Syracuse shooting guard Dion Waiters could be the Cavs pick in the draft.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerSyracuse shooting guard Dion Waiters, shown against Ohio State last season, averaged 12.6 points last season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers could be targeting Syracuse shooting guard Dion Waiters with the No. 4 pick in tonight's 2012 NBA Draft, two sources have told The Plain Dealer.

The move would be quite surprising, on a par with their unexpected selection of Texas power forward Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft. The Cavs had taken Duke point guard kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick in tthat draft.

While the Cavs have been in search of more scoring and athleticism on the wings, it had been believed they were considering North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes, Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal, or Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with their first pick.

Waiters, 6-4, 221, averaged 12.6 points last season at Syracuse, shooting 47.6 percent from the field, including 36.3 percent on 3-pointers. He shot 72.9 at the foul line.

The one word used to describe him more often than any other is "explosive." Scouts like his body and his strength and the fact that he can create his own shot and/or shoot over people.

Probasketballdraft.com analyst says Waiters is gaining favor with Cavs for his aggressiveness at the offensive end; and Varejao may be on trading block. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Bill Lubinger of The Plain Dealer.

NBA Draft 2012 is tonight, and the Cavaliers have several options with their picks at No. 4 and No. 24 in the first round.

Today's guest on SBTV is Joe Kotoch of Probasketballdraft.com.

The site has its final mock draft posted, as well as an analysis of what the Cavs might be thinking.

Joe says that he expects the Cavaliers to end up with Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist if they stay at No. 4. But he adds that sources are telling him the Cavs have ranked Florida's Bradley Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist and Syracuse shooting guard Dion Waiters ranked in that order.

He also says that he has heard that the Cavs offered power forward/center Anderson Varejao in a trade for a first-round pick but the deal was not accepted.

SBTV will return Friday.

The NBA Draft is tonight: who will the Cavaliers select at No. 4? Will they make a deal? Join our live audio broadcast and online chat from Mullarkeys Pub in Willoughby from 6:30-7:35 p.m.

Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerWho do you want the Cavs to pick at No. 4?

On today's PD Sports Insider, Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore, discussed the latest Cleveland sports news. Mary Schmitt Boyer came on to talk about the NBA draft and what the Cavaliers might do. Tom Reed then called in and talked Browns with the crew. Watch video

Stay tuned for the next show Thursday, July 5 at noon.

Be sure to like PD Sports Insider on Facebook

About the show: PD Sports Insider airs live every Thursday at noon. Co-hosted by The Plain Dealers Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore, the show features a timely and lively debate of the biggest sports topics of the day and gives readers a chance to interact directly with PD sportswriters and columnists.

Viewers have to the opportunity to ask questions and post comments in a live chat room during the show. They can also their video questions during the week. Fans who miss the live show can watch the archive, available a few hours later.

As expected, left-hander Scott Barnes was optioned to Class AAA Columbus to make room for right-hander Zach McAllister to be added to the 25-man roster. McAllister will start against Baltimore on Thursday night.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerZach McAllister starts tonight.

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Zach McAllister will make his fifth start for the Indians on Thursday night when he faces the Orioles at Camden Yards.

McAllister was recalled from Class AAA Columbus. Left-hander Scott Barnes was optioned to Columbus to make room.

This is McAllister's third tour with the Tribe this year. He takes a 1-1 record with a 3.96 ERA into Thursday's meeting with the Orioles and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen at Camden Yards. He has never faced the Orioles.

McAllister, 24, went 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 11 starts at Columbus. He's allowed 21 earned runs on 59 hits in 63 1/3 innings. He's struck out 52, walked 19 and the opposition is hitting .251 against him.

With the Indians, McAllister won his first big-league game by May 7 against the White Sox. He's allowed 11 earned runs on 25 hits in 25 innings. He's struck out 22, walked six and the opposition is hitting .255 against him.

Barnes finished his second tour with the Tribe. At Columbus, he's 0-2 with a 3.73 ERA in 14 games.

Hamilton signed: The Indians signed Kent State infielder Nick Hamilton on Thursday. Hamilton, the son of Indians broadcaster Tom Hamilton, will report to Goodyear, Ariz., where the Indians train.

Hamilton, 22, hit .337 (60-for-178) with 12 doubles, two triples, one homer and 35 RBI in 54 at Kent. He's a switch-hitter who helped Kent reach the College World Series.

The Indians have signed 19 of their 40 selections from this year's draft.

Manager Manny Acta tells the players to relax and keep the team's recent struggles in perspective.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerManny Acta told the Indians to take a deep breath and remember that the baseball season is a long one, with many ups and downs.

BALTIMORE, Md. -- On Wednesday morning, manager Manny Acta said he didn't call team meetings unless he detected a lack of effort from his players. The Indians proceeded to lose, 5-4, to the Yankees to extend their season-long losing streak to five games.

On Thursday, Acta met with the Indians before their four-game series against Baltimore, but it had nothing to do with lack of effort. Their 5-4 loss to the Yankees was one of their best games on this 10-game trip.

This was a take-a-deep breath meeting.

"We wanted to let the guys know that it's a very long season and it's a roller-coaster ride," said Acta. "A week ago we were sitting pretty in first place when we left Cleveland. A week later you're going through your struggles.

"It's about staying positive, sticking together, doing what you're supposed to do and not panicking."

Acta said every team in the AL Central has gone through a streak like this. Until the Indians lost Tuesday to the Yankees, their longest losing streak of the season was three games.

"It won't be the last one," said Acta. "When you play 162 games, teams go through it more than once."

Comeback trail: Travis Hafner went 1-for-3 Wednesday night in his first rehab game with Class AAA Columbus.

"He did well," said Acta. "He went first to third and the knee held up well."

Hafner had a day off Thursday and will continue his rehab over the weekend. If all goes well, he'll rejoin the Indians next week during the final homestand before the All-Star break.

Longing for a lefty: The Indians could use veteran left-hander Rafael Perez right about now.

Their current lefties, Tony Sipp and Nick Hagadone, aren't pitching well. Sipp has allowed nine earned runs in his past nine games, pushing his ERA from 5.40 to 6.66. Hagadone has allowed 10 earned runs in his past four innings, vaulting his ERA from 2.75 to 6.08.

Perez last appeared in a game April 25. He's been rehabbing a strained left lat muscle ever since. When asked about Perez's status, and when he might return, the team has been guarded.

Whatever the situation, Perez's production is missed.

"He's very durable guy who has done a very good job for us," said Acta. "Just like everything in life, you don't realize how much you're going to miss somebody until they're actually not there.

"We've noticed it more because of Tony's struggles. When they were both here, and one of them was struggling, we could lean on the other guy until the other guy came out of it. That's what is going on now."

As for Hagadone, the lefty is lost for an explanation.

"Everything I'm throwing is ending up in the seats," he said.

Roster move: To get Zach McAllister on the roster before Thursday's game, lefty Scott Barnes was optioned to Class AAA Columbus.

This is McAllister's third tour with the Tribe this year. He took a 1-1 record with a 3.96 ERA into Thursday's game against the Orioles.

McAllister, 24, went 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 11 starts at Columbus. Barnes finished his second tour with the Tribe. At Columbus, he's 0-2 with a 3.73 ERA in 14 games.

Hamilton signed: The Indians signed Kent State infielder Nick Hamilton on Thursday. Hamilton, the son of Indians broadcaster Tom Hamilton, will report to Goodyear, Ariz., where the Indians train.

Hamilton, 22, hit .337 (60-for-178) with 12 doubles, two triples, one homer and 35 RBI in 54 at Kent. He's a switch-hitter who helped Kent reach the College World Series.

Finally: Catcher Carlos Santana (back, right ribs) was given the night off Thursday. Acta said the Indians are trying to make sure his injuries don't develop into something serious. . . . Former Tribe outfielder Wayne Kirby is coaching first base for the Orioles. Rick Adair, former Tribe pitching coach, is the Orioles' pitching coach.

The Cavaliers acquiring North Carolina center Tyler Zeller from Dallas for the Nos. 24, 33 and 34 picks in the 2012 NBA Draft.

APTyler Zeller, shown during a game last season with North Carolina, has been acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade, according to reports.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cavaliers  obtained North Carolina center Tyler Zeller, selected No. 17 by the Dallas Mavericks, for the Nos. 24, 33 and 34 picks in the 2012 NBA Draft on Thursday night.

The Cavaliers selected Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham with the No. 24 pick, Florida State 27-year-old center Bernard James, an Air Force veteran, with the No. 33 pick and Marquette forward Jae Crowder with the No. 34 pick to send to the Mavericks.

The Cavs managed to address both of their main needs by picking up scoring and athleticism on the wing and size inside.

Ownership group might buy and renovate Rubber Bowl.

View full sizePaul Tople, Akron Beacon JournalA group interested in bringing a team in the USFL to Akron also has an offer to buy the Rubber Bowl and renovate the facility that was last used for football in 2008.

AKRON, Ohio -- Akron is being considered as a possible site for a team in the revived United States Football League.

League representatives spent from Tuesday night through Thursday morning meeting with Akron city officials and a potential ownership group.

"We're 95 percent positive we're ready to move forward," said Sean Mason, principal of Team1 Sports Group, an affiliate of Canton-based Team1 Marketing.

Mason said the investor group also has an offer to buy the Rubber Bowl from the University of Akron, with plans to renovate the stadium for the USFL team. He declined to reveal the purchase price because the deal isn't closed yet. A second meeting between the possible franchise owners and the USFL is planned late next month, either in Akron or the league office in San Diego.

The new eight-team USFL would begin a proposed 14-game season in March.

League representatives have identified about 14 cities with interest in a franchise. Akron was the first stop. Jaime Cuadra, USFL president and chief executive officer, said a group in Columbus is also interested.

"We will definitely not rule out having two teams in Ohio," he said.

Each ownership group must put up $7.5 million for the first year -- $1 million for league membership and $6.5 million for operations, from salaries and uniforms to advertising.

"We're good with our financing," Mason said.

The league hopes to identify the locations of the eight teams by Sept. 1, Cuadra said. Among the other potential cities are Austin and San Antonio, Texas, Portland, Ore., and Salt Lake City.

Former Browns nose tackle Bob Golic has been hired by the league as a liaison between the Akron franchise and the USFL.

The original USFL operated from 1983 to 1987 before disbanding.

The Indians end a five-game losing streak in style Thursday as they hit three homers, beat a left-hander and help rookie Zach McAllister earn his second victory in the big leagues.

BALTIMORE, Md. — The Indians beat a left-handed starter, flexed their muscles and ended a five-game losing streak Thursday night at Camden Yards.

So who has the parade permit for Euclid Avenue?

Johnny Damon, Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera homered, and rookie Zach McAllister pitched 5 innings as the Indians defeated the Orioles, 7-2, in their first actual proof of life since this 10-game trip started a week ago in Houston.

"Every win feels good and every loss stings the same, regardless of how many there are," manager Manny Acta said. "It's good just to snap out of this and not even have to think about it."

The Indians started the night 5-16 in games started by lefties, so it was no accident they were facing left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (7-4, 3.73). He had won three of his past four starts, but Damon hit a three-run homer in the second and Choo followed with a solo homer in the fifth. They were the first homers for Damon and Choo against a lefty this season.

"Johnny Damon, who has a very good history in this ballpark, pretty much set the tone for us," Acta said. "He gave us some relief from the get-go with an early lead."

Damon is a lifetime .313 (149-for-476) hitter with 22 homers and 80 RBI at Camden Yards.

"I've been lucky a few times here," Damon said.

"That's why going into the off-season, after Tampa Bay signed [former Oriole] Luke Scott, I thought these guys would come and get me. Obviously, they decided against it, and that's OK with me.

"Now [we] have to go out and fight and take back what we had just a week ago."

When the Indians started this trip, they were in first place in the AL Central. The five-game losing streak knocked them into second, and Acta held a team meeting before Thursday's game to remind his players that the season is a long and winding road and to stay grounded.

Damon's homer gave the Tribe a 3-0 lead. Jose Lopez singled and Michael Brantley walked to set the table. Damon, who entered the game hitting .219 (7-for-32) against lefties, homered on a 1-0 pitch.

Choo, who entered the game hitting .188 (16-for-85) against lefties, drove a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence with two out for a 4-0 lead.

It proved to be good timing as McAllister (2-1, 3.82) gave up a two-run homer to J.J. Hardy with two out in the fifth to make it 4-2. McAllister, recalled from Class AAA Columbus before the game, has allowed just two homers in five starts for the Tribe this year.

McAllister struck out six, walked one and allowed seven hits.

"This was exciting," McAllister said. "Everyone knew we needed to get a win. I was just trying to help the team."

McAllister replaced demoted Jeanmar Gomez. Right now, the rotation spot belongs to McAllister.

"Zach is a guy who continues to make improvement, especially with his secondary pitches," Acta said. "He had a very good slider, and his fastball sneaks up on people. We like the fact that he's big and strong [6-6, 230] . . . one of those guys who should be able to handle 100 pitches every five days."

The Indians made it 7-2 on Cabrera's three-run homer down the right-field line in the seventh off Luis Ayala. Chen started the inning as Jack Hannahan flied out to the track in center. Lou Marson doubled and Choo walked as Ayala came on to face Cabrera.

Cabrera has 10 homers, four against lefties, as he steams toward the All-Star break. At the break last year, he was hitting .286 with 14 homers and 51 RBI. He is hitting .291 with 37 RBI this year.

"A huge home run by Cabrera," Acta said. "It was just what we needed. Every time the game is on the line, we want Cabby up there."

The Indians hit two homers in the first six games of this trip.

Joe Smith and Esmil Rogers combined for 31/3 scoreless innings after McAllister left.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Seven-footers who can play even a little bit in the NBA are valuable, which is why Zeller is the kind of center who has at least a 10-year career.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- When you hear the Cavs traded three picks for Tyler Zeller, remember this is the basketball draft -- not football.

Quantity is not always quality. And 7-footers who can play even a little bit in the NBA are valuable, which is why Zeller is the kind of center who has at least a 10-year career.

So yes, the Cavs made the right move sending picks 24, 33 and 34 to Dallas for Zeller, the Atlantic Coast Confeence Player of the Year. He averaged 6.8 points and 9.6 rebounds for North Carolina, and also is an 81 percent free throw shooter.

Like most teams, the Cavs have stats showing that a big man from a major conference who averages a rebound every three minutes tends to be successful in the league. Zeller was in that category, as he grabbed those 9.6 rebounds in 28 minutes per game. Some may compare him to Tyler Hansbrough, another North Carolina big man who went No. 13 in the 2009 draft to Indiana. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in his career.

But Hansbrough is 6-9. Zeller is a legitimate 7-footer.

The Cavs need big men. He joins Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson and Samardo Samuels as power forwards/centers. They were not about to find a 7-footer at No. 24, so they were wise to move up for Zeller.

As for picks 33 and 34, you can find NBA role players there -- but not 7-foot centers with the ability of Zeller.

The mood lightened when the Cavs traded for North Carolina center Tyler Zeller, who was drafted by Dallas.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCavaliers fans react after the team's selection of Dion Waiters in the first round of Thursday's draft is announced.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavaliers 2012 Draft Party was certainly a swell party Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena -- until the Cavs made their first draft pick.

About 6,000 fans who attended the free party let out a round of boos and groans and some shrieks of shock when the Cavs made Syracuse guard Dion Waiters the fourth overall selection in the draft.

The night was salvaged somewhat when the Cavs traded their 24th, 33rd and 34th overall picks to Dallas to obtain 7-foot, 247-pound mobile center Tyler Zeller of North Carolina, who was picked 17th overall by the Mavericks.

While that trade drew mostly cheers, the same could not be said for the selection of Waiters.

Not a single fan interviewed was 100 percent for the pick. After Washington drafted  Florida guard Bradley Beal as the No. 3 choice in the first round, fans booed because he was the player they were hoping Cleveland would get.

"Waiters was not a popular pick, and you can see the crowd was not happy," said Otis Chiles, 39, of Cleveland. "He's not the shooter we need. I don't know why the Cavs wasted that pick."

Shaun Palmer, 25, of Cleveland was stunned and disappointed.

"After Beal was picked, I thought they'd pick (power forward) Thomas Robinson (of Kansas)," Palmer said. "I hope the Cavs know what they're doing."

"That pick didn't thrill me," said Xavier Billar, 31, of Cleveland. "His stats are super low. We need points and shooters."

"The Cavs must know something we don't know," said Dave Hebb, 32, of Berea. "It was a shocking pick. I doubt you'll find anyone happy with this pick."

Zeller won praise from the crowd, including Jamie Hall, 33, of Westlake. She liked the fact that Zeller is a quick and intelligent center with a big wingspan.

There were some dissenters. Rocky Agosto, 45, of Cleveland was puzzled by both moves.

"This draft was a head-scratcher," Agosto said. "For the Cavs' sake, this better work out."

The first pick, made at 7:54 p.m., spoiled what was otherwise a festive mood.

About half the fans arrived by 6 p.m., 90 minutes early, to enjoy activities that included having photos taken with the Cavalier Girls and getting autographs from former Cavs standouts like Bingo Smith (1970-80) and Barry Clemens, his teammate from 1972-74.

The most popular activity was shooting free throws. Unfortunately, the percentages of free throws made were lower than the 29 percent that Connecticut 6-11 center Andre Drummond, taken ninth in the first round by the Detroit Pistons, made last season.

At the north end of the floor, fans went 10 minutes without making a free throw. Brian Winovich, 44, of Chagrin Falls finally ended the drought.

"I noticed Jim Chones was watching," Winovich said, referring to the former Cavaliers center. "He probably figures, 'These kids can't make a free throw anymore.' I came down because you don't get a chance to do this any other time, and I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity."

Winovich didn't come to the Cavs Draft Party to shoot free throws. He brought his 15-year-old son, Luke, because "he's excited about the draft and he knows all the statistics of the top players."

Chones, now 62, was happy to be among people who remembered his exploits in the late 1970s. Despite stiff ankles that eventually forced the 6-11 center to retire, Chones said he runs many 10K races and completed a marathon several years ago.

Ohio State's Jared Sullinger fell to the No. 21 pick in the NBA Draft, where he landed with the Boston Celtics, a team he was thinking about months ago.

View full sizeAP fileJared Sullinger will get a chance to learn the inside NBA game from Boston's Kevin Garnett after being selected by the Celtics with the 21st pick in the first round.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As he gathered with his family after a new conference almost three months ago announcing his intention to enter the NBA Draft, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger was asked where he wouldn't mind winding up in the NBA.

Sullinger said he'd like an old-school team like the Boston Celtics, where he could learn from a veteran power forward like Kevin Garnett. At that moment in early April, Boston seemed like a long shot, with the Celtics looking like a solid playoff team and Sullinger projected as a lottery pick who should be gone by the middle of the first round.

By Thursday night, a lot had changed, and Sullinger in the end was right on the money.

After his stock fell over worries about the health of his back, Sullinger was selected with the No. 21 pick in the draft by Boston. He was the second Big Ten player drafted, after Illinois center Meyers Leonard went to Portland at No. 11.

Sullinger's fall will cost him in his first contract. He'll make about $2.6 million total in the first two guaranteed years of his rookie contract, about $2 million less than he would have made in his first two years as, for instance, the No. 10 pick.

Never an elite athlete, Sullinger was a high school and college All-American because of his production, with a knack for rebounding and creating space around the basket. He averaged 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds as a sophomore, after a freshman season of 17.2 and 10.2. Seen as a sure lottery pick after his first year of college, Sullinger returned to the Buckeyes, missed time last December with back issues, led a Final Four run and then saw his draft prospects drop in the last week to the point where he wound up being viewed by many as a potential steal for the Celtics.

"The fact that Jared Sullinger fell to us is just fortunate," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told Boston.com. "He gives us a rebounder, a high IQ player, great shooter from the outside. ... I'm hoping that the projections on him before the season were right.

"We feel pretty good about it, otherwise we wouldn't have taken him. I played 13 years with a bad back. All the doctors we talked to gave him clearance."

For his homecourt, Sulllinger will now play where he pushed the Buckeyes into the Final Four, with the No. 2 seed Buckeyes beating Syracuse in the East Regional Final in March. His task was made easier that night by the suspension of Syracuse 7-footer Fab Melo, who will now be Sullinger's teammate. Boston picked Melo with the No. 22 pick.

Sullinger could use that help inside on defense. Offensively, he's expected to need more of the outside game in the NBA that he flashed at times during his sophomore season in Columbus.

"Boston will be getting a quality person and a tremendous basketball player," OSU coach Thad Matta said in a statement. "Jared was an integral part of our success the last two years and I suspect he will be equally successful in the years to come."

Sullinger is the seventh first-round selection in Matta's eight years at Ohio State, joining Evan Turner (No. 2 in 2010), B.J. Mullens (No. 24 in 2009), Kosta Koufos (No. 23 in 2008), Greg Oden (No. 1 in 2007), Mike Conley Jr. (No. 4 in 2007) and Daequan Cook (No. 21 in 2007).

Confident Dion Waiters not surprised to be selected 4th in the NBA draft by Cleveland -- even if a lot of others might be.

Anyone surprised that the Cavaliers selected a player fourth in the NBA draft who never started a game for his college team should have consulted with the draft pick, himself, for a clearer image in the crystal ball.

"I don't think I have any weaknesses in my game," Dion Waiters boasted Thursday evening.

Waiters, a 6-foot-4 guard from Syracuse, also once gloated that he was best guard in the most recent NCAA Tournament -- while he was coming off the bench for the Orange.

And after Cleveland selected him to round out a backcourt with reigning Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, Waiters reiterated that slipping to the fourth overall pick after not working out for a single NBA team was just about right for him.

"(I have) a lot of confidence," Waiters said. "A guy who plays with swagger, people would call it. An all-around player."

Lacking in brashness, he is not.

Then again, he might have reason for the self-assurance, despite compiling statistics in two years at Syracuse that weren't particularly impressive -- 12.6 points on 48-percent shooting in 24.1 minutes per game last season.

"He's more ready for the NBA than any other guard I've ever had," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim told CBS New York this week. "Nobody will be able to guard him one-on-one unless their last name is (Oklahoma City's Russell) Westbrook. He'll go by anyone he faces. Dion started out the draft process at 25 or 30 and has risen dramatically. It should come as no surprise, he's got all the tools."

It has just taken Waiters some time to display them. Raised in Philadelphia, he bounced among four high schools before finally landing in Burlington Life Center Academy.

At Syracuse, he clashed with Boeheim during his freshman season, played no defense for a team famous for its zone defense, and generally sulked enough that he was expected to transfer.

Instead, however, he rededicated to Boeheim's system, found a way to make his skills fit within it, and earned Big East Sixth Man of the Year honors.

And Thursday, when the Cavaliers chose Waiters, he joined Atlanta's Marvin Williams as the second lottery pick who has not started a single game played in college.

So brazen and sure were Waiters and agent Rob Pelinka that Waiters opted not to work out for any NBA teams before the draft.

Rumors said Waiters had a promise from a team that he would be selected in the first round, but he said Thursday the vow did not come from the Cavaliers. He would not identify the team that did, though.

"I believe in my agent, he's been in the game a long time, he knows what he's doing," Waiters said. "I know he's got my best interest (at heart) and I did what he told me to do. Fortunately it worked out with me."

As if Waiters ever had any doubt.

Waiters is a high risk pick by the Cavs, the trade for Zeller is a good move.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- When the Cavs were first rumored to be taking Dion Waiters, I thought, "They had better be right."

Nothing changed when the Cavs made the Syracuse guard the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft. They better be right on this one.

Waiters is the kind of selection that can either accelerate or stall the Cavs on the road back to contention. Picking a guy who was the sixth man at Syracuse at No. 4 is one of those moves that usually is high risk, high reward.

It's not a pick that I'd have made.

The other major move of the night was trading picks 24, 33 and 34 to Dallas for No. 17, which became Tyler Zeller from North Carolina. That was a savvy move because the 7-foot Zeller is a valuable commodity, the kind that plays in the NBA for 10 years. Not necessarily as a starter, but as a rotation player for good teams for a long time.

Remember, this is the basketball draft -- not football. Quantity is not always quality. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, averaging 16.8 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting 81 percent at the foul line.

Like most teams, the Cavs have stats showing that a big man from a major conference who averages a rebound every three minutes tends to be successful in the league. Zeller was in that category, as he grabbed those 9.6 rebounds in 28 minutes per game.

But the story of this draft will be Waiters, who was not projected in the top five. The Cavs passed on players such as Thomas Robinson and Harrison Barnes, two very viable forwards who had more success in college than the 6-4 Waiters.

I also liked Damian Lillard, the sharp-shooter from Weber State, over Waiters.

To be fair the Cavs, several top scouts believe Waiters can become an extremely creative scorer in the NBA, especially the way he can drive to the basket and find openings for mid-range jumpers.

Some will compare it to Russell Westbrook going to Oklahoma City at No. 4 in 2008. After a sophomore season at UCLA where he averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 assists and shot 47 percent (34 percent on 3-pointers), many media members were shocked when Westbrook went that high. Fans know he became an All-Star and helped the Thunder reach the finals this season.

His UCLA numbers are much like what Waiters had this season Syracuse: 12.6 points, shot 48 percent (36 percent on 3-pointers).

Waiters was the second-leading scorer on the Syracuse team. He obviously talented enough to start, but coach Jim Boeheim wanted his scoring and energy coming off the bench.But I'm worried about this pick.

Waiters didn't try out for any teams -- unlike the other top prospects. He supposedly had a promise from a team in the top 10 that he'd be picked if he agreed not to interview anywhere, and his agent advised him to do that. So he stayed home and the Cavs never had him in the building for a workout and interview -- as they did with other top prospects.

The Cavs have close ties to members of the Syracuse basketball program who are convinced that he's a hard-worker and has good character. The Cavs also scouted him several times. Boeheim has compared Waiters to Dwyane Wade in terms of his ability to score driving to the rim.

Let's hope the Hall of Fame coach from Syracuse is right, because that would change the course of the franchise. Imagine a Wade-type player pairing with emerging star point guard Kyrie Irving. But that seems a stretch, as Wade averaged 19.7 points and shot 49 percent in his two years at Marquette.

Waiters also played four NCAA tournament games, averaging 13.0 points and shooting 16-of-37 (43 percent), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers, 17-of-18 on free throws. His final game was against Ohio State. He fouled out in 20 minutes, shooting 2-of-8 for nine points.

I still think he's too risky.

Yes, Cavs GM Chris Grant surprised most people by making Tristan Thompson the No. 4 pick last season. But the 6-9 Thompson actually averaged more points (13.1) as a college freshman than Waiters (12.6) did as a sophomore. Thompson also averaged 7.8 rebounds and shot 55 percent from the field, 49 percent at the foul line.

But here were the three players picked after Thompson: Jonas Valanciunas, Jan Vesely and Bismack Biyombo. All big men from overseas. The next three selections were Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight and Jimmer Ferdette -- three point guards. The Cavs already had Irving at the point.

So it wasn't like this draft, where there seemed to be more talent available at No. 4 than a year ago.

The Cavs are owned by Dan Gilbert, a guy who obviously likes to take a game as he owns the Horseshoe Casino. Well, he took a big one with Waiters, and so did Grant.

UPDATED: The Cavaliers shock the NBA by selecting Dion Waiters, bypassing forwards Harrison Barnes and Thomas Robinson. The Cavs later sent the Nos. 24, 33 and 34 picks to Dallas for North Carolina center Tyler Zeller, selected 17th. Watch video

View full sizeJulio Cortez, Associated PressDion Waiters called himself "competitive, confidence, swagger, all-around player. I don't have any weakness in my game. A hard worker who plays ever game like its his last."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant knows there are a lot of questions about his stunning selection of Syracuse shooting guard Dion Waiters with the No. 4 pick and the trade with Dallas that brought in Tyler Zeller, the No. 17 pick, and swingman Kelenna Azubuike, for the Nos. 24, 33 and 34 picks.

Grant had questions, too. But with close friends on the coaching staffs at Syracuse and North Carolina, he and his staff did months of extensive research on the players, especially Waiters, who had a tough upbringing in Philadelphia and reportedly clashed with Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim.

"We did an enormous amount of research, maybe more than we've ever done, with Dion," Grant said. "Ultimately, we had to make a decision what was best for us and best for this organization. With all the information, we felt very comfortable.

"We had a very good day today in Cavalierland."

Grant, who has until today to decide whether to make qualifying offers to potential restricted free agents Semih Erden, Luke Harangody and Alonzo Gee, met with reporters almost four hours after the Cavs took Waiters, presumably because he was still completing the details of the trade. Waiters was widely viewed as the second best shooting guard available in the draft behind Florida's Bradley Beal, the No. 3 pick of the Washington Wizards.

The Cavs did select Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham with the No. 24 pick, Florida State 27-year-old center Bernard James, an Air Force veteran, with the No. 33 pick and Marquette forward Jae Crowder with the No. 34 pick, to send to the Mavericks.

With the moves, the Cavs addressed two of their biggest goals -- getting more scoring and athleticism on the wing and adding a big man. In fact, Zeller immediately becomes the best true center on the roster.

But the Cavs' selection of Waiters certainly was surprising, given that they bypassed highly regarded forwards Harrison Barnes of North Carolina and Thomas Robinson of Kansas and that they never talked to Waiters before Thursday night. Rumors of his rise began early Thursday morning, but many observers thought perhaps the Cavs were going to trade down to select him.

Asked about his game in a conference call with reporters Thursday night, Waiters called himself "competitive, confidence, swagger, all-around player. I don't have any weakness in my game. A hard worker who plays ever game like it's his last."

Yet, even he seemed a tad surprised to be off the board by No. 4.

"It feels good to be able to go that high," he said. "I'm thankful for that."

He credited "hard work, dedication, sacrifice, believing, having faith."

Boeheim recently said Waiters was more ready for the NBA than any other guard he'd had, but the Big East Sixth Man of the Year raised eyebrows earlier this month when he left the NBA Combine in Chicago after the first day, reportedly because he'd received a promise from a lottery team to select him on draft night. He declined to identify the team when asked Thursday night, although he said it was not the Cavs.

Given that the team puts such a premium on its pre-draft interviews and the chance to get players into its practice facility in Independence, it was a curious departure from the norm. But Grant was unconcerned with outside opinions about whether the pick was a reach.

"We don't really care where the guys get picked, as long as they're the right pick for us," Grant said.

Although the decision was roundly booed at the Cavs' draft party at The Q, Cavaliers players Kyrie Irving, Omri Casspi, Tristan Thompson and Daniel Gibson Tweeted their congratulations to Waiters, and SI.com college basketball writer Seth Davis Tweeted: "Got no problem with Waiters at No. 4. Bold pick. I like bold."

Waiters sounded thrilled to have a chance to play with Irving.

"That's my brother," he said in a conference call with reporters. "I've known him for a long time. I just can't wait to get out there with him. I'm very excited. I wish it started tomorrow."

It will, as the draft choices are scheduled to meet with reporters this afternoon and then dedicate a family room at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Keep up to date on all of the NBA draft news right here in the megablog. The Cavaliers get Dion Waiters and reportedly Tyler Zeller in a trade with Dallas.

View full sizeMatt Slocum, APDion Waiters has been a fast-riser on NBA draft boards in the last week, but few expected him to be the choice of the Cavaliers at No. 4.

12 a.m.: We hope you've enjoyed tonight's megablog. Check out the rest of our coverage from tonight's draft and we thank you for refreshing on us all night.

11:58 p.m.: GM Chris Grant addresses the media, stating that the Cavaliers didn't work out either Waiters or Zeller, but scouts and front office members had spent considerable amount of time watching both play over the last couple of years.

"The one thing about Dion is that he had come through a lot of adversity," Grant said. "He was clearly the best player on that team, and ... sacrificed to others."

Said Byron Scott: "When (Waiters) came into the game, he pretty much dominated the game. ... When his name was on the board, I was really excited. ... We had holes to fill and he brings a lot.

"I think we got a steal."

11:45 p.m.: The draft winds down with the Cavaliers apparently done for the night. Mary Schmitt Boyer writes about how the team addressed its key needs of wing offense and additional height with tonight's selections.

"The selection of Waiters certainly was surprising, given that he said he never spoke to the Cavs before Thursday night. Rumors of his rise began early Thursday morning, but many observers thought perhaps the Cavs were going to trade down to select him."

Asked about his game in a conference call, Waiters called himself 'competitive, confidence, swagger, all-around player. I don't have any weakness in my game. A hard worker who plays ever game like its his last.'"

11:17 p.m.: ESPN's John Hollinger is one of the NBA's leading statistical analysts. He broke down the draft candidates and decided upon a surprising choice in determining the best players at each position.

On Monday, Dion Waiters ranked as Hollinger's best perimeter player in the draft. His "Draft Rater" “analyzes college stats to predict NBA performance” in the form of “a giant regression model that gets incrementally smarter as we fill it with more data each year.”

That's a lot of statistical terminology, but Hollinger ranked Waiters fourth on his overall draft board, behind Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, writing that “Waiters projects as the best small wing since Dwyane Wade, and he’d be a steal if somebody got him in the Nos. 8-10 range currently being discussed.”

11:14 p.m.: Doc Rivers on Boston's drafting of Ohio State's Jared Sullinger:

"The fact that Jared Sullinger fell to us is just fortunate," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told Boston.com. "He gives us a rebounder, a high IQ player, great shooter from the outside. ... I'm hoping that the projections on him before the season were right.

"We feel pretty good about it, otherwise we wouldn't have taken him. I played 13 years with a bad back. All the doctors we talked to gave him clearance."

11:08 p.m.: Terry Pluto's column on Waiters and Zeller is up. He's fine with one, somewhat dubious about the other.

"Waiters is the kind of selection that can either accelerate or stall the Cavs on the road back to contention. Picking a guy who was the sixth man at Syracuse at No. 4 is one of those moves that usually is high risk, high reward.

"It's not a pick that I'd have made.

"The other major move of the night was trading picks 24, 33 and 34 to Dallas for No. 17, which became Tyler Zeller from North Carolina. That was a savvy move because the 7-foot Zeller is a valuable commodity, the kind that plays in the NBA for 10 years. Not necessarily as a starter, but as a rotation player for a good team for a long time."

10:41 p.m.: One of the most emotional moments comes when the Cavaliers -- acting for Dallas -- select 27-year-old Florida State center Bernard James, who served six years in the Air Force in Iraq.

The second Cavaliers/Mavericks pick goes to Jae Crowder, the forward from Marquette.

10:40 p.m.: From Sam Amico on FSN Ohio Web site on Zeller:

"Zeller isn’t your typical big man, according to most scouts. He is viewed as someone who runs the floor exceptionally well, someone who can absorb contact and finish near the basket. While Zeller doesn’t have a prototypical game with his back to the basket, he has received praise for his soft hands and improving low-post play.

"Zeller also has the length and athleticism to alter shots in the paint.

“'I think he’s sort of a Chris Andersen-type,' said an opposing general manager, comparing Zeller to the Nuggets’ big man. 'It was a good acquisition by Cleveland, especially that late in the draft. We had him pegged to go anywhere from 9-12. He’s a top-10 talent in most drafts, maybe in this one.'”

10:32 p.m.: From Schmitt Boyer and Valade: Jon Rothstein, of CBS New York, talked to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim (in mid-June) and asked him about Waiters.

“'He’s more ready for the NBA than any other guard I’ve ever had,' Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said of the 6-4, 215 pound Waiters on Tuesday," Rothstein wrote. “'Nobody will be able to guard him one on one unless their last name is Westbrook. He’ll go by anyone he faces. Dion started out the draft process at 25 or 30 and has risen dramatically. It should come as no surprise, he’s got all the tools.'

"Boeheim also told Rothstein that nobody should have any concerns about Waiters being physically ready to play in the NBA.

"'You look at some players in college and they’re good players but they’re not physically ready for the next level. That’s something that doesn’t affect Dion. He’s more than ready in that aspect and he’s also ready to play with other good players because he played at Syracuse.'"

10:24 p.m.: Chris Grant is delayed in talking to the media in Independence, which backs up reports that the Cavaliers are looking to pick up a pick early in the second round.

10:23 p.m.: Waiters (on TV) on time at Syracuse: "Went there as a boy, left as a man.''

Tweet from Wally Szczerbiak: Like the pick by #Cavs. Waiters taken pretty high but paired with Kyrie in backcourt will be given a lot of freedom."

Tweet from from Kyrie Irving: "Yessir @Dion Waiters3....Welcome to Believeland...."

Tweet from Daniel Gibson: "Congrats Dion Waiters joining the Cavalier Fam. Yougin play w/ a lot Heart."

10:15 p.m.: As reporters wait on Chris Grant, the draft continues with Miami taking Mississippi State forward Arnett Moultrie and then reportedly trading him to Philadelphia for a second-round pick and a future first-round pick.

This is totally a bottom line pick -- the Heat does not have the salary cap room for a rookie with a guaranteed first-round contract. They can lowball a second-round pick with no guarantees, but the first round is just too costly.

Then the biggest free fall of the night -- Baylor's Perry Jones -- ends up as one of the many talented big men with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder may have contract issues coming in a year or two, but if Jones develops, that might make it easier to let Serge Ibaka leave after the 2014 season.

10:02 p.m.: Terry Pluto has no problems with trading three later picks to Dallas for 7-foot center Tyler Zeller.

"Like most teams, the Cavs have stats showing that a big man from a major conference who averages a rebound every three minutes tends to be successful in the league. Zeller was in that category, as he grabbed those 9.6 rebounds in 28 minutes per game.

Some may compare him to Tyler Hansbrough, another North Carolina big man who went No. 13 in the 2009 draft to Indiana. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in his career."

9:53 p.m.: The Cavaliers, presumably drafting for Dallas, selected Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham.

9:45 p.m.: Perspective from Jeff Phelps: "If you've picked up your center that will be a starter for the last 10 years, you're fine (with dealing the later picks)."

9:39 p.m.: From Jodie Valade: "Dion Waiters said ‪#Cavs‬ weren't the team that promised to draft him, but wouldn't say which team did. Suns & Raptors rumored."

9:35 p.m.: Jared Sullinger's slide ends as the Ohio State star winds up in one of the NBA's Meccas as the Celtics' first choice of the night. With Boston pondering significant off-season changes, Sullinger figures to get a solid chance to be a part of the rotation.

9:31 p.m.: Dion Waiters said he did not talk to Cleveland before the draft or receive a "promise" to be selected. In a conference call with local media in Independence, here are some other comments he made:

"(Philadelphia) is just a tough city. You have to be mentally tough as a kid because it's easy to get distracted and go the wrong way. ... To see other guys come out of there and succeed, that's an inspiration to me."

(Describing his game) "Physical, athletic, competitive. A lot of confidence. I play with swagger. I don't have any weaknesses in my game."

"I'm a scorer, with a scoring mentality. I'm a guy who likes to get the crowd involved and feed off the energy. A guy who's dedicated to winning."

9:24 p.m.: From Schmitt Boyer/Valade: "#Cavs‬ media still waiting for interviews with Dion Waiters and/or Chris Grant. Might be awhile"

9:12 p.m.: Here's your big man. Chad Ford on ESPN reports that Dallas drafted North Carolina's Tyler Zeller for the Cavaliers in a trade to be announced.

Ford says the Cavaliers have sent their remaining picks to the Mavericks -- the 24th, 33rd and 34th picks -- to Dallas.

9:11 p.m.: From Schmitt Boyer/Valade: "NBA source with knowledge of Warriors plans doesn't think there's anything to rumor the ‪#Cavs‬ are looking to send Varejao to GS for Barnes"

9:07 p.m.: Jeff Phelps makes a good part of his living as the on-court reporter and co-host of Cavaliers telecasts on FSN Ohio. And he's shaking his head on 92.3.

"I like what the Cavaliers have done (in recent years). I like Kyrie Irving. I like Tristan Thompson. But I'm a little surprised right now."

9:05 p.m.: Terry Pluto's quick response on Waiters: "(He's) the kind of pick that can either accelerate or stall the Cavs on the road back to contention in the NBA. Picking a guy who was the sixth man at Syracuse with the No. 4 selection of the draft is one of those moves that usually is high risk, high reward."

There's a photo gallery of Dion Waiters' career at Syracuse with Pluto's comments.

9:02 p.m.: Ken Carman on 92.3 The Fan delves into psychology in explaining fans' immediate response: "What people don't understand makes them angry."

So that's Rizzo's problem? Oh, those wacky radio guys.

8:55 p.m.: One of the reasons -- perhaps THE reason -- that the Cavaliers and Bobcats couldn't come together on a deal for the No. 2 pick could be Michael Jordan's insistence that any trade partner pick up the three years and about $26 million left on the contract of forward Tyrus Thomas.

There was a general consensus with many NBA observers that Thomas was a poison pill than pretty much any organization wasn't willing to accept.

Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that one source said "The rest of the deal would have to be very strong for [the Cavs] to take on [Thomas]."

8:45 p.m.: Harrison Barnes has not been seen on ESPN for a lengthy interview ... which means?

8:31 p.m.: Michael Reghi says a Western Conference scout believes the Cavaliers are working to send Anderson Varejao to Golden State for Harrison Barnes. The 24th pick in the first round would also go to the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Waiters has gotten 30 minutes as a Cavalier before Rizzo asks "Dion Waiters, a bust?"

8:22 p.m.: Tweet from Seth Davis of CBS Sports and SI.com: "Got no problem with Waiters at No. 4. Bold pick. I like bold."

8:14 p.m.: WKNR's talent must have slept all day, as they now are using the word "nightmare" when describing Waiters. Nothing like leaping to a conclusion without a great amount of background information.

Tony Rizzo suggested that no mock drafts had Waiters as a lottery selection, which isn't close to being true. But why show a half-hour's worth of patience?

8:10 p.m.: If it helps calm worried fans, one of the biggest boosters of Dion Waiters before the draft was reportedly The Logo, Jerry West, who is an adviser for the Golden State Warriors and was a long-time GM for the Lakers.

And, of course, Fran Fraschilla, who told WKNR that he really liked Waiters and compares him to Monta Ellis.

8:03 p.m.: From Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: "Waiters did not work out for any teams after the NBA combine in Chicago in early June. Did the ‪#Cavs‬ promise him the spot? We will ask"

7:55 p.m.: The Cavaliers take Dion Waiters from Syracuse, which confirms everything that was reported several hours ago by Mary Schmitt Boyer and other sources.

7:50 p.m.: Yahoo says Cavaliers-Bobcats were never close to a deal. Then again, what else would you say when no deal takes place?

7:44 p.m.: The trade clearly didn't go through, as the Bobcats take Kidd-Gilchrist (unless the Cavs want MKG). Assuming the Wizards take Beal, then the Cavaliers are either getting Harrison Barnes or ... Dion Waiters?

7:38 p.m.: With the Bobcats now on the clock, there is still no certainty about a Cavaliers deal.

From Mary Schmitt Boyer: "Volume on TVs in ‪#Cavs‬ media room is ear splitting. We will NOT not hear what happens at 2, but we can't hear ourselves think"

7:26 p.m.: Seems like they're really going to have this draft, so why wait. Not particularly exclusive sources have given us the No. 1 pick, and it's reflected on our draft board.

7:22 p.m.: Gotta love Jeff Van Gundy, who handles the draft with the same lack of a verbal editor as he does games. When thrown the softball of what Charlotte needs most, he responds: "They need everything. They stink."

7:19 p.m.: To resolve any confusion when the selections start coming in, the NBA locks the draft order on the morning of the draft, so no trades can be announced until after the teams involved have made their selections.

So if the Bobcats take Beal, something -- probably -- is up for either the Cavaliers or perhaps the Rockets.

7:15 p.m.: From Mary Schmitt Boyer: "Can confirm reports that the ‪#Cavs‬ have at least discussed trading Anderson Varejao during the frenzy leading up to tonight's draft"

6:49 p.m.: ESPN says the Cavaliers are offering the fourth, 24th and 33rd picks to Charlotte for the Bobcats' second and 31st (the first of the second round).

6:45 p.m.: The latest scuttlebutt around the Bobcats says any trade will likely be announced after the first handful of selections. So if Charlotte takes Beal, there's probably something up, especially if the Cavaliers take Thomas Robinson.

If Charlotte takes Robinson, then the deal may have fallen through.

6:33 p.m.: It has absolutely nothing to do with the draft, but this has certainly been a strange and difficult day for Golden State head coach Mark Jackson.

6:16 p.m.: The talk for weeks has been that if the Cavaliers want a second lottery pick tonight, Anderson Varejao likely has to be part of a deal.

ESPN's Chris Broussard says the Cavs have offered Varejao in deal offers to Golden State at No. 7 and the Rockets at No. 12.

Also, Broussard says the Bobcats' potential trade partners for the No. 2 pick are down to the Rockets and the Cavaliers.

6:08 p.m.: Interesting moment on WKNR's Hooligans show, during an interview with ESPN analyst and former coach Fran Fraschilla.

Bruce Hooley, who had made pretty clear his lack of interest in the Dion Waiters rumors that connect the Syracuse swingman to the Cavaliers tonight, asked Fraschilla his opinion.

After saying all the draftees not named Anthony Davis carried "serious flaws," Fraschilla praised Waiters' physical nature and aggressiveness and left Hooley without a quick response to this comment:

"I would definitely take Dion Waiters over Harrison Barnes."

Just saying ...

6 p.m.: Welcome to the NBA Draft megablog, where there's still 90 minutes or so to savor the smokescreens.

Oh, the intrigue.

At the very least, the Cavaliers enter tonight's draft with more options available than a futures trader on Wall Street.

Perhaps the most intriguing is the one that has been discussed the least -- WARNING, hypothetical trade with no actual basis in rumor or fact coming -- which would involve moving down a handful of spots with a team desperate to move into the top 10. Say, for example, Houston.

The Rockets crave a deal with Orlando to move Dwight Howard to Texas. The only way the Magic does that is with a high draft pick plus -- among other assets -- point guard Kyle Lowry. In the last 24 hours, the Rockets have worked the phones and now have the 12th, 16th and 18th picks.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, invited Washington shooting guard Terrence Ross to a workout on Wednesday. Ross isn't a candidate at No. 4 and would surely be gone well before the team's current second pick at No. 24. So why work out the 6-7, 198-pound Ross, unless the team is at least considering the possibility of taking two -- or all three -- of the Rockets' mid-round picks in exchange for the fourth and 24th.

Under this scenario, Houston would hope Lowry and the two picks formerly held by the Cavaliers would be enough for a one-year rental on Howard, and the Cavaliers would have three choices in the middle of the first round to land a shooting guard (presumably Ross), a small forward (St. John's Moe Harkless or Iowa State's Royce White?) and maybe even a big man (Baylor's Perry Jones?).

OK, the hypothetical is over. Mark Stein of ESPN Tweeted that the Rockets are close to making some version of the above deal with Sacramento at No. 5 -- with Houston going after center Andre Drummond -- but the Kings haven't firmly agreed to the deal.

Ah, those smokescreens sure can be fun.

Then came Thursday's news that Syracuse's Dion Waiters had captured some attention in Independence. That would seemingly indicate interest in a smaller move down -- perhaps with Portland or Golden State -- or perhaps just more smoke to obscure the real intentions.

By the way, from ESPN's Chad Ford: "Sources: Cavs have Beal, MKG, Barnes atop board. Waiters/Ross not in mix at 4." Terry Pluto certainly agrees, as he writes here.

Tonight's megablog is designed to allow you to sort through the options for the Cavaliers -- or any other NBA team -- through the first 40 selections. The players listed have been the most commonly associated with the picks through the Cavaliers' 34th selection. There are links to STATS Inc.'s player profiles and scouting videos -- including some very detailed ones by Draft Express' Mike Schmitz -- on every player.

As the draft develops, players will move from the big board down and be assigned to the team that drafts them. In addition, we'll keep a close eye on reports from Cavaliers beat writers Mary Schmitt Boyer and Jodie Valade along with Pluto -- an NBA veteran if ever there was one.

As time allows, we'll also sort through the comments for the best and most insightful (yes, we're being optimistic). Regardless, we hope to be informative and entertaining as the draft moves along.

One note of caution. Unlike the leisurely pace of the NFL, the NBA allows just five minutes between first-round selections and just two minutes in the second round. As our focus is on the Cavaliers' selections, we probably will update the draft choices in groups of picks after the top 35.

We also invite you to open a second browser window and check out the NBA draft chat room and audio webcast hosted by Cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and blogger Brendan Bowers of StepienRules.com, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Center says he will put Duke-North Carolina rivalry aside as he prepares to be teammates with Cavs guard Kyrie Irving.

Just before Tyler Zeller's name was called to announce he was the 17th pick in the NBA draft, his agent pulled him aside.

Although Dallas was selecting him, he'd actually been traded to the Cavaliers for the Nos. 24, 33 and 34 picks. He would be going to Cleveland.

"It was actually kind of awkward going up there, getting the Dallas hat, doing a couple interviews with Dallas," Zeller said.

The trade took some time to be finalized and announced by the NBA, and Zeller, a 7-foot center, said he had to wait "in a holding area" until details were hashed out.

The Cavaliers also received 6-5 swingman Kalenna Azubuike in the deal, though Azubuike has played just 12 games in the last three years as he has battled back from an ACL injury.

Zeller, who averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in four seasons at North Carolina, fills a massive void in the middle for the Cavaliers, who have patched their center position with energetic power forward Anderson Varejao, when healthy.

Zeller called Cleveland a "great opportunity," and said he was looking forward to playing with Kyrie Irving -- even if the reigning Rookie of the Year went to rival Duke. Irving played just 11 games for the Blue Devils because of injury.

"He didn't really go there, anyway," Zeller said. "He was hurt all the time."

Making history: Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky are the first college teammates to go 1-2 in the NBA Draft. They were joined in the first round by teammates Terrence Jones (No. 18 to Houston) and Marquis Teague (No. 29 to Chicago). Their Kentucky teammate Doron Lamb was taken by Milwaukee in the second round, and Darius Miller will still be with Davis, as he was taken in the second round by New Orleans.

The only school in draft history to have six players selected in one draft is UNLV in 1977. Since the draft went to a two-round format in 1989, there have been three schools -- Connecticut in 2006, Florida in 2007 and Kansas in 2008 -- with five players picked in the same draft.

North Carolina had four players drafted -- Harrison Barnes to Golden State at No. 7, Kendall Marshall to Phoenix at No. 13, John Henson to Milwaukee at No. 14 and Tyler Zeller, who was drafted by Dallas at No. 17 and had his rights traded to the Cavaliers. The four Tar Heels went before the four Wildcats in the first draft in which four players from two different schools were selected.

Euro zone: There were no international players taken in the lottery this year. Last year marked the first year there were four international players who didn't play for a U.S. college selected in the lottery -- No. 3 Enes Kanter of Turkey, No. 5 Jonas Valanciunas of Lithuania, No. 6 Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic and No. 7 Bismack Biyombo of the Republic of Congo.

Evan Fournier of France, taken No. 20 by Denver, was the only international player taken in the first round this year. Last year, six international players were taken in the first round. In addition to the lottery picks, Donatas Motiejunas was taken No. 20 by Minnesota and Nikola Mirotic was taken No. 23 by Houston. They were traded for each other, and then Mirotic was traded to Chicago.

Two good: Second-round selections can pay off big. Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas, the 60th -- and last -- pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, went on to earn NBA All-Rookie second-team honors. Houston's Chandler Parsons, the 38th overall selection, also made the NBA All-Rookie second team. Both players became starters and major contributors to their teams.

No lock: This is the second time in franchise history the New Orleans Hornets made the No. 1 selection. In 1991, the Charlotte Hornets used the top overall choice to select UNLV's Larry Johnson, who went on to earn 1991-92 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

But getting the No. 1 pick doesn't guarantee an immediate playoff berth, as Cavs fans know only too well. Only four No. 1 picks have won NBA Rookie of the Year and helped their teams into the playoffs that same season -- David Robinson, Chris Webber, Tim Duncan and Derrick Rose. Only five No. 1 picks have ever led the team that drafted them to an NBA championship since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976 -- Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robinson and Duncan. Player development: Of the 60 players drafted in 2011, 14 spent time in the NBA Development League this past season, including Houston's Marcus Morris, the 14th pick. In the past four draft classes, 81 players have played in the NBA D-League. In 2011-12, the NBA D-League's 11th season, 44 NBA players were assigned 67 times from 25 NBA teams, both record highs. Enough already: In the early days, the draft used to last as long as teams desired, with the proceedings ending only when every team tired of calling out names. As of 1973, the draft lasted 20 rounds (at least it did for the Buffalo Braves, who needed all the players they could get after winning only 21 games the season before). In 1974, the league adopted a 10-round draft, a format that stayed in place until 1985, when it was scaled back to seven rounds. After three years of seven-round drafts, the draft was shaved to three rounds in 1988 and to its current length of two rounds in 1989.

-- Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer contributed to this report.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Lake Erie Crushers also get victories.

View full sizeAPRuss Canzler

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 6, Tides 3 1B Matt LaPorta (.308) and DH Russ Canzler (.273) each drove in two runs and scored another to lift host Columbus over Norfolk in an International League game Thursday.

LHP Eric Berger (2-3, 3.77) collected the win after taking over for starter RHP Toru Murata in the fourth inning. Berger did not allow a hit or a walk in in 31/3 innings, striking out three.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 7, Sea Wolves 1 Akron 2B Matt Lawson (.239) drove in three runs and righty Brett Brach (3-3, 3.49) threw seven strong innings as the Aeros beat visiting Erie (Pa.) in an Eastern League game. Brach allowed one run on four hits and four walks. He struck out three.

Before the game, Aeros pitchers Steven Wright (6-5, 1.98) and Kyle Landis (4-3, 3.52), outfielder Thomas Neal (.297, five HRs, 27 RBI), and first baseman Chun Chen (.320, 24 doubles) were named to the Eastern League Western Division All-Star team. The EL All-Star Game will be July 11 in Reading, Pa.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Pelicans 3, Mudcats 2 Carolina jumped to an early lead but could not hold on against host Myrtle Beach in a Carolina League game.

The Mudcats took a 2-0 lead in the first on and RBI single by 3B Giovanny Urshela (.270) and a sacrifice fly by 1B Jesus Anguilar (.309), but were shut out the rest of the way.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 9, Whitecaps 7 1B Jerrud Sabourin (.282) hit a two-out, three run homer in the ninth to give Lake County a dramatic victory over Western Michigan in a Midwest League game in Eastlake. The Whitecaps took a 7-6 lead into the ninth.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 6, Spikes 5 Mahoning Valley C Jeremy Lucas (.357) had four hits and SS Jairo Kelly (.179) had three, including his first homer of the season, and the Scrappers beat State College (Pa.) in a New York-Penn League game in Niles, Ohio.

Independent Lake Erie

Crushers 11, Rascals 6 Lake Erie rolled to its fourth straight victory with a win over River City in a Frontier League game at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon.

Meanwhile, Elyria's Tianna Madison and Akron's LaShauntea Moore advances in the women's 200 meters.

View full sizeUniversity Heights' Emily Infeld was eighth in the 5,000 final.

EUGENE, Ore. — With 400 meters to go, Dan Huling of Columbus was leading the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase final and appeared in control.

"I was feeling good, and all of a sudden I wasn't," he said. "I just don't know what happened."

Huling faded on the backstretch, and a trip to the London Olympics quickly disappeared. He nearly didn't clear the final water hazard and finished seventh (8:30.76).

Ohio State's Cory Leslie was ninth, Ohio State grad Brian Olinger, who led early, finished 10th, and Brecksville graduate Josh McAdams, a 2008 Olympian, was 12th. Evan Jager won (8:17.40), and Donald Cabral and Kyle Alcorn claimed the other two Olympic berths.

Madison, Moore advance: Elyria's Tianna Madison (22.57) was the fastest qualifier for today's 200 semifinals. Akron's LaShauntea Moore (23.09) also advanced. The late-season struggles continued for Southern Cal grad Aareon Payne of Akron. She did not advance (23.41).

Infeld eighth: University Heights' Emily Infeld was eighth in the 5,000 final in a personal-best 15:28.60. She hovered at 12th for the first 4,000 meters and made a small move, but could not catch the leaders. Julie Culley (15:13) won, Molly Huddle was second and Kim Conley (15:19.79) edged Julia Lucas for third and was under the Olympic "A" standard by just .21.

"You can't be disappointed about a PR, but I'm definitely hurting," Infeld said.

Blewitt-Wilson advances: Boardman native Adriane Blewitt-Wilson was 10th in the women's shot put prelims and advanced to the final. Canton native Ashley Muffet-Duncan was 19th and did not advance.

Maggie on the move: Running almost two hours before her sister Emily's 5,000 final, Maggie Infeld cruised into today's 1,500 semifinal with a fourth-place finish (4:14.60) in her prelim heat Thursday. Running in the fastest heat, she qualified fourth overall. She was boxed in until the final 150 meters, but didn't panic.

"My coach is like, 'Just stay patient.' I had to just position myself well, and I think I did that," she said. "It's going to be tough to make it through [to the final]. It's a really stacked field. I'm excited for the challenge."

Seeing the semis: Ohio State graduate and assistant coach Jeff See qualified 20th overall for the men's 1,500 semifinal with a 3:42.03 and fourth-place heat finish. Long throw: Steeplechaser Bridget Franek of Hiram is not the only Portage County athlete scheduled to compete today. Mogadore High grad Kim Kreiner, 34, is entered in the javelin. She was the 2004 trials champion and a 2008 Olympian, but hasn't won a U.S. national title since 2006 and is considered a long shot this week.

Oberlin connection: Oregon track coach Vin Lananna went from being a track coach at Stanford to the athletic director at Oberlin College before being hired in 2005 to revive "Track Town USA." A rich track history and an enriching connection to Nike were waiting for a coach to lead the Ducks back to national prominence.

"I wound up at Oberlin because I was really interested in an administrative position," Lananna said. "My experience at Oberlin was fabulous. I was there just two years, but it was all good. I wasn't a big fan of the weather, but I was so immersed in turning the athletic program that I didn't do much around the area, except work."

Lananna also is an associate athletic director charged with bringing in marquis events, such the Olympic trials.

He oversees a $3.4 million track budget and is paid a $400,000 base salary, plus $200,000 in incentives, according to the Portland Oregonian.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Jesse Janosik, 21, will patrol the local streams and Lake Erie shoreline of the state's most populous county. The major metropolitan areas are not attractive to veteran wildlife officers, a reason why newly minted wildlife officers are handed the assignment.

View full sizePeggy Turbett, The Plain DealerA young fisherman carries his catch along the breakwall near the Edgwater Yacht Club in Cleveland after some early evening fishing last week.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife is sending new wildlife officer Jesse Janosik, 21, to Cuyahoga County next week to patrol the local streams and Lake Erie shoreline of the state's most populous county.

Janosik, of Warren, is among 11 men graduating today from the 6-month-long Ohio Wildlife Officer Training Academy. His father, Jeff Janosik, is area manager of the ODOW's Highlandtown Wildlife Area.

The major metropolitan areas are not attractive to veteran wildlife officers, a reason why newly minted wildlife officers are handed the assignment. It costs more to live here and life is at a more hectic pace.

The Cuyahoga County post had been vacant since April 2011, when rookie Holly Fluharty, a country gal who landed in the big city, sought a transfer to Trumbull County. Before Fluharty, young Jason Hadsell did well as a rookie officer here before moving to rural Ashtabula County.

"I worked with this year's class and was very impressed with the demeanor of the young men and the way they handled themselves," said Assistant Chief David Lane. "We know the negatives of being assigned to a heavily populated county, especially the higher cost of living, but we have not been able to work out an agreement with the wildlife officers union to pay more to those officers."

Wildlife officers make $37,440 a year as cadets. That jumps to more than $40,000 in about a year.

Lane wanted at least 18 graduates this year. About 650 applied and 100 went through the interview process. Only 11 qualified for the academy. All are assigned to counties where a wildlife officer has retired, been promoted or moved to another county.

"Our background investigation is pretty extensive," said Lane. "We had 1,000 applicants about 10 years ago and hired only 18."

Summit County wildlife officer Brennan Earick is heading to Ashland County, where longtime county wildlife officer Brian Banbury has been promoted to investigator. Northern Ohio wildlife grads this year include Aaron Brown, 30, of Wellington.

Photo finish: Walleye fishermen from across the country battled early waves and sizzling afternoon temperatures in the AIM Pro Walleye Series on Lake Erie off Lorain on Thursday. Fish eager to bite made up for their discomfort.

The unique tournament trail has anglers bring back photos of the walleye they caught, with the walleye released after having their pictures taken. After the first day of the three-day event, Mike Gofron of Antioch, Ill., had the best photos at the reconfigured weigh-in. His limit of seven walleye measured 194.75 inches. Using a tournament format, those walleye were estimated to weigh 63.03 pounds.

Donald Loch of Iron Mountain, Mich., was close behind with 60.28 pounds, followed by Bruce Samson of Minnestra, Minn., with 59.98 pounds; Mark Martin of Twin Lakes, Mich., 58.04 pounds; and Gary Parsons of Glidden, Wis., 57.95 pounds.

All of the 29 two-angler teams of pro and amateur fishermen had photos of at least seven walleye, the tournament limit. Weigh-ins today and Saturday are at Black River Landing in Lorain.

Cast a fly: A Warm Water Fly-Fishing Seminar on Saturday at The Backpacker's Shop in Sheffield Village features Strongsville's Jerry Darkes and Jeff Liskay of North Olmsted. The 9 a.m. seminar covers local fly-fishing techniques for bass, walleye, panfish and carp, fly-tying demos and casting advice. Anglers can test new gear from some of the top tackle makers.

Retrievers make splash: The second annual Curly-Coated Retriever Club takes over the Buckeye Retriever Club's Hambden Nursery grounds, 14849 Rock Creek Road, Chardon, on Saturday and Sunday for its hunt test. Spectators are welcome but asked to wear dark or camouflage-colored clothing. The all-day action starts at 9 a.m.

Walleye competition: The Lake Erie Walleye Trail held its postponed Hi-Way Bait and Tackle Tournament, as well as its Erie Outfitters Tournament and the Crown Battery/Sharpnack Chevrolet LEWT annual championship last weekend on Lake Erie at Huron. Mike and Shane Solomy won the rescheduled event with five walleye weighing 36.52 pounds, and added the championship crown by winning Sunday's competition with 37.47 pounds. Jay Gullett and Scott Gietgey were second in the two-day standings with 72.60 pounds, followed by Mike Robinson and Mike Tobias, who moving up 13 spots on Sunday to grab third with 69.82 pounds.

Wade Massad and his squad won the recent annual Battle of Lake Erie held at the Cleveland Yacht Club, anchoring a 32.5-pound catch of five walleye with a 10.5-pounder, best of the event. Also on the team were Massad's son, Mack, John Shiry, John O'Brien Jr., and Rodger Riggs.

Homer's gone fishing: Homer Circle, one of America's most beloved outdoor writers, died Friday at age 97. Just a couple of days before, Circle had enjoyed his weekly fishing trip with longtime pal and Ocala, Fla., neighbor, videographer Glen Lau.

Both are Ohio natives. Lau grew up in the Toledo area and was a Lake Erie fishing and hunting guide. Circle graduated from high school in Springfield, Ohio, becoming a salesman in a local outdoor store. Circle created a lure, The Walnut Crab, and tried to sell it to Heddon. They didn't buy the lure, but they hired Circle to handle their advertising and public relations. For 34 years, Circle was fishing editor of Sports Afield. He wrote many fishing books -- "Bass Wisdom" was a big seller -- and starred in Lau's two bass-fishing films, "Bigmouth" (1973) and "Bigmouth Forever" (1996).

I bumped into Circle while registering for a fishing tackle show about three decades ago. He insisted I call him "Uncle Homer," and took me around the show so he could introduce me to his friends. It was a busy day. Circle knew everyone in the fishing industry. All relished a visit with him -- and Circle's newest "nephew."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158