Tuesday, May 17, 2011
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
Photo by Heather Meadows
SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Cleveland Cavaliers got a huge jump on their post-LeBron James rebuilding process Tuesday night, winning the lottery and the No. 1 selection in next month's NBA draft.
Turning a pick they acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers into the No. 1 selection, the Cavs will pick first for the first time since 2003, when they drafted James out of high school.
He left for Miami last summer and the Cavs tumbled to the second-worst record in the league, but they will have two top-four picks next month as they try to back owner Dan Gilbert's boast that they would win a title before James. They already had their own pick and acquired another at the trade deadline from the Clippers in the Baron Davis deal.
Gilbert sent his son, 14-year-old Nick Gilbert, to the podium and the kid came up with a stunning victory, as the Clippers' pick, originally No. 8, had only a 2.8 percent chance of landing at the top.
Minnesota will select second and Utah turned New Jersey's pick from the Deron Williams trade into the No. 3 selection.
More like this story
- Bobcats hope draft lottery answers a cry for help ( May 29, 2012 )
- Cavs take Irving No. 1 in NBA draft ( June 23, 2011 )
- LeBron James headed to Miami ( July 8, 2010 )
- Cavs beat Hawks for 60th victory ( April 2, 2010 )
- Norcross grad Meeks part of wild NBA trade deadline ( February 18, 2010 )
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