The Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost 2003 NBA Draft top pick LeBron James to free agency 10 months ago, have won the NBA Draft Lottery to claim the top selection in next month’s draft. With a pick obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers that had only a 2.8 percent chance of landing the top spot, the struggling Cavaliers claimed the top pick and will make their own choice fourth overall.
“I am very excited for the fans of Cleveland, who have been through a very, very rough year,” Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said. “They deserve it more than anybody and they have some good hope now.”
The Cavaliers faded from a 61-21 title contender to a 19-63 season after James, who played seven seasons near his Ohio hometown of Akron, departed for the Miami Heat to unite with fellow stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
