Thursday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers take the next step in building the future of the franchise.
Last year, they drafted Kyrie Irving with the first pick in the draft, and he was named NBA Rookie of the Year, and shows every indication that he will be an all-star in the league for many years to come.
They also added PF Tristan Thompson, who improved greatly from the beginning of the season to the end, but should still improve greatly (as should Irving) in his second year in the NBA.
He’ll be a starter in the league, but it would be a stretch right now to say he could ever be an elite player.
There is no question the Cavs need more talent. A look at their roster right now doesn’t show a lot of keepers.
Certainly, there is Irving and Thompson. Anderson Varejao is a quality NBA big man, but is also going to be 30 years old this September and has been injured the last two years. Alonzo Gee showed last year he can be a contributor, but looks to be more of a sixth man type.
Samardo Samuels is a good reserve big man, and Donald Sloan came to the team after Ramon Sessions was dealt, and looks to be able to back up Irving at point guard.
GM Chris Grant and Byron Scott hope Omri Casspi can help off the bench, and Daniel Gibson can contribute, but has a history of missing games due to injuries.
So, overall, the wine and gold seem to have a good bench, but they need to help the starting lineup. Thankfully, they have two first round draft picks to help address that.
That’s why Grant probably isn’t looking for projects with the 4th selection on Thursday night. He needs someone who can step right in and start on opening night. That’s why the Cavs are looking at Florida’s Bradley Beal, Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Kansas’ Thomas Robinson. They will get one of those players at four.
Connecticut C Andre Drummond has been mentioned by some draft gurus as the Cavaliers’ pick, but he’s a project who probably will not be ready to contribute in the 2012-13 season. Plus, he’s a boom or bust pick. Could be Dwight Howard, but could be DeSagana Diop.
Beal is the scorer the team needs, especially since Antawn Jamison is no longer with the team. They need someone who can put the ball in the basket. At 6’4″, he has a 6’7″ wing span, but isn’t considered an explosive jumper. All in all, he could make Cleveland set at the guard position for the foreseeable future.
Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t really a scorer, but can do everything else well. At 6’7″, he’s athletic, can run the floor, and is a good defender. He’s a good all around player, but isn’t a good shooter. He likes to take everything to the basket because he’s not confident in his jump shot, which he would need in the NBA.
Robinson is 6’9″, is strong and can jump. He doesn’t have polished post moves at this point. He does have the ability to get to the line and is a solid jump shooter. He’s a more offensively polished Thompson.
Besides Drummond, another guy who makes us raise an eyebrow is Harrison Barnes. Barnes was supposed to be the best freshman coming into college two years ago, but has never really dominated in the college ranks. He seems afraid to be great, which isn’t a good attribute for an NBA player.
Thursday night will be the next step for Grant and the Cavs’ organization. They need to find players who can start and be stars in the NBA going forward. This isn’t the time to take a player who may be good in three to four years.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 