So, this is it. I’d rally you all with a Braveheart speech or some such, but I’m kind of a fatalist. It’d be a downer, probably. (“I know we are all deeply flawed human beings, alienated from one another, incapable of true empathy, but arbitrarily bound together by this basketball team. I’m not even from Cleveland, by the way…“) But tonight’s the night where the future of our Cleveland Cavaliers is determined to either a large or small extent. Probably large. Big night, in all likelihood. Might not be, though. We could totally look back on this night, and go, “Remember when we were all convinced of how momentous an occasion the 2012 draft was going to be, and then nothing particularly consequential happened?” That would be weird, though. Seems like we’d be saying that sort of thing in a nuclear wasteland wrought from war with a brutally violent alien race. Y’know, after some perspective was gained. It’s hard to care about sports when your entire family has immolated, and you’re drinking irradiated water out of a cup you carved from your dear pet dog Hobbes’s pelvis.
I’m geting off track. This is an important night, probably. So let’s get out there, and KILL SOME ALIENS! draft boldly and intelligently. Not us, of course. Chris Grant is the actor here. We will not participate in the decision-making process at all. We’ll be sitting at home, because none of us are qualified to work in an NBA front office, with our hope and sweaty palms. Maybe a beer. Definitely a beer. (If you’re wondering, had the linked article been mine and not Mallory’s, all the players would have been PBR, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would have been the cheapest bottle of champagne imaginable.)
Anyway, updates: we’ll have them for you here as picks and/or trades are made. Feel free to cheer, argue, yell, pontificate, etc. in the comment section. Enjoy the spectacle, everyone.
UPDATE I: Chris Broussard is reporting the Cavs are offering the Bobcats the fourth, 24th, and 33rd pick in exchange for the second and 31st picks. Most everyone assumes they’re going after Beal.
UPDATE II: The Cavs take Dion Waiters. The world disintegrates like a cookie beneath the rump of a corpulent eight year-old.
UPDATE III: The Cavs traded the 24th and the two second-rounders to Dallas for Tyler Zeller.

Yeah! Draft night!! Arbitrarily bound together!!
KILL SOME ALIENS, CHRIS GRANT!!!
I really feel like the Cavs might be trading down…just a vibe but…
Kj, NO. WE MUST HAVE FAITH!
If the Cavs trade down I will trade down my….liking of …the Cavs.
I’m drinking Old Rasputin from North Coast brewery. How about anyone else?
What does anyone think of Perry Jones’s meniscus issue and the fact that ESPN’s last mock draft had him going to Cleveland at #24? I’m all for MKG and PJ3.
I really think that’s the vibe I’m getting reading the tea leaves. They “don’t like the draft,” the Ross and Waiters workouts/background checks, the unpredictable-ness of the Cavs FO (see pick 4 last year)…it adds up to trading down…
Kevin, I love the idea of MKG and PJ3 myslef. Cleveland couldn’t gets the “Third” guy from Baylor in football, but I really hope they get the other one tonight!
At 34, ESPN has Cleveland taking Kostas Popasoljgalsjoaus. Possible misspelling there, but they compare him to Omri Casspi and draft express lists his best case as the Cavs resident Israeli.
Why would Cleveland draft 22 year old Omri Casspi, when they have 24 year old Omri Casspi…and he’s not very good?
What’s everyone drinking? Anyone take my suggestions?
I left the decision up to my girlfriend. I’ll report back once I begin consuming.
I strongly disagree with a bad team trading down. Because there are only five players on the floor and it’s a star driven league, there is nothing to be gained by getting another body in second round or another marginal vet. Get the best guy you can a four, and if he doesn’t pan out, you try again next year.
Kevin: Nice choice with Old Rasputin. A stout that should be sipped slowly while pondering what trades the Cavs will make on this monumental draft day. I’m currently drinking just a small glass of iced coffee with a dash of Ryan’s (cheap Bailey’s), but I’m headed to the bar in a moment for wings and an IPA. Will report back.
I’m ready to part with Andy. His stock isn’t rising and this draft has quality players throughout the first round.
Rick Bonnell of Char Obsevr is reporting Andy is avalible…FWIW…
Also Broussard reporting that Andy is in p,ay for GS at 7 and Hou at 12…
Guarana Soda Brazilian style, ode to Andy I guess? Love working in a mini ethnic neighborhood. (sadly working the whole duration of the draft).
MKG and PJ3 would be so amazing. Personally, I really want to get Royce White.
I want Royce White, Perry Jones, or Quincy Miller. One of those would make me happy to see develop with the other talent we have.
We’ll see in Andy gets traded. If so, I’m on board for MKG and Waiters!
Ray: I like what i’ve heard about Royce White as well, if he’s available at 24 we should consider taking him. Gottlieb (sp?) had him ranked 5th in his power rankings about a month ago
And Colin, shouldn’t a guy in Chicago be drinking Old Style (not PBR)?
Royce has top talent. He was recruited to play for Kentucky, the best amateur basketball recruitment program there is. Didn’t play because of the plane thing. Listen to Calipari talk about him, and check how he was tearing it up against Kentucky. Trade Varajao for a lottery pick and take him! Then draft and stash Evan Fournier.
Drinking woodchuck cider. But honestly if we pick Barnes I don’t want to hear the woe is me the FO sucks until the all-star break.
I’m like only guy around who didn’t like White. I had him outside the first round.
Im predicting Beal and Barnes. Beal at 2 and 31 for 4, 24, and 34 for 2. Then 31, 33 and Andy at 7 for barnes
The more rookies and sophomores the Cavs start next year, the happier i will be
I really don’t like White at all
Dammit. subway took forever! My running diary will have to not include the first 11 minutes of broadcast. Anyone care to catch me up?
If PJ3 actually falls to 24, I guess you really can’t pass him up. You could say the same for Sullinger.
my cat is named hobbes. pbr reminds me of tucker and dale vs evil. #MKGforCLE
I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN! NOOOOOOOOO
Aight, now things are interesting.
tell me they drafted him for us!!!
There’s no way they drafted him for us. Either they wanted him and there’s no trade…or we thought the Wizards were taking him over Beal (not happening)…
It is what it is…bring on Barnes!
what just happened?!?!
Did MKG refer to himself as Anthony Davis? Is this some Freaky Friday type ish going on?
that wasn’t part of the plan
i make a sad face now…trade coming?
Here comes Dion Waiters!!!
I would absolutely be thrilled if we do barnes @4 and trade up for drummond, honestly…
haha Kevin… if that happens, I think I will explode.
Dion Waiters > Harrsion Barnes
What…the…hell? Couldn’t we have gotten him around the 6-8 range?
BOOOOOMMMM!!!!!
honestly…i’m on board
same draft trajectory as russ westbrook. waiters could be big time.
/agrees with Pete
When you have the opportunity to draft a college bench player, you have to take it.
Wow almost choked o my Pliny did not expect the draft to go this way.
Noooooooooooooooooo! Barnessssssssssssssssssss!
This is insane. NO clue why we wouldn’t take Barnes here over Waiters (I know…different positions…but STILL!)