The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to pick Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas with the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft whether Turkish center Enes Kanter is on the board or not, reports ESPN's Ric Bucher.
NBA Draft Rumors: Cavaliers Set On Jonas Valanciunas At No. 4
The Cavaliers met with Valanciunas in Cleveland on Tuesday, DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony reported Thursday. That meeting may have convinced Cavs brass that even if Valanciunas has to remain with his Lithuanian club Lietuvo Rytas for the 2011-12, as expected, he’d be worth such a high pick.
Kanter is considered in play at No. 3 with the Utah Jazz, and the Washington Wizards (who have the No. 6 pick) are considered seriously interested in the big Turk. The Cavaliers have also been rumored to be interested in picking up a third lottery pick. That could be to ensure the team, which finished with the league's second-worst record last season, adds two potential impact rookies next year despite taking Valanciunas at No. 4. The Cavs expect to take Kyrie Irving at No. 1.
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