Fri Jun 20 09:31:05 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Cleveland Cavaliers 2008 Draft Preview

---

(Sports Network) - Superstar LeBron James needs more help if he is going to lead Cleveland back to the top of the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers own the 19th overall pick and should be able to get a player who can compete for playing time.

The 23-year-old James led the Cavaliers in scoring (30.0 ppg) and assists (7.2 apg), while center Zydrunas Ilgauskas averaged a team-best 9.3 rebounds per game. Daniel Gibson, Sasha Pavlovic, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak, Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace and Delonte West make up a decent supporting cast, but the team needs more.

Cleveland acquired Smith, Szczerbiak, Wallace and West in a blockbuster three-team deal with Chicago and Seattle prior to the trade deadline.

The Cavaliers may look to move some players via trade if the deal makes sense. With the 19th selection, they will target the top player left of their board. Cleveland could use another threat from the outside, someone to groom to replace Ilgauskas and a point guard.

A point guard may come by way of trade. Nevada center JaVale McGee, Kosta Koufous of Ohio State and Georgetown's Roy Hibbert are all possibilities for the Cavs in the draft.

2007-08 Results: 45-37, lost to Boston in Eastern Conference semifinals.

Key Player(s): Devin Brown (Guard), Daniel Gibson (Guard), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Center), LeBron James (Forward), Sasha Pavlovic (Guard), Wally Szczerbiak (Forward/Guard), Joe Smith (Forward), Anderson Varejao (Forward), Ben Wallace (Center/Forward), Delonte West (Guard).

Team Needs: Consistent perimeter shooter, point guard and an eventual replacement for Ilgauskas.

Draft picks: 1st round (19th overall).