2013 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers select Anthony Bennett with first-overall pick
June 27, 2013Animated: ESPN’s Bill Simmons reacts to the Cavs selecting Anthony Bennett
June 27, 2013With the 19th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers added small forward Sergey Karasev from Russia.
Karasev has been considered as one of the best small forwards in the draft. He is heady, aggressive and comes equipped with one of the better shots from the wing position. At 6-foot-8-inches, the 19-year-old Karasev is athletic, can pass the ball and will help spread the floor for Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. The Russian sharpshooter shot up boards only in April after a stellar performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, and is widely considered one of the more NBA-ready players in the draft.
Like Anthony Bennet, Karasev could struggle on defense early on. That said, he’s young, possesses a high basketball IQ, will be learning under Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown and will be able to play instantly. Also, Karasev reportedly held his opposing shooters to a 28.6 field goal percentage on spot-ups, which ranked in the 95th percentile in all European competition.
It had been rumored that the Cavaliers would trade up to the No. 13 pick to secure Karasev, but it appears Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant played his cards right. The Cavaliers did not take on any additional contracts and still own picks No. 31 and 33.
[Related: Cavaliers select Anthony Bennett with first-overall pick]
14 Comments
so much for needing to get up to 13 for him 🙂
Love the pick
and yes, I wanted Franklin. I understand the desire for shooting though. Hopefully, Franklin ends up in Indiana to backup the George’s (Hill and Paul)
YES! Thrilled to get some wing shooting. Thrilled that we didn’t need to get to #13 to get him.
I didn’t realize Nogueira got traded to ATL. I was really hoping we would end up with him and Marion from Dallas, to go with Bennett and Karasev. That woulda been incredible.
This worked out so well. I was mega happy as I saw him fall.
Yea that was surprising. I liked what I saw reminds me of a younger slender Toni Kukoc.
Draft Gobert and stash him overseas in round 2.
Franklin still there don’t give up hope yet!
DAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM not Rudy @ 27! McGee and Gobert yikes.
oh, i’m not. here’s there now and we’re ON THE CLOCK.
*fingers crossed*
Yep…Boston gave the Nets an early Xmas present too!
They took Crabbe interesting.
LeBron will fit perfectly on this team next year way to go Grant!!!