There are indications the Cleveland Cavaliers could pull a shocker and take Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports SI.com's Sam Amick. The Cavaliers are strongly believed to be interested in a big man at No. 4 given the high likelihood the team makes Duke point guard the No. 1 overall pick, but Thompson isn't usually among the options mentioned.
Amick reports that the Cavaliers like Turkish center Enes Kanter at No. 4, but there are indications the Minnesota Timberwolves or Utah Jazz could take Kanter ahead of Cleveland's second pick. Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas is regularly mentioned as a potential Cavaliers pick, but that changed recently when terms of the big man's buyout made it clear he wouldn't be in the NBA next season.
Thompson, who spent one season at Texas before declaring for the draft, is more frequently seen falling to the late lottery or even late teens in the first round. He's considered a top defensive prospect with very strong foul-drawing abilities, but an otherwise raw offensive game.
For more on the Cavs' draft plans, visit Fear The Sword and SB Nation Cleveland.