NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Cleveland Cavaliers finally caught a break after a nightmare 2010-2011 season when they were awarded the number one pick in next month's NBA draft on Tuesday.
In the lottery to decide the order of selection of new talent coming into the league, the Cavaliers finally found a silver lining to a miserable season that saw them finish 19-63 in the aftermath of LeBron James's departure for Miami
They turned a pick they had received in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers into the top choice, despite only a 2.8 percent chance.
"It has been a roller coaster ride," Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert told reporters after sending his 14-year-old son Nick to the stage to represent the franchise during the lottery.
"Obviously shocking events took place last summer. It was a slow, long and painful haul to get through it, and maybe this will be the final straw of getting over the hump and having a lot of hope for the future."
Cleveland will have the top overall choice for the first time since 2003, when they selected James, and are expected to choose Duke's Kyrie Irving or Arizona's Derrick Williams as the new face of their franchise.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished with the NBA's worst record, will pick second followed by the Utah Jazz and a second pick for the Cavs at number four.
Toronto will select number five, Washington number six and Sacramento seventh.
The NBA draft will be held June 23 in Newark, New Jersey.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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