NBA Draft 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers Unlikely to Draft Nerlens Noel No.1
By John Adair
Most NBA Draft experts will tell you that Nerlens Noel is the best talent in this year’s class. While that may not be up for too much debate, Noel played just 24 games at the University of Kentucky before a torn ACL kept him on the sideline for the remainder of the season.
With the first overall pick in the last three years, Cleveland is looking to make a big splash this off-season, along with a playoff run next season.
Kyrie Irving is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA, and won’t even turn 22 until next off-season. Dion Waiters is a promising, young shooting guard that played well down the stretch of his rookie season. Tristan Thompson improved in his second season, and center Anderson Varajeo is healthy and set to return for the 2013-2014 season.
In other news, the Cavs have been linked to potential trade talks with Danny Granger and are reportedly interested in signing former number one pick Greg Oden.
According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, owner Dan Gilbert has all but guaranteed that his team will be taking part in next year’s postseason, rather than finding themselves in the all too familiar lottery.
With that said, the Cavs intentions are to compete right away, and Nerlens Noel will not contribute to that. Noel will more than likely not contribute much of anything to an NBA team next season, but is viewed more as a long-term prospect.
If Cleveland does plan on passing on Noel, they will likely either try to trade the first overall pick or select either Otto Porter or Ben McLemore.