With their draft positions inching closer and closer to being finalized, the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Chad Ford has the Cavaliers addressing their wing positions in one fell swoop.
With the third-overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select:
Bradley Beal, SG, Florida. If the Cavs can stay in the top three, it’s a huge outcome for them. The Cavs scored big time when they landed Kyrie Irving last year. They would complete their backcourt overhaul if they could put Beal next to him. That would give them two high-octane scorers who can both handle the ball, get to the rim and shoot it — an ideal scenario for the Cavs.
Ford admits that it’s a toss-up between Beal and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for the Washington Wizards who are currently pegged with the second-overall selection. Assuming that they miss out on the small forward in MKG, the Cavaliers will look to bolster said position with the pick they acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers, selecting St. John’s Mo Harkless — a Trevor Ariza clone who can score and defend while bringing plenty of size.
“Put [Harkless] on the floor with Kyrie Irving, Brad Beal, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao,” said Ford, “and the Cavs suddenly have a team that should be fighting for the playoffs again.”
[Related: Instead of Fixing Tanking, NBA Should Remove the Lottery]


