2011 NBA Draft: Kanter Back in Cleveland, Valanciunas Still High on Draft Board

The Cleveland Cavaliers managed to get Turkish center Enes Kanter back in Independence for a second workout, but is this anything beyond a smokescreen?

Kanter’s agent Max Ergul tells the media that he is led to believe Cleveland is interested in his client with the first-overall selection in Thursday’s draft. A second workout undoubtedly shows that the team has interest in a player, but whether or not said interest could be anything beyond interest in a trade chip is the point of contention.

As WFNY has said repetedly over the course of the last month, the seven-foot Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas continues to be in the talks with the team’s fourth-overall selection and is allegedly higher on the team’s board than one Enes Kanter.  A league source tells WFNY that the Cavaliers feel that given the way the current draft board is set up that they could land Valanciunas anywhere between the fourth-overall and seventh-overall selection in the draft.  If a team is high on Kanter, as the Washington Wizards are, a trade could make sense for them to move up and select the bruising big man with the Cavs moving down to sixth-overall and adding additional assets.

The team quietly mentions the successes of the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has built their present status of contender via the draft and trade markets.  While team owner Dan Gilbert had aspirations of a Detroit Pistons-like franchise that could play well as a team, the tides have turned to that of the Thunder and/or San Antonio Spurs.  Realizing that making the playoffs in 2012 could be a detriment to the long-term sustainability of the Cavaliers’ contention, drafting for the future (higher ceilings) is an integral step in achieving said success.

At 19-years of age, Valanciunas brings a raw offensive game with a ceiling well beyond that of the popular Kanter.  Without YouTube on his side, most only see the bevy of dunks and lay-ins that the Lithuanian big man has provided Lietuvos Rytas.  Those that turn to box scores will not be impressed as his 7.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game will not turn heads.

What many have failed to realize is the fact that Lietuvos Rytas has only required 15 minutes per game of their young (he just turned 19, for what it is worth), talented center, forcing him to be immensely efficient only to averaged “7 and 5.”  His field goal percentage (71 percent from the floor) was tops in all of the Euroleague and his 88 percent from the free throw line will remind many of another Lithuanian big man who had a knack for the charity stripe.

ESPN’s John Hollinger has a formula that translates European numbers into more NBA-like counterparts adjusting for pace of play.  Using Valanciunas’ numbers in what was his age-18 season, and the center averaged the following per-36 minutes: 13.5 points on 62.3 percent shooting and 15.9 rebounds. Valanciunas’ penchant for rebounds – especially on the offensive end – is key in what Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott asks of his centers.  His great hands skill set in the pick-and-roll is an added bonus.

Unlike Kanter, Valanciunas does not presently possess a strong back-to-the-basket game.  His lack of size, despite weighing 245 pounds, will not currently allow him to successfully body up on a stronger opponent; think early career Tyson Chandler. And also unlike Kanter, Valanciunas is at least a season away from making an impact in the NBA.  The last point is not necessarily a bad thing as he is still under contract with Lietuvos Rytas and has a place to play and develop in the event of an NBA lockout. Kanter would be forced to sit out his second-straight season of competitive basketball.

ESPN’s Chad ford cites several NBA sources who say that Valanciunas has the potential to be the best player selected in this draft, but he remains several years away. As has been documented, Valanciunas’ contract with Lietuvos Rytas does not contain an NBA buyout and is inked for the next two seasons.  Thankfully for the Cavaliers, the team is not in the best shape finanacially and could benefit from any funds received from the player or the team which drafts him. 

Earlier today, Craig penned a piece on Cavaliers GM Chris Grant and how much of the pre-draft debate among Cavs fans roots in their uncertainty in the man who will be making the decisions on draft night.  Not helping matters is the reluctance of Grant to tip his hand with regard to any of the team’s moves, something that all fans should be thankful for given the lack of reward for doing such.  As a league executive told WFNY this past weekend, even if this draft did include LeBron James, Grant would not have signaled one way or another with the first selection.

Given all of the uncertainty surrounding contract negotiations, health and upside, it is in the best interest of anyone with occupational or emotional ties to the Cavaliers that everyone waits for the unfolding to take place in approximately 72 hours.