Cavaliers big winners, selecting first, fourth
One year after defying the odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery, the Wizards returned to their disappointing historic form, dropping to sixth in the 2011 NBA Draft despite owning the fourth-worst record in the league last season.
With last year’s No. 1 overall pick, John Wall, as the team’s representative on the stage at NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, N.J., the Wizards fell for the 11th time in 15 trips to the lottery.
In a draft weakened by the threat of a potential work stoppage once the league’s current labor agreement expires June 30, Washington’s fall increases the likelihood that the rebuilding process set in motion by owner Ted Leonsis could extend through another season.
| 2011 NBA Draft order |
| 1. Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2. Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 3. Utah Jazz |
| 4. Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 5. Toronto Raptors |
| 6. Washington Wizards |
| 7. Sacramento Kings |
| 8. Detroit Pistons |
| 9. Charlotte Bobcats |
| 10. Milwaukee Bucks |
| 11. Golden State Warriors |
| 12. Utah Jazz |
| 13. Phoenix Suns |
| 14. Houston Rockets |
| FIVE TO WATCH |
| Some targeted players may not be around at No. 6, but here is the Wizards’ wish list: |
| 1. Enes Kanter, C, 6-foot-10, Turkey |
| Had he not been ruled ineligible to play for Kentucky last year, Kanter might be far above the rest of this draft class. The versatile big man could complement John Wall, but a lockout and another missed season could hurt his development. |
| 2. Derrick Williams, PF, 6-8, Arizona |
| His rocket-like trajectory this season peaked with a superstar showing in the NCAAs (32 points, 13 rebounds vs. Duke). Strong, efficient and explosive inside and a great shooter from the outside for his size. Slightly undersized. |
| 3. Jonas Valanciunas, C, 6-11, Lithuania |
| He’s got the size, wingspan, basketball IQ and desire to play inside but not the frame at a skinny 230-240 pounds. He’ll require a buyout to get him over to this side of the Atlantic, but the upside could be worth it. |
| 4. Kawhi Leonard, SF, 6-7, San Diego St. |
| If the Wizards are looking for rebounding and defense, Leonard may be the answer, especially in a draft full of role players, not future All-Stars. One scout described him as Ron Artest without the mental problems. |
| 5. Jan Vesely, SF, 6-11, Czech Republic |
| Burst onto the scene with his performance in Europe last year before backing out of the draft and remaining with Partizan Belgrade. He has tons of athleticism and is known for his ability to finish at the rim. |
“We only dropped two spots, so it doesn’t make a world of difference,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a phone interview from New Jersey afterward. “We’re going to do our preparation the same way. The teams that are in front of us will determine who we pick.”
Cleveland, fresh off losing LeBron James to free agency last summer, won the evening in a landslide. With 14-year-old Nick Gilbert, the son of team owner Dan Gilbert, on stage, the Cavaliers claimed the lottery’s top prize with a pick obtained in a midseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. That selection had the eighth-best odds of landing in the top spot.
Duke point guard Kyrie Irving, who was in attendance, is the overwhelming favorite to become the first piece of the post-James era in Cleveland. But he won’t be alone since the Cavaliers, who had the second-best odds of winning the lottery with their own pick, also will choose fourth overall on June 23.
The Utah Jazz were the lottery’s second-biggest movers, jumping from sixth to third with a pick acquired in a midseason trade with New Jersey for Deron Williams.
The Wizards have picked sixth overall four times in franchise history, selecting Jerry Sloan in 1965, Mel Turpin in 1984, Tom Gugliotta in 1992 and Calbert Cheaney in 1993.
Washington also holds the 18th overall pick — acquired in the trade that sent Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to Atlanta for Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and Mike Bibby — and the fourth pick in the second round (34th overall).
Wall said last week that he would try to get the yellow jacket worn by Irene Pollin at last year’s lottery, but he instead brought his mother along as a good-luck charm. Meanwhile, Grunfeld tried to recreate last year’s experience.
“I did the same thing as last year,” Grunfeld said. “But I guess all the luck went into getting John.”
