May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Nerlens Noel is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Before the Cleveland Cavaliers landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, analysts and fans alike had zeroed in on Georgetown small forward Otto Porter as the de facto selection for the Cavaliers. With a huge hole at small forward, the lanky wing seemed like a perfect fit for the Wine and Gold.

But then, for the second time in two years, the Cavaliers had the balls drop in their favor and landed the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. That ball dropping changed everything for the Cavaliers. With a single twist in the plan, the No. 1 pick becomes a hard selection between Porter and Kentucky center Nerlens Noel. Both bring something the Cavaliers are lacking, but for obvious reasons, they are different players.

Otto Porter, small forward, Georgetown

Pros: Porter really would fill a major need at small forward. If he comes in and adjusts quickly, there is no reason that he should be doubted as a key player in the Cavaliers run at a title. Also, he can play defense on the wing, and that’s a skill set the Cavaliers are sorely missing. He’d instantly be a favorite of Mike Brown and would mesh well with Kyrie Irving.

Cons: I’m as high on Porter as anyone, but he realistically isn’t going to be a franchise-defining player. Granted, the Cavaliers don’t need that, but there is a certain gravitas that comes with being a No. 1 overall pick. Porter won’t provide that, and I think Noel, at the very least, has the potential to do that.

Nerlens Noel, center, Kentucky

Pros: Noel is a shot blocker, and that’s a skill no Cavalier has. No Cavalier big man averages more than a block per game, and that has to change if the Cavaliers want to become an elite defensive team. Once healthy, Noel can come in and make an impact right away on the defense end. And with Noel included, there are a lot of fun lineups in play for the Wine and Gold frontcourt.

Cons: Noel is going to miss most of next year due to his ACL injury, and it’ll be his sophomore season when he’s fully ready to return to action. Also, the Cavaliers just spent a first round pick on Tyler Zeller last season and it’s too early to give up on him yet. Drafting Noel would create a logjam at center that would take a lot of time to sort out. If the Cavaliers are serious about making the playoffs next season, they really don’t have time.

The Ruling

The Cavaliers have to take Noel. He’s going to be a better player in the long run than Porter and, once healthy, he’s going to make an instant impact on defense. Also, there are other ways for the Cavaliers to find an adequate small forward. Zeller could be used as a trade chip, while the 19^th pick could also result in a small forward. And when you throw free agency into the mix, it’s pretty clear that Noel has to be the pick. It’s ultimately much harder to find a good shoot blocking center than a do-it-all small forward.

Nov 5, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) at the Staples Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Clippers 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

If I were to tell you that my ideal model for rebuilding that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to follow was a Western Conference playoff team, I’m guessing that my choice wouldn’t immediately jump to the front of your list.

Let’s first take a look at the tea that I assume you would guess first: the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the Thunder, their core was built on drafting in top 10 three years in a row like the Cavaliers are about to do. That core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden took the Thunder to the Finals last season. Even with Harden gone, the Thunder are still a long-term contender out West. They have two stars and a potpourri of solid role players. Decent building model, but not the one I’m looking for.

Next up, I’m assuming you want to take 1-40 East from Oklahoma to Memphis to bring up the Memphis Grizzlies. There you’ll bring up Memphis having a strong rebounding frontcourt (which the Cavaliers have at full strength) and the ability to play as a team in a small market. They’ve also been aggressive in the free agency and trade market to acquire key role players like Tony Allen, which the Cavaliers will and should do. But once again, this isn’t the team I’m looking at. Still a good model, but not exactly what I’d model my team after.

Let’s do a quick run through of the other possible teams. Golden State? Mike Brown coaching ends that speculation. San Antonio? Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters would have to make huge leaps that aren’t realistic in a short amount of time? The Los Angles Clippers? The Clippers – that’s the team I’m talking about.

Wait, you want to build the Cavaliers after the Clippers, the same team that was eliminated the Grizzlies after being up 2-0? Yes. That same Clippers team coached by the dreadful Vinny del Negro? Yes. So those same Clippers who may lose Chris Paul this offseason? Yes, and here’s why.

It starts with the star player on each team. For the Clippers, it’s Paul, and the Cavaliers have Kyrie Irving. Few teams chose to build around their point guards (only the Cavs, Clippers and Bulls currently do it), so it’s slim pickings for a model to follow. But the Clippers stand out to me for this reason – there is real room for improvement. The Bulls, assuming Derrick Rose comes back and isn’t totally psyched out by his knee, are a largely complete team. Neither the Cavaliers or Clippers are complete quite yet. There is a lot to like, but the front offices for both teams haven’t exactly committed to a finite core croup of players. In LA, the Clippers had 11 players that played at one time or another. In Cleveland, as many as 10 Cavaliers could see action on a given night.

The Clippers, just like the Cavaliers have big decisions to make at several positions. For the Clippers, assuming they keep Paul, they will have to decide what they want to do with Eric Bledsoe. For Cleveland, decisions loom on Anderson Varejao’s future, as well as contracts for Thompson and Waiters. Something in both of these situations are going to have to give.

There’s more here to break down, but the point is this: if you want to look at a team to model the Cavaliers after, the team with the most similarities is the Clippers. For reasons good and bad, that’s the team that Cleveland fans should look to as the Cavaliers continue to rebuild themselves. No other team in the association matches up as well. So, with caution, look West Cavalier fans – the Clippers may be your future.

May 13, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) wins a tip against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) to start overtime in game four of the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Memphis defeated Oklahoma 103-97 in overtime and lead the series 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

In this Cavaliers Conversation, host Chris Manning and Right Down Euclid editor Zak Kolesar are back to talk the rebuilding Cavaliers and what model they should  follow. The duo dives into discussing the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and more. Watch the video below and tweet @RDECavaliers, @kolestarz and @cwmwrites with your thoughts.