Draft Lottery Impact on LeBron James, Cavs

The Plain Dealer takes a close look at what last night’s events meant not just for the Wizards (who won the lottery), but also for this summer’s biggest free agent, his current squad and one of the potential future destinations: “Depending on perspective, the Cavaliers either dodged a bullet in the LeBron James sweepstakes Tuesday night or there was no impact from a usually distinctive NBA event. The Washington Wizards won the league’s annual Draft Lottery, leaping from the fifth-best chance to get the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in the past 10 years. The Philadelphia 76ers leapt from the sixth position to get the No. 2 overall pick. The New Jersey Nets, which had the best chance to win, got the No. 3 pick. That last fact is one Cavs fans were paying attention to. The Nets are one of the handful of teams James is expected to consider when he becomes a free agent in July. James also has a standing relationship with Kentucky guard John Wall, who is the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick. There was speculation that had the Nets, which had a 25 percent chance of winning, landed the No. 1 pick, it would have increased James’ chances of signing with New Jersey. However, that point of view may have been outdated. A central reason James befriended Wall over the past two years, it is believed, is to recruit him to his agent and his Cleveland-based marketing firm as a package deal. But several weeks ago, Wall passed on signing with James’ groups and instead signed with Los Angeles-based agent Dan Fegan. Either way, the Nets will not be able to get Wall — the Wizards have said they intend to keep the draft pick.”