Cavaliers Pick Tristan Thompson, But May Trade Him In NBA Draft Shakeup

The Cleveland Cavaliers had the 2011 NBA Draft's first surprise, taking Texas forward Tristan Thompson at No. 4 instead of Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas (who went to the Toronto Raptors at No. 5). But rumors immediately spread suggesting that the Cavs could trade Thompson for another player in the draft and an extra asset, potentially Valanciunas himself.

A rumor published by Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday suggested the Cavaliers could be picking Thompson for the Charlotte Bobcats, who would take Valanciunas at No. 9 and trade him and the No. 19 pick for Thompson. But the Detroit Pistons were seen as a potential blockade in that deal; instead, the Raptors may have been.