someone else who can put the ball in the basket.
Remember, their second leading scorer, Antawn Jamison, is a free agent and Grant has to replace his 17 points per night.
That’s why the Cavs need to find a scorer this summer, and it is doubtful they will be able to find one in free agency.
Grant will have three more picks, most likely in the top 40 selections to draft a couple of big men, or use the choices to deal for a veteran or to move up in the draft.
A serviceable veteran center or power forward would be more likely to sign with Cleveland in free agency than a big time scorer.
After getting Kyrie Irving to be the cornerstone of the future last year, and adding another starter in Tristan Thompson in the same draft, Grant needs to add another impact player in June.
A player who can team with Irving and Thompson to form a core for the next few seasons.
He can’t take a project who won’t be able to get on the court for three or four years. Grant knows this and will look for the right fit, probably at a wing position.
Once again, the GM’s talent evaluation skills will be key.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 