NBA Draft 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Pipe Dreams

So the Miami Heat and LeBron James have lost the NBA Finals. All of Cleveland rightfully rejoiced as the Mavericks won the title and kept the King ring-less for at least one more season.

We can all revel in LeBron's disappearing act. We can bristle and chide at his post-game remarks. But in the end, isn't he kind of right? We can enjoy the Heat's loss for a little while, but we will need to move on eventually.

And there's no better time than the present! The NBA Draft is just a little over a week away and the Cavs hold two picks in the top four. Time for us to avert our focus onto the team that we actually have instead of the guy who left.

Some quick perspective on what I'm about to share. My current occupation is as a late night high school custodian while I work on my graduate degree. I would love to say that I'm greatest janitor in the world (which is probably true), but saying you're a great janitor is like saying that an ugly girl has a wonderful personality. It's nice and all...but who really cares?

I tell you this because I have probably the most mindless job there is in the world. This allows my mind to run to free as my hands sweep floors and swab toilets. My favorite "dream" job (and I don't think I'm alone on this...at least I hope not) is to play general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Many a night have I rebuilt this ruined franchise into an NBA dynasty.

So indulge me as we delve into a pipe dream trade scenario for the Cavs draft...

(For the record, lest you take me too seriously, this is mostly just for fun and meant to be a little lighthearted and thought-provoking. And while these trades aren't beyond the realm of absolute possibility, in no way do I think this will actually happen. But it'd be cool if it did.)

For starters, this draft is nothing special. Having the first and fourth picks is by no means a guarantee that you'll even get two starters. I think the Cavs should be looking to trade the picks if at all possible to get maximum quality.

So, being the G.M. of the Cavs, that's what I'm going to do. We'll start with the first pick.

Cavs trade pick No. 1 (Kyrie Irving) and J.J. Hickson to the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis. (Made possible by the LeBron trade exception.)

The Warriors need to move either Ellis or Steph Curry. Getting Irving would give them a point guard and allow Curry to play off the ball more. They would also love to add Hickson and pair him with David Lee in the post.

For the Cavs, this is a slam dunk. Irving is not considered by anyone to be a future All-Star PG, and Hickson, though he's shown flashes of potential, has been largely inconsistent. Fans may not like to see him go, but he's very replaceable.

Ellis is one the elite scoring guards in the league, and has steadily improved every year throughout his career. He turns 26 years old just before the season starts, and hasn't even reached his prime yet. His talents have been mostly hidden playing for Golden State. He would be a much higher profile player if he were playing in LA, Chicago, or New York.

The NBA is built on stars and scorers, neither of which the Cavs had last year. Ellis would fill both of those needs. He's the kind of player who can get you a bucket whenever you need it.

For the nay-sayers...the rule of thumb is that one great player is always better than two good players.

This deal is done a day or two before the draft. Then this is what plays out...

Minnesota decides that they want Enes Kanter and take him No. 2. Then Utah, who is sold on Brandon Knight, takes the PG at No. 3 (I really have no idea why this is, but it seems to be the worst kept secret in the league if you believe the people who are in the know. Evidently he's the only guy they're seriously considering. Whatever.).

That leaves Derrick Williams available at No. 4 when the Cavs come up to pick again. We are more than willing to take the versatile forward until the phone rings and it's Memphis on the other line.

The Cavs trade pick No. 4 (Williams), Antawn Jamison, and Ramon Sessions to the Grizzlies for Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.

Memphis has been claiming for a month now that they are not going to trade Gay, even though their team identity seemed to be established without him during their deep playoff run. However, CBA talks have slightly swayed their resolve, as has the need to resign Marc Gasol. When Williams is still on the board, they jump at the opportunity to drop Gay's contract for a younger option.

The Cavs once again jump at the deal, and even agree to pay out Jamison's last year on his contract so that he can be bought out.

Sessions gives the Grizz a needed backup PG option as well as a scorer off the bench. The only reason Mayo gets included in the deal is to make the financials work (which they don't exactly, but I'm sure we could work a little magic and get it through or something right? Nothing is perfect in a dream after all, Inception taught us that), and Memphis sees Sessions as a better option for their team.

This would give the Cavs another couple scoring wing players. But Gay isn't just a scorer. Before he was injured last year he had showed great improvements in all aspects of his game, particularly on the defensive end.

But how would he pair up with Ellis on offense?

Ellis is a player who typically makes his plays with the ball in his hands, while Gay often plays off the ball (something he got a lot better at this past year). They would actually mesh very well. Gay is a very unselfish player who can do many other things than just score. Ellis is a scorer. But he's not a ball hog as he is sometimes made out to be. He's just a guy who is relied upon to make plays with the ball in his hands—which he does very well.

The Cavs prospective starting lineup would be:
PG Daniel Gibson
SG Monta Ellis
SF Rudy Gay
PF Samardo Samuels
C Anderson Varejao
Bench: Baron Davis, O.J. Mayo, Christian Eyenga, Manny Harris, Luke Harangody, and Semih Erden

That's a team that could do some damage in the Eastern Conference. A very nice balance of both scoring and defense/rebounding.

Gibson starts at point because he is the best shooter on the team, a leader, and also a guy who doesn't need to be a scorer. He could facilitate the offense, space the floor, and shoot when needed.

The idea of a Samuels/Varejao front court is a lot of fun. They will work very well together in the future.

I don't know that the bench's calling card will be defense... but they sure as heck will be able to score!

With Ellis and Gay, the team is young and dynamic and ready to be a force in the East. We will make the playoffs next year and be contending for the Finals in only a year or two.

Until...

Snap back to reality, Oh, there goes gravity, Oh, there goes Rabbit, he choked, He's so mad, but he won't give up that easy, no, he won't have it...

Sorry... lost myself there for a second.

Back in the world of real life, we know that these deals have only about a 0.000228 percent chance of actually happening. Memphis isn't going to trade Gay, and it would probably take more than that to get Ellis.

So what's the point? Why did I spend the last hour dreaming up an impossible trade scenario?

Because as Cleveland fans, that's what we should all be doing. Dare to dream of better days. All three teams have only brighter futures ahead of them. And it very conceivable that a championship isn't that far off for this city.

So stop worrying about other players and other teams in other cities and what stupid crap LeBron says about karma and the big guy upstairs.

The time to focus our energy and passion on our own teams NOW! This is a great city with great fans. Let's show the sporting world that we support the Cavs, Browns, and Indians with as much fervor as we hated LeBron.

Dare to dream big. Because dreams do come true.

Believeland.

You can follow me on Twitter @ClevelandFlack