It is no secret that what the Cleveland Cavaliers need more than anything else is a point guard. Whether they can get one at Pick No. 25 remains to be seen.
It is true that San Antonio picked Tony Parker with the last pick in the first round in 2001. And that Dallas got Josh Howard in the same slot in 2003. But for every guy like that, there are about 100 that never did anything meaningful on an NBA court.
And when it comes to the Cavs, I can name more than a few that were drafted much higher than 25 who never produced much of anything either. Trajan Langdon, Dajuan Wagner, DeSegana Diop*, Luke Jackson, and even the current GM of the Cavaliers Danny Ferry were never worth the number they were picked in the draft.
So now that the Cavs finally ended their playoff drought, they have a pick down at No. 25. That isn't really a very exciting number. So what is the best possible scenario for the Cavs tonight?
The bottom line is that the Cavs need to make progress immediately. You can't waste years with a guy like LeBron James on your roster. Also, if you want any hopes of keeping him around in a smaller market like Cleveland, then you really need to show all possible commitments to getting better. So, how can the Cavs heed this advice on draft night?
Here are my suggestions:
Number One: Try to address team needs at point guard, but also have an eye out for the best player available.
If a guy who is 6'10" happens to drop into the Cavs sights and he is better than any of the point guards available, then I expect to see the Cavs take talent over need. With Drew Gooden's status unknown, the Cavs might have a need before you know it.
The point is that depth is depth regardless of where you have strengths. Within reason, you can always scheme to keep your best players on the floor even if there is some crossover in the positions they play. Obviously you can't play three centers, but if you have guys who can float between the 3 and 4 spots then you could have a very dangerous rotation of weapons.
Just make sure you don't draft some guy who will never contribute because he happens to play point. The Cavs did this twice at center when they were unsure of Zydrunas Ilgauskas' health, by drafting DeSegana Diop and Chris Mihm who never performed up to the standard of their draft day slot.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
I think you have the situation sized up well but I think more than a PG the Cavs need a great shooter- someone for LeBron to kick it out to when the defense collapses on him.
2 - Craig Lyndall
I might agree normally, but I think that Donyell Marshall and Larry Hughes will bounce back from their down years and present more difficulties for teams than they did this year.
The best of both worlds would be a point guard with some range like a Jason Terry. :-)
3 - djfreq
I'm just waiting for the Raptors to somehow screw this up .. Can we all say Sam Bowie?
4 - DJRadiohead
The only thing preventing the Raptors from screwing this up spectacularly is that none of these top guys are all that exciting.
5 - Craig Lyndall
They should trade down for volume so they can get multiple picks, throw them all against the wall and hopefully something sticks.
6 - Matthew T. Sussman
I have two words for you -- rather, one letter and one color:
Dee Brown.
7 - Craig Lyndall
I like that. A guy from a big program who has played in some big games. Hell, maybe Reebok will make a shoe with little inflatable bags in it and a pump built into the tongu... oh wait...
Sorry just had deja vu.
8 - FilteringCraig
And the Cavs take Shannon Brown from Michigan State... people seem to think it is a decent pick... nice size for a guard and he can apparently shoot... should be a nice offensive weapon to take the load off
9 - Matthew T. Sussman
Shannon is a girl's name.
Yes, I've heard good things too of that pick. We'll see.