Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Rumors

Knicks make 'point' to look at Cavaliers' Sessions
February 2
New York Post
 
"As the Baron Davis injury saga gets increasingly murky, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni didn't dismiss a query about the club's potential interest in a long-time target, Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions. D'Antoni didn't knock down the possibility of upgrading the roster, and the Knicks also are linked to free agent Kenyon Martin. The Cavaliers are shopping Sessions, and the Knicks have had interest since 2009 free agency when they were close to a deal. Perhaps D'Antoni didn't evade the question because he's trying to light a fire under Davis, whose debut is delayed because he was unable to compete in scrimmages Monday or yesterday because of back soreness."
Lakers show interest in Cavs' Sessions
January 30
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Los Angeles Lakers have talked with the Cleveland Cavaliers about possibly acquiring guard Ramon Sessions, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. No deal is imminent, but the Lakers view Sessions as a candidate who could help their depleted backcourt. The Lakers are without injured guard Steve Blake, and have relied heavily on rookies Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris to play behind 37-year-old Derek Fisher. The Lakers have an $8.9 million trade exception, acquired from the Dallas Mavericks for Lamar Odom, to absorb salary. Sessions makes $4.3 million this season and has a player option for $4.6 million for the 2012-13 season."
Cavaliers reportedly interested in Hornets center Chris Kaman
January 29
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Although Cavs general manager Chris Grant declined to comment, NBA sources indicate the Cavs are interested in New Orleans center Chris Kaman, who is on the trading block. At this point, their level of interest is unclear, although the Cavs have long been admirers of the 7-footer obtained by the Hornets from the Clippers in the trade for Chris Paul earlier this season. A call to Kaman's agent, Rob Pelinka, was not returned on Saturday and Cavs coach Byron Scott refused to weigh in. "I have no thoughts on that whatsoever," Scott said as the Cavs prepared to leave for Boston, where they will face the Celtics today. "CG, that's his job to handle all that." Kaman, who will turn 30 on April 28,"
Cleveland return in LeBron's future?
January 26
Foxsports.com
 
"Playing against the Cavaliers will always be special for Miami's LeBron James, even if he ever tried to deny it. So far, he hasn't done that — and that alone should really tell you something. James just has too much history with his hometown franchise to treat Miami vs. Cleveland as just another game. That includes everything from his upbringing in nearby Akron to the Cavaliers selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. You know the rest. It was all sunshine and roses for both James and Cavs fans and now James is said to feel largely unwelcome in Cleveland — and disappointed because of it. Those close to him say its affected him greatly on occasion. Even boos in other cities bugged"
Ailing Davis to join Knicks today
December 19
New York Post
 
"The Baron is coming to Broadway. With the Knicks uncertain about the proclivity of Toney Douglas as starting point guard, they are rolling the dice Baron Davis' back will be healthy in time to help the club's championship push. Davis gave word to the Knicks yesterday morning he is on board and, according to multiple NBA sources, will officially sign with the club today as contract deals were being finalized. One league source said Davis will accept a one-year deal at the Knicks' $2.5 million exception that had been turned down previously by Jamal Crawford and Shawne Williams."
Baron to sign with Knicks on Monday
December 18
New York Post
 
"Baron Davis will officially sign with the Knicks Monday, according to NBA sources. It is unclear if Davis will sign for the $1.4 million veteran's minimum or the $2.5 million room exception. Davis became a free agent Friday night after clearing amnesty waivers and agreed to become a Knick over this weekend. The Knicks have reviewed medical reports regarding Davis' back and are convinced he will be back on the court this season. There's conflicting sentiment on when he'll be ready to play because of a bulging disk in his back. While agent Todd Ramasar has said eight to 10 weeks, two other sources believe Davis could be back in a month."
Source: Baron Davis weighing options
December 18
ESPN.com
 
"It could be several weeks before veteran point guard Baron Davis' back allows him back on a basketball court, but a source says Davis hopes to decide by Monday what uniform he'll be wearing when that happens. The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat have all expressed interest in signing Davis, who was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday via the league's amnesty clause after his back flared up the first day of training camp. With both the Cavaliers and Davis' agent, Todd Ramasar, reporting that Davis could miss eight to 10 weeks with his back problems, no team with salary cap space placed a bid on him during the 48-hour waiver period."
Baron may come to Garden
December 13
New York Post
 
"If the Knicks can't get Jamal Crawford to accept their $2.5 million exception and have his agent, Andy Miller, help swing a three-team trade, interim general manager Glen Grunwald has a fallback plan — sore-backed point guard Baron Davis. Sources said Davis will either be waived via the amnesty clause or waived outright Friday. The latter is better for the Knicks. "They're watching and waiting,'' one NBA source said of the Knicks. Davis arrived to training camp with a back injury and the Cavs physical reportedly showed it could take a few weeks to heal. Davis, who is seeking a second opinion, has told confidants the Knicks are his first choice — if it is his choice."
Baron Davis misses first Cavs practice with back tightness, says he hasn't asked team for his release
December 10
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Baron Davis' first practice with the Cavs lasted only a few minutes. How many more he'll participate in remains to be seen. While the Cavaliers debate whether or not to use the new amnesty provision to waive the veteran point guard, he missed the first day of practice Friday with tightness in his lower back. Cavs coach Byron Scott said he started the players off with a conditioning run — which he cut in half from its usual length — to gauge the players' fitness levels. Davis took a red-eye flight from California on Thursday night and said he felt his back stiffen up on him during the run. He sat out the rest of practice. "I've seen a whole lot of guys get tightness of the back or an"
Cavaliers sign Irving, Thompson to rookie deals
December 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Cavaliers have signed Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson to rookie contracts on Friday. Irving, the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, will earn $21.9 million over four years. Thompson, the fourth overall pick, was signed to a four-year, $16.65 million contract. In each case, the deals are technically two years with a club option for the third and fourth years."
Cavaliers reportedly prepared to waive guard Baron Davis
December 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Baron Davis was due to arrive in Cleveland on Thursday in preparation for Cavaliers training camp, which opens today. How long the point guard remains in town is unclear. The Cavaliers and agents representing the 32-year-old Davis spoke Thursday to discuss his future with the franchise, The Plain Dealer has learned. Earlier in the day, Yahoo Sports reported the Cavaliers had planned to waive Davis through the amnesty clause once the new collective bargaining agreement became official. The NBA lockout is set to be lifted at 2 p.m. today. The Plain Dealer has not confirmed the Yahoo report, but a league source said no decision had been reached as of late Thursday night. News of Davis'"
Cavaliers reportedly prepared to waive guard Baron Davis
December 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Baron Davis was due to arrive in Cleveland on Thursday night in preparation for Cavaliers' training camp, which opens Friday. How long the point guard remains in town is unclear. The Cavaliers are planning to waive Davis through the amnesty clause once a new collective bargaining agreement is official, according to Yahoo Sports. The Plain Dealer has not confirmed the report. The possible move comes on a day of seismic shifts in the NBA as stars and big-ticket free agents reportedly are headed to big markets yet again. It also comes on the evening players reportedly ratified the new agreement struck by owners and the union."
Antawn Jamison expects to stick around entire season with Cleveland Cavaliers
December 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison was a rookie the last time the NBA crammed lots of games into little calendar space due to a lockout. A kid accustomed to playing twice a week at the University of North Carolina was sometimes appearing in three games in as many nights during the compressed 1998-99 season. The youthful desire to explore a new city's nightlife was soon replaced with the aching need for room service and a good night's sleep. "My body was in shock," said Jamison, the only current Cavalier involved in the last labor impasse. "For somebody who has never experienced even a back-to-back on the NBA schedule to all of a sudden have three games in three nights was unbelievable... "I"
Former Cleveland Cavalier Craig Ehlo linked to Cavs coaching opening; Mark Price expected to join Orlando staff
December 5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"With training camp set to begin Friday, the Cavaliers are expected to name a new assistant coach in the coming days. Interviews have been conducted for a low-level position on coach Byron Scott's staff, but a decision has not been reached, an NBA source said. The Spokane Statesman-Review reported Sunday that former Cavaliers player Craig Ehlo has accepted the position. Ehlo is a first-year assistant coach at Eastern Washington University. He played seven seasons with the Cavs from 1986-93."
Decision on Baron Davis important to Cavaliers future
December 4
Akron Beacon Journal
 columnist Jason Lloyd
"At some point between now and Christmas, the Cavaliers will have a sticky situation to resolve in regard to their amnesty clause. They must decide whether to waive Baron Davis before this season or next. It's bound to happen eventually, the Cavs just have to figure out when the time is right. All of the details regarding the amnesty clause won't be worked out until the new labor deal is ratified later this week. Teams are expected to have the option to exercise the amnesty clause on one player currently on the roster during the length of the labor agreement, but they have to do it before the start of each season. That means anyone signed next week and after isn't eligible, only current"
Cavaliers free agent Anthony Parker generating interest on the market
December 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Cavaliers have made it no secret they want to resign free agent Anthony Parker. They do have competition for his services, however. Several clubs have inquired about the 36-year-old Parker, sources have told the Plain Dealer, including the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. The Knicks' interest in the 6-foot-6 swingman was first reported by the New York Post. Parker averaged 8.3 points and shot 38 percent behind the 3-point arc last season, but his value to the rebuilding Cavaliers extends beyond the scoresheet. His leadership qualities and professionalism could be important intangibles for a young team debuting two top-4 picks in Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson."
Cavs returning to basketball, will target Anthony Parker in free agency
December 2
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Samardo Samuels walked around the basketball floor of the practice facility with his shirt off. General Manager Chris Grant was talking about free agency and coaching vacancies. Slowly but surely, the NBA is returning to relevance this week. The Cavs opened their practice facility to players and media Thursday for the first time since the lockout began. Four Cavs players showed up for voluntary workouts — Samuels, Ramon Sessions, Anderson Varejao, and Manny Harris. They weren't allowed to interact with Grant, coach Byron Scott or any of his assistants. They were, however, able to work with the strength staff and receive medical treatment, if necessary. At least a few of those players are"
Talk of Irving playing overseas silly
November 9
Foxsports.com
 
"Kyrie Irving may hint that he plans to play overseas if the NBA lockout doesn't end, but hinting and actually doing it are two different things entirely. Irving is a 6-foot-2 point guard out of Duke, and was selected No. 1 overall by Cleveland in the June draft. His hint came via his Twitter account, where he wrote, "If a deal doesn't get done soon … overseas here I come." But fear not, Cavaliers fans. It's highly unlikely to happen."
Cavaliers draft pick Kyrie Irving hints at playing overseas if NBA lockout lingers
November 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"If the NBA lockout persists, Kyrie Irving might consider playing abroad. Irving, drafted No. 1 overall by the Cavaliers in June, said on his Twitter account late Tuesday night he's weighing his decision. "If a deal doesn't get done soon . . . overseas here I come," he wrote."
Lakers, Knicks or Bobcats for Baron?
November 1
ESPN.com
 
"Updating Monday's package on the amnesty clause and the presumptions in Cleveland that Baron Davis might go to Miami to team up with LeBron James if the Cavs make him a free agent: Sources with knowledge of Davis' thinking told ESPN.com on Tuesday that Miami would not be at the top of Davis' list of potential free-agent destinations if the Cavs indeed decide to set him free. Davis' hometown Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, sources say, are the two teams he's always dreamed of playing for. Davis also still has a good relationship with the Charlotte community, Bobcats coach Paul Silas and Bobcats assistant coach Stephen Silas, all of which would likewise make the Bobcats an option"
Cleveland Cavaliers still searching for assistant
September 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers coach Byron Scott has spoken informally to a handful of candidates for the club's vacant assistant coach job, but no hiring is imminent. With NBA owners and the players union at loggerheads, the Cavs aren't rushing to fill the hole created by the departure of Chris Jent, who joined the Ohio State staff."
Anderson Varejao's ankle doing well; 'pain free,' says agent
September 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"After months of dealing with doctors and physical therapists, it sounds as though the only ones keeping Anderson Varejao off an NBA court are league owners and union officials. An agent for the Cavaliers center said Varejao's torn ankle tendon has healed, allowing him to participate in drills and pick-up games. He appeared in just 31 Cavaliers' games last season before requiring ankle surgery in February. "Anderson feels great, he's pain free," agent Aylton Tesch said."
Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving is ranked high, even as a rookie
September 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"To decide which players to rank, we started with every player who played in the league last season, and then eliminated players who had signed overseas contracts that made them ineligible for the 2011-12 NBA season. Then we added the 60 members of the 2011 draft class, eliminating those not likely to play in the NBA by 2012. That left 500 players."
Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody might play overseas if lockout lingers
September 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody is weighing the option of playing overseas if the NBA lockout continues. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he's spoken to multiple European teams about the 6-foot-7 Notre Dame product, but stressed there is no deal imminent. "If we feel it's the right fit we would have to consider it," Bartelstein said. Harangody averaged 3.9. points and 2.9 rebounds in 49 games during his rookie season, split between the Cavs and Boston Celtics. He has spent the summer training in the Chicago area and participating in pick-up games with other NBA players."
NBA wants 3rd round in draft
September 7
SheridanHoops.com
 
"After an overnight flight connecting through Helsinki, Finland, I bumped into a scout for the Denver Nuggets near the tourist information booth at the quaint little airport here where the second round of EuroBasket is taking place. Whether he knows it or not, he may be here scouting future third-round draft picks. That's right: Third round. SheridanHoops.com has learned that NBA owners have proposed adding a third round to the annual draft, a proposal that the players' union has countered by offering an array of changes to the draft that would help address the owners' desire for more competitive balance."
NBA Lockout Update: Sides are closer than they're saying
September 6
SheridanHoops.com
 
"Here's the dirty little secret about the NBA lockout, despite what both sides — the owners and the players — would have you believe: They are a lot closer to a settlement than most people realize. I know this because I talk regularly with a bunch of important people who tell me important things, and I am going to explain why I believe a settlement will be reached that will not only save the season, but also enable the NBA to have an "all is forgiven" honeymoon period (similar to what the NFL just experienced following its labor settlement) in which the frenzy of free agents signings, trades, training camps and exhibition games will make everyone forget all of the doomsday talk they've been"
Talk of the Cleveland Cavaliers retiring Zydrunas Ilgauskas' No. 11 is premature
August 25
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"In spite of reports to the contrary all over the Internet recently, the Cavaliers have not yet officially discussed retiring former center Zydrunas Ilgauskas' No. 11. While it is certain that will happen at some point in the future - after all, the much-loved Ilgauskas is the team's all-time leader in games played and rebounds, among other things - the team has not decided to do so yet. Because of the lockout, the Cavs cannot comment on the situation now, but at the time of the NBA draft, sources said the subject came up as rookie Kyrie Irving was deciding which number to wear in Cleveland. Irving, the former Duke star who was taken with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft last June, wore No."
Casspi eyes Tony Parker's French team
August 23
ESPN.com
 
"The San Antonio Spurs would undoubtedly prefer to see them playing together in South Texas, but the prospect of Tony Parker and longtime Spurs favorite Omri Casspi teaming up in France is very much alive. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday that Casspi is giving strong consideration to signing with ASVEL in France's top division. That's the same ASVEL club which claims Parker as a co-owner and as its vice president of basketball operations. It initially appeared that Casspi -- after being dealt from Sacramento to Cleveland on June 30 in the final trade consummated in the NBA before the start of the July 1 lockout -- was a lock to play for perennial Euroleague power"
Next bargaining session coming early September?
August 17
CBSSports.com
 
"It took 46 days for the NBA and its players' union after the lockout began July 1. It didn't go all that well. Rhetoric from both sides ramped up, lawsuits started flying around and most importantly, there wasn't any movement towards the middle. Then David Stern accused the union of cancelling a meeting last week with the union responding that Billy Hunter had been told Stern wasn't going to be available for two weeks. So as you can tell, this is all going just super. But they're finally going to try again sometime in early September, according to Newsday. At this point, the union will host an executive meeting in New York at the end of August. The anticipation is the union and league"
David Stern: NBA to look at contraction
August 15
CBSSports.com
 
"The NBA currently has thirty teams, but the league's commissioner, David Stern, seems open to the possibility that that number of franchises could shrink in the future. Speaking on an ESPN.com podcast, Stern stated that there is some interest in contraction from both the league and players sides and that the subject will be picked up after the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations are completed. "[Contraction] is not a subect that we're against," Stern said. "In fact, when you talk about revenue sharing, a number of teams have said that if you have a team that is perpetually going to be a recipient, aren't you better off with the ability to buy them in? Because between the"
Israeli pro team owner says Omri Casspi will play overseas during NBA lockout
August 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Maccabi Tel Aviv co-cowner David Federman said in an interview on Israeli radio on Sunday that Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi has entered into discussions to play with Maccabi Tel Aviv during the NBA lockout, although Casspi would be able to return to the Cavs immediately if the NBA and its players association reach an agreement. A source close to Casspi, who suffered a minor knee injury last week in training with the Israeli national team that could keep him out of the upcoming European championships, said the discussions were preliminary at this point and that nothing had been finalized."
Omri Casspi injures knee while training with Israeli basketball team
August 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"There are conflicting reports about a knee injury suffered by Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi during training with the Israeli basketball team. Because of the NBA lockout, the Cavaliers cannot contact Casspi or comment on the reports. According to eurobasket.com, Casspi, the first Israeli-born player in the NBA, slipped during practice on Wednesday, will have physical therapy for two weeks and is questionable for the EuroBasket championships in Lithuania. The team is trying to finish in the top six in the EuroBasket tournament, which would qualify it for next summer's last-chance Olympic qualifying tournament, where the final three teams to win London 2012 bids will be decided. "The knee is"
Anthony Parker says he hasn't ruled out re-signing with Cavs
August 8
The News-Herald
 
"The chances of 36-year-old swingman Anthony Parker returning to the Cavaliers are slim. But he has not ruled out re-signing with the club. He said he doesn't know where the report originated from that he has ruled out the Cavs. "I have never said that I will not re-sign with the Cavs," Parker said via email. "I don't know where Fox Sports Ohio got that information, but it wasn't from me." Parker will be an unrestricted free agent when the lockout ends. The 6-foot-6, 210-pounder spent two seasons with the Cavs. He started 65 of the 72 games in which he played last year and averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists. His job was to spread the floor with his perimeter shooting. He shot"
Spurs were interested in Casspi until the lockout shut off transactions
July 5
San Antonio Express-News
 
"The Spurs apparently were active right up until the cutoff point before the lockout as they attempted to swing a late trade. ESPN.com's Marc Stein tweets that Spurs and the Knicks both were interested in 6-for-9 forward Omri Casspi, who eventually ended up in Cleveland in the J.J. Hickson trade. Casspi remained with the Cavaliers and the Spurs couldn't get the deal done before last Thursday's shutoff point."
Report: Spurs, Knicks called Cavaliers about Casspi
July 4
Pro Basketball Talk
 
"The only really interesting pre-lockout trade in the NBA was the Cavaliers sending J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings for Omri Casspi and a future pick (likely first rounder but there are a number of protections on it). Generally, it is thought the Kings won that trade (they got the better player). But there is also certainly some interest around the league in the Israeli Casspi, as Marc Stein of ESPN noted on twitter."
Cavs trade J.J. Hickson to Kings for Omri Casspi, 1st-round pick
June 30
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"In a move to clear out the logjam at power forward and address the void at small forward, the Cavaliers traded power forward J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday for small forward Omri Casspi and a 2012 first-round draft choice. The deal was completed hours before the collective bargaining agreement is set to expire. All indications are that the NBA will lock out its players beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Hickson, 22, was the 19th pick in the 2008 draft and has been the Cavs starting power forward for the better part of two seasons in spite of a maddening tendency to disappear during games, especially on the boards. He did rebound better after moving to center in the middle of"
Sources: Cavaliers, Kings near deal
June 30
ESPN.com
 
"The Cleveland Cavaliers are in advanced discussions on a trade that would send power forward J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings for swingman Omri Casspi, according to sources briefed on the talks. It's believed that the teams must complete the deal Thursday before midnight to ensure its completion, with a lockout widely expected at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, barring unforeseen progress in labor talks between the league and the NBA Players Association."
Cavaliers exercise option on Christian Eyenga, keeping him under contract through 2012-13 season
June 30
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Christian Eyenga experienced the ups and downs of most rookies during the 2010-11 NBA season. The Cleveland Cavaliers, though, have seen enough potential in the 6-7 guard-forward from the Congo to exercise the third-year option on his contract. The move, announced today by Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant, keeps Eyenga's contract under the Cavs' control through the 2012-13 season. Eyenga, 22, played in 44 games with the Cavaliers last season. He averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocked shots in 21.5 minutes per game. Eyenga shot 42.5 percent from the field, including 27.5 percent on 3-point tries, and 64.3 percent on free throws."
It only gets harder for owners, players; owners expected to push for $45 million hard cap
June 30
San Antonio Express-News
 columnist Mike Monroe
"The NBA's Board of Governors met Tuesday in Dallas and heard a report on collective bargaining from Spurs owner Peter Holt, chairman of its labor relations committee. The league wouldn't reveal if the board officially authorized locking out the players once the clock strikes midnight Thursday, the end of the collective bargaining agreement that's been in place since 2005, but it doesn't matter. As commissioner David Stern has warned already, such a vote is a mere formality and can be conducted by any means at any time. The first lockout authorization via text message may be mere hours away. Holt's committee will meet with the negotiating committee of the National Basketball Player's"
Kyrie Irving relishes big night at home, even if LeBron James' shadow looms
June 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"A minute before he stepped onto the stage to begin his NBA career, Kyrie Irving heard the boos. They were not meant for him, of course. Here in Newark, just a few miles from where the West Orange native became a high school star at St. Patrick, he gets nothing but love. No, they were meant for the player who flashed briefly on the screen at the Prudential Center , wearing a white suit and a smile. The scoreboard screen was showing the other No. 1 overall picks of the Cleveland Cavaliers, starting with Austin Carr and Brad Daugherty. Then came LeBron James. And, just in case Irving needed a reminder of the wounds he'll be expected to help heal in Cleveland, the anger filled the arena"
Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving with No. 1 pick in 2011 NBA Draft, take Texas forward Tristan Thompson at No. 4
June 24
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Two years ago, Kyrie Irving attended the NBA draft in Madison Square Garden with his stepmother, Shetellia Riley Irving. At one point in the evening, after watching player after player walk across the stage and shake NBA commissioner David Stern's hand, Irving turned to his stepmother and said, "I'm going to be there one day." Five weeks ago, Irving attended the NBA lottery in Secaucus, N.J., where the Cavaliers earned the No. 1 pick in the draft. Asked if he felt as he was almost in the NBA, "No, I don't feel like I'm there yet -- not until I shake David Stern's hand and put on a hat." About 7:40 p.m. on Thursday he did just that, moments after Stern announced that he had been selected by"
Cavaliers, Bobcats discuss deal
June 23
Yahoo! Sports
 
"A fascinating game of cat-and-mouse has unfolded in the middle of the lottery, where the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Bobcats are jockeying to get the players they want out of the 2011 draft. Cleveland wants to draft 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas of Lithuania, but had a scenario where it could get him and also land the 19th overall pick belonging to the Bobcats, sources said. Charlotte has the ninth pick, and desperately wants Texas' Tristan Thompson. The Bobcats believe that Thompson won't get past Detroit with the eighth pick and need the Cavaliers to take him fourth. This way, Valanciunas, who may not be able to join the NBA until the 2012-13 season, would drop to"
Sources: Cavs eye Jonas Valanciunas
June 23
ESPN.com
 
"The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to take Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas with the No. 4 pick even if Kentucky's Enes Kanter is still available, league sources said Thursday morning. Cleveland is still expected to take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick, with Arizona forward Derrick Williams likely to be Minnesota's pick at No. 2. The Utah Jazz are deciding between Kentucky guard Brandon Knight and Kanter, with Kanter the choice anticipated by several general managers who hold subsequent lottery picks."
Sources: Cavs seeking third lottery pick
June 23
ESPN.com
 
"The Cleveland Cavaliers have the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the draft. But will they also snag another lottery pick? Sources say the Cavs have been very actively trying to do just that, with a massive $14.5 million trade exception as the device. The offer? Give us your pick and we'll take back a bad contract into our trade exception, which permits the Cavs to take back salary of more than $14 million. In that scenario, the Sacramento Kings and the Detroit Pistons look like the most intriguing potential partners. Would the Kings be willing to give up the No. 7 pick if the Cavs gave them Ramon Sessions and took back Francisco Garcia? The Kings are already under the salary cap, but Garcia has"
Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams hold court on eve of turning professional
June 23
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"After an hour of interviews and seemingly endless questions about the draft order, post-draft plans and the possibility of a lockout, Duke point guard Kyrie Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams got back to where they're most comfortable -- the basketball court. Irving and Williams, players the Cavaliers are thought to be considering with the No. 1 pick in today's NBA Draft, led a contingent of draft hopefuls onto the courts at John Jay College for a clinic with 60 Special Olympians as part of the NBA Cares Community Caravan. It was hard to tell who enjoyed it more -- the draft hopefuls or the Special Olympians. "Not everybody wants to wear a suit all day," a grinning Williams said."
Cavs intend to use No. 1, No. 4 picks
June 22
ESPN.com
 
"Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant said Wednesday his team intends to use the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks in Thursday night's NBA draft. Grant told ESPN's Jeannine Edwards that he knows whom he wants to select with the top pick but still has to discuss the selection with the rest of the staff. Either Kyrie Irving of Duke or forward Derrick Williams of Arizona is expected to be the top overall selection. If the Cavs do take Irving first, he will be the third point guard in four years to go No. 1, joining John Wall, who went to Washington last year, and Derrick Rose, picked by Chicago in 2008. Grant described Williams as "less polished" than Irving. He said he believes"
Cavaliers, other teams aren't sure what position to take on Derrick Williams
June 22
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Arizona's Derrick Williams raised a few eyebrows at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago last month by stating he could play either forward position. The Cavaliers really aren't sure that's the case, and they have plenty of company. "He doesn't have an established position," ESPN's Jay Bilas said in a conference call with reporters last week. "He's kind of in between a 3 and a 4." Because he is neither a guard nor a big man, Williams is the top wing player in Thursday's NBA Draft. But he is not really a wing, which is too bad since the three teams with the top four picks -- Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah -- could use one. ESPN's Chad Ford thinks that may be one of the reasons Williams insists"
Derrick Williams in unique position in NBA Draft
June 21
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"If the Cavaliers ultimately pass on Derrick Williams as the top pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, it might have more to do with position than anything else. Despite Williams' insistence that he is a small forward who can play a little power forward, the Cavs see him as the exact opposite. Even after a private workout last week when Williams dazzled the Cavs with his athleticism, one league source with knowledge of their draft plans said they still view him first as a power forward. They're obviously still interested, however. The Cavs snuck Williams back into town Monday on what was a big day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. In addition to the surprise trip by Williams, they also brought back"
Derrick Williams in unique position
June 21
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"If the Cavaliers ultimately pass on Derrick Williams as the top pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, it might have more to do with position than anything else. Despite Williams' insistence that he is a small forward who can play a little power forward, the Cavs see him as the exact opposite. Even after a private workout last week when Williams dazzled the Cavs with his athleticism, one league source with knowledge of their draft plans said they still view him first as a power forward. They're obviously still interested, however. The Cavs snuck Williams back into town Monday on what was a big day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. In addition to the surprise trip by Williams, they also brought back"