Some Pre-Draft Thoughts That Will Definitely Change

I hope all Cavaliers fans are as excited for Thursday's draft as I am. I cannot wait, it's going to be so fun. As we approach draft night, there are countless rumors flying around about who the Cavs will pick or trade for and it is relatively impossible to determine what is true. 

Since virtually everybody is merely speculating, I figured I would get in on the act. Bear with me while I toss around some ideas and feel free to comment on them and give your own opinion. Here we go. 

• I think the Cavaliers will be making a big mistake if they don't take Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick. This may seem fairly obvious, but I have seen plenty of people who continue to suggest the possibility of taking Derrick Williams first and then grabbing Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker at number four. First of all, I'm not sold on Williams and Kyrie Irving has better star potential as well as being the safer pick. Secondly, Brandon Knight would probably be taken by the Utah Jazz at #3 in this situation, leaving the Cavs with Kemba Walker. Kemba Walker is one of my least favorite players in the top of the lottery and I don't think he is going to a very good point guard. Make the smart pick, Cleveland. Draft Kyrie Irving. 
• I am very interested to see what the Cavs do with the #4 pick. If they decide to keep it, they should draft Jonas Valanciunas. I know that his buyout has become tricky and he wouldn't be able to come over until next year, but I don't care. Actually, I think it works better this way. If he is, in fact, the player that the Cavs like the most at #4, they will have the ability to stash him in Europe for a year while he continues to develop. Jonas is only 19 and has a lot of work to do. Staying an extra year in Europe would allow him to do so. Furthermore, the Cavs are better off flat out sucking again this year in order to get a top 5 lottery pick in next year's draft. The 2012 draft is STACKED and they would be wise to make sure they have a pick to grab a talented wing player next year such as Austin Rivers or Harrison Barnes. If Valanciunas is their guy, this shouldn't bother them. Take him regardless. 
• Will the Cavs use their Traded Player Exception? The draft seems like the best opportunity for Cleveland to acquire either more picks or a young veteran for the squad. Names like Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, and Rudy Gay are constantly tossed around in these conversations, but I have no idea. I would prefer that they try to get an unprotected pick for next year's draft. I don't think any of those players fit well on a rebuilding team.