Ferry Genuine Draft

The 2008 NBA Draft is upon us, which has people all over the pro basketball map buzzing. For Chicago, it’s Derrick Rose vs. Michael Beasley. For Miami, it’s stay at No. 2 vs. trade No. 2. For several teams in the top 10, it’s the chance to load up on a draft featuring several top point guard prospects and loaded with big men. For me, I’m just stoked the Cavaliers actually have a pick.

Since selecting that one dude from Akron with the No. 1 overall pick in 2003, the Cavs’ draft resume hasn’t been impressive. Other than Daniel Gibson, who was a second-round steal in ’06, we either haven’t done a good job in evaluation (Luke Jackson, Shannon Brown, Ejike Ugboaja), or we lost picks due to trades, several of which brought us timeless talents like Jiri Welsch. This year, we have the 19th overall selection, and our second-round pick (48th overall) ended up in Phoenix for reasons, quite honestly, I don’t remember.

In any case, the NBA Draft is one of the best ways to build your team, and while the No. 19 selection probably isn't going to land us a hall-of-famer, it can be used to fortify what's already a pretty good roster. The chips have fallen relatively in our favor, seeing as how three of our bigs are over 30 years of age and this class is ripe with potential replacements.

Before we get to that, however, the most popular rumors floating around the Cavs these days involve trading the pick and a couple players (cough cough Anderson Varejao, cough cough Wally Szczerbiak) elsewhere in hopes of landing a bona-fide all-star (cough cough Michael Redd). This is unlikely for a number of reasons - although it doesn't mean an acquisition of such magnitude won't be made later this year - so for right now, I'll just focus on the draft.

One trade that seems more realistic is the Cavs acquiring Golden State's pick at No. 14, all but assuring the selection of Kansas' Brandon Rush, an athletic swingman who can defend and hit shots. I wouldn't bet on this coming to fruition, but if the Cavs really want someone like Rush, Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts and Western Kentucky's Courtney Lee should still be on the board at No. 19.

However, my gut (along with several hundred draft insiders) tells me the Cavs will likely select a big man with the pick. In that case, here are several of the top candidates who might still be available:

Kosta Koufos, Ohio State, 7-1, 265

The skinny: Koufos has been described as “the next Zydrunas Ilgauskas”, and that’s not a joke, as much as it may sound like one. Before a rash of injuries, Big Z was very athletic for a man his size (7-3, 250), and Koufos has similar athleticism, as well as Z’s reliable range as a jump-shooter. His passive defense has been knocked, as well as his so-so rebounding and occasional lack of confidence. But he’s young (19), he’s a northeast Ohioan (Canton), and there’s a lot less here to develop than with other prospects.

The status: Not likely, because several late-lottery teams covet Koufos for the very same reasons.

Robin Lopez, Stanford, 7-0, 245

The skinny: While lesser regarded than his twin brother Brook, this 20-year-old Lopez is an excellent defender, and he’s the kind of tough shot-blocker the Cavaliers didn’t have until Ben Wallace arrived last February. Lopez is bigger and more athletic than Wallace, but he’s also about as dangerous offensively. And he can’t shoot free throws, which means he’ll fit right in with the Cavs.

The status: Several NBA GMs reportedly joked with ESPN insider Chad Ford that Lopez is nowhere near as good as he’s being projected, but while he won’t be the Robin to LeBron’s Batman, this Robin could still be a valuable addition.

Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, 7-2, 275

The skinny: What he lacks in explosiveness and quickness, he makes up for with his passing and work ethic. Hibbert is great in the low post at both ends of the floor, but he’ll struggle mightily against big guys with perimeter games (David West, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, etc.). All that said, you can’t teach size, heart and experience, and Hibbert is as NBA-ready as they come these days.

The status: Early iterations of Ford’s mock draft had the Cavs selecting Hibbert, and he’ll most likely be available at No. 19. Questions abound, however, considering the Cavs want to get faster and Hibbert is a throwback center.

DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M, 6-11, 250

The skinny: Jordan isn’t polished by any means. His back-to-the-basket game is shoddy, and his face-up game is non-existent. He can’t pass, he can’t shoot free throws, he doesn’t always play hard. And yet, of all the guys who are projected around the 19th pick, he’s the guy I want most. He might take a couple of years to develop, but the 20-year-old Jordan is arguably the most athletic big man in the whole draft, and he’s a great rebounder and shot-blocker. At No. 19, there probably won’t be anyone who can create consistently on offense, so the next best thing is Jordan, the type of authoritative finisher at the basket that LeBron needs.

The status: As much as I want Jordan, the Sixers absolutely love him, so there’s a good chance he’ll be gone by the 16th pick.

Other potential selections include LSU’s Anthony Randolph, Kansas’ Darrell Arthur, California’s Ryan Anderson, Nevada’s JaVale McGee, and Florida’s Marreese Speights. But if you trust the experts, the Cavs will likely take one of the big guys listed above.

The draft pick is nice, but the Cavs will have to make the big splash through trade, especially with all the expiring contracts heading into next season. Still, given our recent draft drought, here’s hoping we take Jordan, or someone else who can help us continue to improve.