Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.Clearly, the Cavs have not only the talent but the need to try and to win now. If Danny Ferry decides to wait, he might end up trying to win without LeBron James (or without a job) and that ain't gonna happen.
Picks: #19
Needs: In order to win now, Cleveland needs legit (sorry Wally) scoring from the perimeter or some backcourt help. Say what you want for their interior offensive needs, but they have three centers who are going to play. And seriously, think about how Wally and Delonte got loose in the playoffs -- that's a direct result of James being on the same team, not their talents. Now let's add someone who isn't washed up.
Best case scenario: Mario Chalmers somehow falls down to them at 19, which seemed a lot more likely a few weeks, or even days, ago. Instead, how about Courtney Lee, who easily could fall here? Either one would be good (Lee being the better scorer but Chalmers can run the Cleveland "offense")but yet, seems somehow unlikely ...
More likely scenario: Citing a need for "an inside presence" and talking about the "best player available", Ferry makes Roy Hibbert the pick at 19. Mike Brown gleefully almost-smiles as he "draws up" a go big gameplan that involves LeBron at point, and Varejao, Big Ben, Big Z and Hibbert filling out the rest of the lineup spots in some metaphorical big man orgy that sets basketball back another 12,000 years.
Please don't take: Um, Hibbert. Or someone big.
Trade possibilities: Distinct, particularly when you consider that Wally's contract expires after next season, making him pretty valuable. It'll be tough for the Cavs to take on any more salary, but using Wally to vault up in the draft and get a ready-from-the-start scorer, should it look like Chalmers or Lee aren't going to drop.
