Areas Of Strength:
The Cavaliers got embarrassed on the scoreboard at various points this season but they never embarrassed themselves as a group. They beat the Lakers, the Knicks and the Heat all in the second half of the season, and went 9-17 after the All-Star break. There are role players but not much of a starting five.

Needs Work:
Everywhere. It's still stunning that losing one guy could send a team from 61 victories down to 19, but losing LeBron James was like taking the hub out of a wheel -- the spokes alone aren't worth much. Defense is the Cavs' greatest need now -- the offense perked up near the end -- but no one uses the No. 1 pick, or maybe even the No. 4, to fix the defense.

Two Stats That Matter:
35.6 -- Points per game from Cavaliers' bench, ranking them 7th in the NBA.

6 -- Forward J.J. Hickson averaged 16.1 points and 11.0 rebounds after Jan. 1, putting him in elite company. Only five others in the NBA -- Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Zach Randolph -- averaged at least 15 and 10 in calendar 2011.

The Way To Go:
It seems a no-brainer that the Cavaliers will grab Duke G Kyrie Irving, who is seen as the this draft's surest bet and a point guard capable of developing into a Chris Paul-type. Coach Bryon Scott has experience with some top point guards -- Paul, Baron Davis and Jason Kidd -- so the fit is a natural. Turkish power forward Enes Kanter would be a clever pick at No. 4.

2010-11 Team Stats:
Offensive: 99.5 (29th)
Defensive: 109.1 (29th)

Under Contract:
G: Baron Davis
G: Daniel Gibson
G: Ramon Sessions
G: Manny Harris
F: Christian Eyenga
F: Joey Graham
F: Luke Harangody
F: Antawn Jamison
F: Samardo Samuels
F: Jawad Williams
F/C: J.J. Hickson
C: Anderson Varejao
C: Semih Erden

Free Agents:
G: Anthony Parker (unrestricted)
F: Alonzo Gee (unrestricted)
F/C: Leon Powe (unrestricted)
C: Ryan Hollins (player option)

-- Steve Aschburner