DeJuan Blair 10 seconds away from being a Cavalier
November, 5, 2009
Nov 5
12:33
PM ET
By Chris Broussard
I reported this on my NBA 411 segment on "Mike and Mike in the Morning'' today: According to information gathered from multiple league executives, DeJuan Blair was 10 seconds away from joining "King James'' and "The Big Shaquisition'' in Cleveland.
On draft night 2009, Cleveland offered Denver $2 million for the 34th pick. Cavs GM Danny Ferry thought it was essentially a done deal and had fingered Blair as the pick.
But with just 10 seconds left to make its selection, Denver was offered $2.25 million, a league record for the sale of a 34th pick, from the Houston Rockets. Because there was such a small amount of time left to make the pick, the Nuggets didn't have a chance to give Cleveland the opportunity to beat Houston's offer.
So the Rockets got the pick and instructed Denver to select Sergio Llull for them. Three picks later, San Antonio took Blair.
Of course, Cleveland could have gotten Blair at 30, but it took Christian Eyenga instead.
I reported this on my NBA 411 segment on "Mike and Mike in the Morning'' today: According to information gathered from multiple league executives, DeJuan Blair was 10 seconds away from joining "King James'' and "The Big Shaquisition'' in Cleveland.
On draft night 2009, Cleveland offered Denver $2 million for the 34th pick. Cavs GM Danny Ferry thought it was essentially a done deal and had fingered Blair as the pick.
But with just 10 seconds left to make its selection, Denver was offered $2.25 million, a league record for the sale of a 34th pick, from the Houston Rockets. Because there was such a small amount of time left to make the pick, the Nuggets didn't have a chance to give Cleveland the opportunity to beat Houston's offer.
So the Rockets got the pick and instructed Denver to select Sergio Llull for them. Three picks later, San Antonio took Blair.
Of course, Cleveland could have gotten Blair at 30, but it took Christian Eyenga instead.
ESPN The Magazine Senior Writer Chris Broussard
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