NBA Draft 2012: Did the Cavs Make the Right Decision with Dion Waiters?

The Cleveland Cavaliers just selected Dion Waiters with the fourth overall pick to fortify their backcourt. However, in order to do so, they passed on higher-rated players Thomas Robinson and Harrison Barnes. Both Robinson and Barnes were graded as top flight prospects by most draft experts, while Waiters was closer to the bottom of the top 10.

Waiters is an ultra attacking guard who should form a nice combination with Kyrie Irving—that style of play should lead to an increase of points in the paint. Even with his unquestioned talent, Barnes and Robinson seem like better fits for a team with needs at several positions.

Thomas Robinson is one of the more NBA-ready players in the draft, but the Cavs took Tristan Thompson at the fourth pick in last year's draft, and Robinson seemed like a tough fit for the team—although his superior talent forced the Cavs to take a serious look at him.

Harrison Barnes seemed like the pick, and the Cavs surely could have used his shooting ability from the perimeter. Barnes has the potential to become a multi-year All-Star if he could focus more on rounding out his game to include a reliable low-post game.

In the end, Waiters will be a good NBA player, but it seems like a reach in the top five of the draft. In my opinion, Waiters will be good but not great in the NBA, and the Cavs will regret not taking Harrison Barnes or Thomas Robinson with their pick.