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2012-13 Cleveland Cavaliers

Draft Grades, Needs, Free Agents, Season Preview

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Cleveland Cavaliers

2011-12: 21-45, 13th in Eastern Conference

2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 12th

2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:

C: Anderson Vaejao/Tyler Zeller/Michael Eric

PF: Tristan Thompson/Samardo Samuels/Luke Walton/Luke Harangody/Jon Leuer

SF: Omri Casspi or Alonzo Gee/C.J. Miles/Kelenna Azubuike

SG: Dion Waiters/Daniel Gibson

PG: Kyrie Irving/David Sloan/Jeremy Pargo

Head Coach: Byron Scott (2nd season)

Cleveland's offseason was:
... a building block. The Cavaliers' front office did the smart thing by not blowing any of the team's cap space and spending money on overpriced veterans. Cleveland added a pair of young pieces in Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller. In case you are new to my writing, I love Waiters and think he has the potential to be a Dwyane Wade-type player in the NBA - although I must admit I was shocked he went fourth overall.

Zeller will be a serviceable big man in the NBA, though I can't ever see him developing into a starter on a playoff-caliber team. The Cavaliers were fairly quiet this offseason, which is not a negative for a team that was ultimately building from scratch last season and not looking to open up its wallet by overpaying free agents.

2012-2013 will be a success if:
... Kyrie Irving stays healthy, Tristan Thompson develops his offensive game, and Waiters shows flashes of being a star. Irving proved last year that he has superstar potential and the capability of leading this franchise into the future. He was hampered by injury, including a late season concussion, which has some in Cleveland wondering if he is injury proned. If Irving can avoid the injury bug, he should become one of the bright young stars in the league.

I was vehemently against Thompson being the fourth-overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but when you look back at that draft class, it wasn't a terrible decision. He is solid on the glass, but needs to become more well-rounded on the offensive end to take the next step with his game. Waiters is in a similar position as he is terrific off the bounce due to his strength and athleticism, but is inconsistent with his outside shooting. These three players are the future of the Cavaliers franchise, so their play will bring either optimism or pessimism to the team's outlook for the next couple of years.

2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... injuries take a toll on the team once again. One thing Cleveland lacks is quality depth. Anderson Varejao missed a significant chunk of last season with a torn tendon in his wrist. I already mentioned Irving, and the team's top bench scorer Daniel Gibson was also sidelined for nearly half of last season. (By the way, it's a sad but true statement that Gibson is the team's top bench scorer.) Any injury to one of the starters will tremendously affect what is already a thin crop of reserves that don't exactly bring a ton of firepower to the floor.

Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
A pair of terrible contracts will come off the books in Luke Walton and Daniel Gibson, which will open up almost $11 million in cap space and give the Cavaliers a ton of cap flexibility to possibly pursue a veteran or two. The most interesting player to watch will be Anderson Varejao. He is serving right now as one of the lone experienced players on the roster, but given the team's youth movement, Cleveland could decide to deal him for some more young talent or assets in future picks. Varejao might even be moved prior to the trade deadline. Even if Cavaliers keep him, they could also end up with as many as three first-round picks which will accelerate the rebuilding effort in Cleveland.

RealCavsFan 04-20-2013 07:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.189 (total posts: 1)

its DONALD MOTHAFAULKING SOAN. and Alanzo Gee is a forward And the jumping jew sucks.

Jeff 02-05-2013 11:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.149 (total posts: 1)

You have to be kidding me with Zeller's grade.He fills the big man role with Andy always injured.ot to mention he contributes no matter what so I would give him a solid B or not so solid A

Nick 08-11-2012 10:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.104 (total posts: 1)

Kyrie Irving=Chris Paul
Tristan Thompson=Serge Ibaka

Obviously this is more than 1 year later but i beleive that the Cavs walked away with the most from the 2011 Draft. Thompson put up nearly the same numbers Derrick Williams did and Irving was a straight up stud. I thought the same thing after we drafted Thompson but in the end, as a Cavs fan I'm happy with the choice. Plus with Waiters and Zeller, as well as 7 first round picks in the next 3 years the future looks GREAT in Cleveland!

Lhady 07-25-2012 12:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 1)

i think it's the fairest way there is. it doesn't maettr how bad you suck. you don't throw games. period. it gives the highest chances to the worst teams, without making it a definite so teams are less likely to race for the bottom. the only better (haha in theory NOT practice) way would be to get a committee together and have them sit around and rank all the teams.. heh.. and for a kicks you could throw some computer rankings in there

Mark Hicks 07-01-2012 11:45 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.107 (total posts: 1)

163

147

While I agree with you with your love for Dion Waiters, I do not totally agree with your assessment of Tyler Zeller. Personally, I would have kept one of those 2nd round picks to take Quincy Miller but otherwise to get a solid athletic center who can run the floor with Irving, Waiters, and Thompson makes the Cavs exciting to watch. I think for them to trade 3 players (who could be D-League players) for a starting center who could possibly be in the league for 10 years was well worth it.

Josh N 06-30-2012 01:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx23.7 (total posts: 1)

Everyone keeps ripping the Cavs picks, the fact is that I like both and I will decide if they were good when the season rolls back around

Some Guy 06-29-2012 05:31 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.207 (total posts: 1)

Guys Walt doesn't write this... Just look at the top of the page.

Also if given the choice between Thompson, Varejao, and Zeller or Thompson, Varejao, and Erden it is very clear which one everyone would take. I feel more confident with Zeller getting minutes that belonged to Erden, Hollins, Samuels etc. I would go at least a c+ on that pick.

Austin 06-29-2012 03:09 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.206 (total posts: 1)

Do you hate all white guys drafted in the 1st round? You gonna kill the team that takes Cody Zeller next yr?

Sports 06-29-2012 12:49 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.187 (total posts: 1)

I love Waiters at 4. He won't have the ball in his hands to much because of Irving. Waiters has a terrific upside to him and the chance he is a stud is way greater than a bust and that's what the NBA draft is. Zellar trade deserves a C in my mind and it's not because we took Zellar, I like the pick. Zellar a 7'0 footer that is smart, rebounds, not awful defense and can score at times(perfect for this Cavs team). But the problem here is what we gave up, we need something on the small forward position that can defend. Taylor from Vandy would of been wonderful. Love the pics but still need to beef up our wings.

Chaz 06-29-2012 10:47 am xxx.xxx.xxx.246 (total posts: 1)

You may not like the Zeller pick, but we got a big man that can run the floor, rebound, score and is a solid basketball player. The Cavs did not want to pick 4 players in the draft because they didn't want that many rookies. They did what many experts said they would do and that is trade picks to move up: done.

Put these two players with Irving and we have a nice young solid base. I give it an A all around.

Not a Cavs fan 06-29-2012 08:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.10 (total posts: 1)

You are way off on the Zeller grade. That is a solid B. He contributes immediately and fills a void in the middle for the Cavs.

Not a bad trade at all.

Oh Boy 06-29-2012 02:57 am xxx.xxx.xxx.227 (total posts: 1)

waiters is a good player, but i don't see how he's worth a #4 pick. he's going to end up being a 6th man (rather thana starter) because he turns the ball over too much and he's not enough wade and too much like monta ellis.

Walt, you fell in love with kemba walker last year and he is not going to be a star in the league. he wasn't worth the high pick and neither is waiters.

MarkieB89 06-29-2012 12:26 am xxx.xxx.xxx.152 (total posts: 1)

I dont get it... I just dont. Nothing on Waiters, and the way he plays. I have watched him play and think he will be a tremendous player, and we do need a slasher, but as many decent to above average jump shooting 2-guards there is in FA this year, I have NO idea why the Cavs didn't trade up for Kidd Gilchrist and sign a guard this year...

Bill Smith 06-29-2012 12:18 am xxx.xxx.xxx24.0 (total posts: 1)

Thanks so much. Great stuff as always.

Charles 06-28-2012 11:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.13 (total posts: 1)

Like Walt I absolutely love the Waiters pick a few people compare him to Wade, but physically and playing style wise their identical. Wade is 6'4 and 220 lbs. according to NBA.Com while Waiters is 6'4 and 221 according to DraftExpress. So they are the exact same height and basically the same weight and they both have a slashing style of play. So I don't know why so many people are complaining a back court with Wade(Waiters) and Irving sounds like a dangerous combo. This is probably irrelevant but Waiters and Wade are both #3 as well.

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2012-13 Cleveland Cavaliers Draft Grades, Needs, Free Agents, Season Preview