Reports say the Cavaliers are trying to buy or trade for a pick in tonight's draft. Most mock drafts predict that Kentucky guard John Wall will be the first selection, going to Washington, and that Philadelphia will then tab Ohio State guard Evan Turner.
Ohio State guard Evan Turner is expected to be picked by the Philadelphia 76ers.• NBA Draft Tracker
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers do not have a pick in tonight's NBA draft, though it has been reported that they are checking into buying or trading for one.
Cleveland traded its second-round pick, with Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace, to the Phoenix Sunslast June for Shaquille O'Neal. In February, as the trade deadline approached, the Cavs sent their first-rounder and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to the Washington Wizardsfor Antawn Jamison. Cleveland also got Sebastian Telfair from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the deal, and a month later, Ilgauskas re-signed with the Cavaliers.
Plain Dealer Cavaliers draft coverage includes Bill Lubinger's story about how in 1970, the Cavaliers prepared for the draft of college players and also for the expansion draft of NBA veterans. The expansion-team Cavs were about to begin their first season. Included in the story is Lubinger's "Where are they now?" update on the players from the first Cavaliers team.
Earlier this week, Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Brian Windhorst wrote about the Cavs' efforts to buy or trade for a draft pick.
Whether the Cavs acquire a pick or not, the draft will proceed. And as it does, the various mock drafts will prove to be of great foresight or folly.
Wall, then Turner
NBAdraft.net updated its mock draft Wednesday night. Like many others, the website has Washington taking Kentucky guard John Wall with the first pick and the Philadelphia 76ers using the second pick to select Ohio State guard Evan Turner.
Included are in-depth profiles on the players, such as this on Evan Turner.
Among the "strengths" detailed about Turner:
Slick mid-range game with the ability to change directions and get defenders off balance to create looks ... Good upperbody strength allows him to absorb contact and make plays at the rim ... Strong finisher. Very adept at finishing after contact. Also utilizes the glass effectively ... Has a nifty runner when he meets up with shot blockers in the paint ... Understands how to use his body to shield the ball from opponents ... Has a great pull up jumper and his ability to drive really sets up his ability to pull up for shots ... Utilizes the spin dribble to get by opponents effectively and into the paint ... Creative playmaker with the ability to find others for shots when his path to the basket gets cut off ... Solid vision and a good passer capable of finding the open man.
With the first pick...
Ian Thomsen takes care of the mock draft for Sports Illustrated's SI.com. About projected No. 1 John Wall, Thomsen writes:
Wall enables the Wizards to embark on a new course based on his speed in the open court, his willingness to share the ball and, above all, his potential to be an elite defender. Gilbert Arenas -- provided he can manage to play a full season for the first time in four years -- will accommodate Wall by moving off the ball to become a finisher.
Elsewhere
Jeff Goodman runs the mock draft for FoxSports.com.
DraftExpress.com makes its picks.
Getting in on the fun with its picks is NBA.Fanhouse.com.
TheHoopDoctors.com predicts how the draft will go.
InsideHoops.com predicts what team will pick which player.
HoopsHype.com makes its picks.