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Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking their last 6 NBA Draft Lottery picks

By Tony Pesta

INDEPENDENCE, OH - JUNE 24: Kyrie Irving #15 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait at Cleveland Clinic Courts on June 24, 2011 in Independence Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NBAE/Getty Images)
INDEPENDENCE, OH - JUNE 24: Kyrie Irving #15 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait at Cleveland Clinic Courts on June 24, 2011 in Independence Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NBAE/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Dion Waiters

2012 NBA Draft (No. 4 overall)

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Dion Waiters with hopes that he would transform into the ideal backcourt partner for Kyrie Irving. Unfortunately, it only took a few seasons for this duo to fall apart and eventually end with Waiters being traded away.

Dion had a bad case of being overly confident. There’s nothing wrong with having confidence; in fact, it’s actually a very important trait to have in the NBA. However, Waiters often played outside of his comfort zone and attempted to force the action. This resulted in a number of boneheaded turnovers and ill-advised shots.

Waiters certainly had talent. He had a silky smooth jump shot and could score in a hurry when he got hot. In his first two seasons with the Cavs, he had three games in which he scored 30 or more points.

The problem began when LeBron James returned to Cleveland and Waiters refused to accept a decreased role. He believed that he deserved a bigger role within the team. It only took about half of the season before Waiters was traded away.

For his Cleveland career, Waiters averaged 14.3 points per game and was a member of the 2012-13 All-Rookie First Team. He had some memorable moments with the franchise and has since turned into a solid starter for the Miami Heat.

Looking back at this selection, it is very sad that the Cavaliers missed their chance of drafting Damian Lillard and giving Irving a true star as a backcourt companion. This was definitely a missed opportunity.

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