Former Syracuse guards Dion Waiters heard his name called earlier than expected last night. He doesn’t seem too upset about it.
In a draft that was as uneventful as any in recent memory, the only real surprise of the night was colored orange.
Anthony Davis went first overall as expected and although not many expected Davis’ UK teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to go at #2, it wasn’t a total shock. Even the players who suffered through hear-wrenching draft stock drops, Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones III weren’t without explanation (both were injury concerns). But I don’t think anyone at all expected Dion Waiters to be selected 4th overall. He’s headed to Cleveland to team up with reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving while a pair of former Orange are hooking up again in the League.
Player: Dion Waiters
Pick/Team: 4/Cleveland Cavaliers
Analysis: I think everyone, except for maybe Dion and the Cavs, was shocked that Waiters was taken so early. We all know he has talent and potential in equal measure. We all know that he made an uncanny rise from late-first round prospect to possible lottery pick. Yet most had him topping out at 8th overall. So, how did he end up being the pick at four?
For one, the Cavs couldn’t trade up to get the two-guard they wanted. It was all over the draft that they were looking to either trade up to the second spot or work out deal where the Charlotte Bobcats would pick Bradley Beal and trade him to Cleveland. That didn’t work out and when Beal went 3rd to Washington, the Cavs were left with Plan B. So that rules out Cleveland being the team that supposedly promised Dion he would be a lottery pick. It’s that same promise that likely made him Dan Gilbert’s backup plan, even if he’s not the one that issued it. Whether or not that rumor was true, the fact that it was widely believed had to make GMs think hard about Dion. In the end, it was enough to convince the Cavs brass that Dion was a better prospect than guys like Austin Rivers, Terrence Ross and Jeremy Lamb, all of whom were rated higher as SG prospects for most of the time leading up to the draft. I still think 4th overall is a bit of a reach. But knowing that he was Plan B is bound to give Dion a small-ish chip on his shoulder, and he plays his best when proving doubters wrong.
As for the fit in Cleveland, the Cavs needed scoring and they’re getting it in Waiters. When Boobie Gibson is getting significant burn at SG, it’s plain to see where the holes in the roster are. Going to Cleveland means that Dion will also likely be in a position to start right away. If he pans out, Dion and Kyrie Irving could form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA for the next decade or so. Plus, playing with a top PG like Irving means Dion can focus on scoring, which I think will help his transition. At the same time, Irving can score himself, so Dion won’t be under as much pressure to put up a ton of points right. It also helps that the Cavs aren’t expected to win right away.
Grade: B+ Continue reading
Bleeding Orange 