With the fourth pick, the Cavs select Jonas Valanciunas
2011-06-20I think this is another really easy pick if Jonas is on the board. I see Irving as a solid NBA point guard with a high ceiling and a low floor, and I see Valanciunas as a prototype center in today’s NBA. He doesn’t score much in the post or stretch the floor much, but he loves playing defense, is a true 7-footer with athleticism and reach, doesn’t take bad shots, ever, crashes the boards like a wild man, and loves to score garbage buckets and score on pick-and-rolls. That’s Tyson Chandler, that’s Joakim Noah. I LOVE those guys. And the 85% free throw shooting is a huge bonus.
There’s been a lot of talk about the Cavs trying to trade up for Williams, but I think Jonas and Kyrie can give the Cavs a young, effective point guard/center combination with no questions about their “true position” or bad habits they’ll need to get rid of if they want to be effective in the NBA. I’ll take that all day, every day. Maybe I’m just talking myself into things, but I think this is another no-brainer pick.
Mike P: We can’t combine the trade exception with a player.
And now that Valanciunas is going to be in Europe for next season, do we take Kanter? I know they want to trade the pick but it just seems unlikely right now. If I were Chris Grant, I would be working my ass off to get a pick in the 2012 draft instead. Maybe we pick up Kyrie’s boy Harrison Barnes.
With respect to Mike P and J I am going to disagree. Trading away a load of future options for anfew decent right now options is not the right way to move forward. Equally I don’t like Kanter. The only problem with JV is the buyout, but that is a very small worry in reality. I think the fourth pick is great for the cavs. If we can use the TPE and some minor parts to get the second, that would be fine. I just don’t see us shaking everything up to get a “3”, when next year is full… Read more »
I love me some Andy V, but I’d love to see us use some of the exception from Lebron, the #4, & Varejao to go get Ellis, Bierdins, and the #11 from GS. We get a true wing scorer that will help spread the floor, a Center who’s best years were with Baron & could be had for cheap as GS tries to dump salary, and can still grab a defensive minded 3 or 4 in Biyombo or Singleton or grab a big man to develop in Vucevic.
Still got to go with Kanter. btw Any news on either Rudy Gay or Iguadola playing for the cavs next season?
This is not ideal: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/6/20/2233053/nba-draft-2011-jonas-valaciunas-buyout-rumors
If the Cavs were sensible and thinking long-term they’d stilt take him. We’ll see.
I think Kanter and Irving would be an incredible start to the rebuild.
More and more, I believe Jonas has got to be the pick at 4 rather than Kanter.
I’m hoping for this, at least.
At the recent Eurocamp, Valanciunas measured 7′ tall with 7’4″ wingspan and 9’3″ standing reach. All would have been top 2 or 3 at the draft combine. Also he weighed 245 lbs, so it sounds like he may be starting to bulk up a little.
Also, the odds of a long-term lockout next year are high, so what’s the harm in letting him play another season in Europe? At least he’ll be able to play in high-level competitive basketball. In the event of a lockout, Kanter could go two years (!!) between meaningful basketball games.
Have to admit…I’m coming around to Jonas in a big way too. Love what he could be, and also love that the time it takes him to get there may procure us Barnes, Perry Jones, or Michael Gilchrist…
Then, we’re looking as strong as anyone moving forward.
Completely agree with this pick. Got my doubts about Kanter and I can see this guy and Varejao working well together.
Plus if he has to stay in Europe an extra year or two it gives us ample opportunity to draft high next year.
I agree. I definitely see a lot of Tyson Chandler in “Big V”. People’s biggest complaint about him seems to be that he’s skinny. Well… he’s 19 years old and 7 feet tall. What 7 footer wasn’t skinny at that age? Even Shaq was skinny once. Skinny means that he has the potential to be athletic and not struggle with weight problems his whole career. Thank goodness he’s skinny. If we pick him and Kyrie, we start off our rebuilding process with two guys who are young, and who fit the hardest positions to fill. Starting with a true PG… Read more »
Also, I really want them to start calling him “Big V.”
I’d like to see them trade back to seven and get Washington’s other first rounder if possible if they’re taking Valanciunas. I like him a LOT more than Kanter though.