The consensus among NBA teams is that Cleveland will select Duke freshman guard Kyrie Irvingwith the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s draft.
But the Cavaliers aren’t acting as if they’ve made a decision, and according to multiple sources, they are actively discussing a number of possibilities. They likely will go with Irving, but there are scenarios in which they might not.
The Cavaliers haven’t told Irving that he is the No. 1 pick, and Arizona’s Derrick Williams is a legitimate contender for the top spot.
Cleveland, which also holds the No. 4 overall pick, will bring in Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight for a visit early this week. Former Kentucky student Enes Kanter of Turkey, who was ruled by the NCAA to be permanently ineligible with the school, will return for a second visit.
Should the Cavaliers decide to pick Williams, a forward, and Kanter, a center, it would put pressure on the team to find another point guard, possibly in this draft, even with Baron Davisstill under contract.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, won’t let Williams or Irving slip beyond No. 2. Sources with knowledge of the situation say that if the Cavaliers pick Irving at No. 1, the Timberwolves will take Williams at No. 2, and don’t plan on trading Michael Beasley or Anthony Randolph.
If the Cavs were to select Williams, the Timberwolves would take Irving at No. 2, even with the impending arrival of Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. The Timberwolves would hold onto the Irving asset and likely command a number of suitors. Reserve point guard Jonny Flynn then would be on the trade block.
With Irving and Williams going 1-2 in some order, that leaves Utah at No. 3, with a decision between Knight and Kanter. The Jazz worked out Knight solo on Thursday and were impressed with his effort, even without competition.
Knight passed on working out Wednesday with Connecticut’s Kemba Walker and BYU’s Jimmer Fredette. Fredette is in play for the Jazz at No. 12 if they were to select Kanter at No. 3.
Via Andy Katz is a senior college basketball writer for ESPN.com.
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