Maybe we can revive the trade by throwing in Courtney Lee, pick 14 and pick 23. Detroit gets pick 14 and 23 (and dumps Rip's contract), Minnesota gets Lee and pick 8, Cleveland gets pick 2 and Rip, Houston gets pick 4. Then we can nab either Kanter or Valanciunas at 4.
Cavs have to play with the hand their dealt. There is no Durant or LeBron in this draft. Unlike previous drafts, there is no standout player hyped to be the next superstar. Cleveland will just have to get the best player available. They would be lucky to trade out for a unprotected 2012 1st pick from a bad team, but it is unlikely. Other teams know 2012 will be deeper than 2011 draft. If I am the Cavaliers, I draft Irving and go for center instead. A defensive C can be the foundation of a team's defense, rebounding and shot blocking. Jonas Valanciunas would be a better choice than tweener Derrick Williams. The lack of centers in the league will make a C valuable, even if that player is projected to only be a defensive specialist. If they want offensive C, they could go for Kanter.
Irving is ok as a core piece, he has the "alpha dog" personality and seems mature enough to become the centerpiece and build around. Derrick Williams is a tweener, and I've never heard of a tweener becoming a superstar in the NBA. He's just too small for the pf spot, and lacks lateral quickness to be elite in the sf spot. With a draft like this, trading up is a major mistake, Cavs should stick with the 4th and 8th picks and get three guys instead of trading up for Derrick Williams. Irving, Kanter Bismack Biyombo? Well too bad the trade's dead.
These kind of debates always make me laugh. All anyone would have to do is youtube Manu and see that he is (was) basically a Euro D-Wade
Nobody is trading their high draft pick next year. Right idea, right draft. Now the issue is convincing Detroit to take Varejao and/or finding other teams to compensate Detroit for the 8th pick.
Nothing has really changed. The problem is there isn't a clear #1, not even Williams, so this means the players passed over could be one of the few that develop into something special. [ One of these is not like the others... Manu IS athletic. He's got it all besides great strength. I dont think you understand the true definition of athleticism. All your doing is defining it as strength, power, and speed. There's more to it than that. Even Nash is athletic. Unathletic players would be guys like Shawn bradley who arent fast, strong, lacks coordination, endurance, balance etc..
