May 25, 2013

2013 NBA Draft Lottery – Cavs win! Nerlens Noel, Kevin Love, Chris Bosh? – WFNY Podcast – 2013-05-22

May 22, 2013 by 2 Comments

WFNY Podcast LogoScott joined me for about 20 minutes to discuss the Cavaliers goings on since winning the NBA draft lottery last night. Here’s what we talked about more specifically.

  • The turmoil of having the first overall pick in the draft

  • What do you think about the trade down cuteness?

  • Due diligence and just how little fans and media can do

  • Nerlens Noel and how good he needs to be in order for Grant to justify taking him

  • Do you trust Chris Grant to avoid the tendency to chase height and need?

  • Kevin Love and how unavailable he really is

  • James Harden wasn’t available until he was either

  • Lamarcus Aldridge and his availability

  • Marc Gasol and his ability to be moved

  • Chris Bosh’s name and how nobody has talked about it yet

  • Free agency pool and who you would look at in free agency

  • Zach Lowe’s critique of the NBA lottery event and the Cavs

  • Players and how goofy they look on the dais [Read more...]

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If I’m Chris Grant, my first call is to the Dallas Mavericks

May 22, 2013 by 15 Comments

A report came out just after the draft lottery was completed that the Dallas Mavericks are interested in trading out of their lottery pick. Dallas missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade plus, but want to save the salary cap space that the 13th pick in the draft would get in order to pursue Dwight Howard.

“Multiple sources told ESPN.com’s Chad Ford that the Mavs are likely to trade the pick to help create the cap space necessary to make a run at Dwight Howard in free agency. The 13th overall pick has a cap hold of $1,655,300.” [ESPN Dallas]

The first round draft picks come with a cap hold. That means that any player the Mavericks draft at number 13 would count $1.66 million against the cap. If they were to trade that pick for any pick in the first round, they would have at least an $880K hit against the cap. (The Cavaliers’ 19th pick has a cap hold of $1.22 million.)

However, in the second round they could draft any player they wanted from Europe, keep their draft rights and it wouldn’t count a dime against the cap until they came over to the states to play.

Here’s why that is particularly interesting to the Cavaliers- Cleveland owns the 1st and 3rd picks in the second round. [Read more...]

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Report: Terrence Ross to have last minute workout for Cavaliers

June 27, 2012 by 8 Comments

Pro Basketball Draft.com is reporting that the Cavaliers are bringing in Terrence Ross for a last minute workout. The 6’7″ wing played for the Washington Huskies and is expected to be drafted in the 11-17 range. The Cavaliers have reportedly been talking trade with anyone who will listen in an attempt to move back into the lottery.

Would the Cavaliers have enough trade ammunition to make a move for Ross? Who knows at this point. Chad Ford has Ross going off the board at 13 to the Suns. Another question might be would the Cavaliers would take 2 wings in the first round? Or could Ross be the pick if the Cavaliers trade out of #4 and obtain an extra lottery pick?

Here is Draft Express’ scouting video on Ross.

 

[Related: 2012 NBA Draft: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes and Growing Debates]

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NBA Draft 2012: Time To Go Get Brad Beal?

June 23, 2012 by 31 Comments

The NBA Draft is upon us, and the Cavaliers and their fans are sure to have an eventful week, climaxing on Thursday night. The Cavs hold the No. 4 overall pick in a Draft that has little locked in after Anthony Davis at No. 1 for New Orleans. After Davis, there’s another five prospects who have all consistently been rumored within the top four — the big man duo of Thomas Robinson and Andre Drummond, and Harrison Barnes, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bradley Beal. At one time or another, the Cavaliers have been linked with all of these prospects, with a consensus coalescing around the latter three.

The Cavs, of course, will not have their pick of the litter at No. 4. It’s likely that Beal, for one, is off the board before Chris Grant is on the clock. In comes Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, who reported yesterday that many league executives expect Grant to approach the Bobcats with a trade for the No. 2 pick: [Read more...]

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Kennedy: Teams trying to trade into top 4 to select Beal

June 19, 2012 by 13 Comments

Hoopsworld’s Alex Kennedy has spoken to team executives who believe that the Cavaliers will draft Florida’s Bradley Beal if he is still available when Cleveland selects at number four-

“There’s no way Beal slips out of the top four,” said one league source. The Cleveland Cavaliers will draft him if he’s available at four.”

This really isn’t news, however another tweet from Kennedy about Beal is interesting-

“Executives are falling in love with Bradley Beal. Teams are trying to trade into the top four to select Beal, according to multiple sources.”

The Bobcats were reported to be shopping the second pick, but do these teams value Beal over Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson? It’s a high price to pay for the second pick. The Wizards have maintained all along that they are holding onto the third pick. It appears that anyone trying to trade into the top four would have to do so with Charlotte or Cleveland.

[Related: Cavs plans at 4 need not include a center]

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Report: Bobcats still shopping second-overall pick

June 13, 2012 by 40 Comments

Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld reports that the Charlotte Bobcats are shopping the second overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft, despite team statements that they are set at taking a player at two-

“The Charlotte Bobcats continue to shop the second overall pick. Only one problem… “They want A LOT in return,” said league source.”

Interesting. What exactly is A LOT? Multiple picks? A combination of picks and players?

Then there is also this from Kennedy-

“The New Orleans Hornets are shopping the tenth pick. They’d move it if the right deal came along. They want a guard,” said a league source.”

Could the Cavaliers package anything to move from 24 to 10?

[Related: What do the Cavaliers have to do?]

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NBA Draft Rumors: Cavs Targeting Harrison Barnes With 4th Pick

June 6, 2012 by 31 Comments

A report from Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated on Wednesday morning indicates that the Cavaliers’ front office is targeting North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in the this month’s NBA Draft. Amick states that it’s unlikely Chris Grant will let Barnes go past No. 4, if he’s available there. Chad Ford wrote last week that Cavs were hoping to get either Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Brad Beal, but it’s also likely those two follow Anthony Davis to round out the three picks ahead of Cleveland. But according to Amick, Barnes is certainly in the running as well, perhaps even if either MKG or Beal are still out there. From Amick at SI:

The Cavaliers are very high on the 20-year-old small forward and appear unlikely to let him slip past them at the No. 4 slot in the June 28 draft, according to sources. While this week’s predraft combine in Chicago and subsequent team workouts could always change things, rival executives are planning for Barnes to be off the board by the time the fifth pick (Sacramento) rolls around.

“He’s a pretty big deal to them,” one such executive said.

Grant would certainly have a tough decision to make, but it seems like they’ve been high on Barnes for two full years of scouting now. Of course, it also helps that he has a very close friendship and shares an agent with 2011 pick and Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. Both Barnes and Irving were considered the top two prospects of their high school class.

[Related: What Should The Cavs Do At #4]

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NBA Trade Rumors: Cavs Discussing Three Team Deal to Land 1st & 2nd Picks in Draft

May 28, 2011 by 34 Comments

Chris Broussard is reporting this afternoon that the Cavaliers are discussing a potential 3 team trade that would net them the 2nd pick in the draft.  The Cavs would then take Kyrie Irving at number one and Arizona’s Derrick Williams at number two.

The deal would involve the Timberwolves and the Pistons.  The Cavs would take on Rip Hamilton’s contract via the trade exception and also acquire Detroit’s 8th pick.  They would then spin the 4th and 8th picks into the 2nd overall in a deal with Minnesota.  Broussard added the disclaimer that the trade is being discussed at this point and nothing is imminent.

WFNY’s Scott is reporting that particular deal tweeted by Broussard is unlikely.  An initial source with the Cavs put considerable doubt on that specific trade rumor, indicating that the Pistons would demand more, and that the Cavs don’t value Williams enough to burn picks – they’d rather use the 1st, 4th, and 8th picks in that hypothetical.  A second source told Scott the reported deal is “bogus.” All this stems from the Pistons desperate desire to unload the expensive, aging, and disgruntled Hamilton.  It’s still early in the process with a lot of “discussions” taking place.  No trade is imminent.

It’s certainly an appealing scenario for Cavs fans.  Coming away with Irving and Williams in one night would be a delicious outcome.  Thus, a third source told Scott that the deal between the three teams is not far-fetched.  We have a month to go but, as is his wont, Dan Gilbert is exploring all options, including those where the Cavaliers take on more money to gain the opportunity to add young talent.  Follow WFNYScott on Twitter for the latest draft rumors.

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