Since 1980, there have been been 24 NBA drafts.  Many players have come and gone during that time span.  And teams have either benefited or drowned in their judgement of talent.  With the addition of LeBron James from last year's draft, the Cavaliers have positioned themselves for success among the NBA's elite.  

This year's draft finds the Cavaliers sitting on the 10th pick.  Cleveland could go in different directions as various teams seem
unsettled in front of them.  The Cavs could go PG, a swing man, or go big. With many variables in front of them, Cleveland's decision will come late June.

The 10th pick has dealt teams good and bad hands alike.  Here's a rundown of the tenth selection since 1980.

1980 - Ronnie Liston; Iowa; Chicago Bulls
1981 - Albert King; Maryland; New Jersey Nets
1982 - Keith Edmondson; Purdue; Atlanta Hawks
1983 - Jeff Malone; Mississippi St; Washington Bullets
1984 - Leon Wood; Cal. St. Fullerton; Philadelphia 76ers
1985 - Ed Pinckney; Villanova; Phoenix Suns
1986 - Johnny Dawkins; Duke; San Antonio Spurs
1987 - Horace Grant; Clemson; Chicago Bulls
1988 - Willie Anderson; Georgia; San Antonio Spurs
1989 - Pooh Richardson; UCLA; Minnesota Timberwolves
1990 - Rumeal Robinson; Michigan; Atlanta Hawks
1991 - Brian Williams; Arizona; Orlando Magic
1992 - Adam Keefe; Stanford; Atlanta Hawks
1993 - Lindsey Hunter; Jackson St.; Detroit Pistons
1994 - Eddie Jones; Temple; LA Lakers
1995 - Kurt Thomas; Texas Christian; Miami Heat
1996 - Errick Dampier; Mississippi St.; Indiana Pacers
1997 - Danny Fortson; Xavier; Milwaukee Bucks
1998 - Paul Pierce; Kansas; Boston Celtics
1999 - Jason Terry; Arizona; Atlanta Hawks
2000 - Keyon Dooling; Mississippi; Orlando Magic
2001 - Joe Johnson; Arkansas; Boston Celtics
2002 - Caron Butler; Connecticut; Miami Heat
2003 - Jarvis Hayes; Georgia; Washington Wizards

Jeff Malone proved to be a very valuable pick in the tenth spot, averaging 19 ppg over his career and being a member of two all-star teams.  Paul Pierce may end up being the best player drafted in the 1998 draft when all is said and done.  So far in his brief 6-year NBA stay, he has averaged 23 ppg and 6.5 assists per contest.  Pierce has already been to three all-stars.

While there is a great advantage of drafting in the first three spots, there is no reason to think the Cavs should not get good value for their pick. Talent evaluation will be key and decision making crucial.  It makes for an interesting NBA draft day come late June.