That’s right, Cavs’ fans, it’s official. The Cavs and the 76ers have been reportedly discussing a deal that would involve Andre Miller and Drew Gooden as the principles. The interesting piece to this potential deal is the constant scuttlebut that the Cavs and Sixers aren’t good trading partners. That may be true, but if there’s one thing I can guarantee you, that won’t stop a deal from happening.
Reportedly, the deal being discussed was Andre Miller and Reggie Evans for Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Ira Newble. Draft picks were also bantered about in the discussions, although nothing serious. It’s believed that Ed Stefanski is in the beginning stages of looking at potential deals, but does appear to be searching for a way to get further under the cap. According to Stefanski, the Sixers will only be $6 million under the cap. It’s not a bad figure, but for a team rebuilding, it’s nowhere near enough.
Miller may never be in a more tradable position. He is playing at a high level right now, and has Cavs’ roots. For as well as he’s playing, Miller isn’t a name that will be flashing in neon signs in many GM’s eyes. Danny Ferry, on the other hand, must have Miller at the top of his list. The Sixers have the upper hand with this deal because of the high need for point guards across the league. Still, the Cavs do have something the Sixers want. And I just want to get this off my chest, Andre Miller is good, but he’s not as good as the Philly media has been making him out to be. I read somewhere ripping into Drew Gooden for playing for three teams in his years of playing. No offense, but Andre Miller has rolled with four teams. There’s a reason for that. We aren’t talking about a game-changing player here, but a role player. Granted, he’s a role player that will give you 14 and 7 a game, but let’s not confuse Miller as a gamebreaker, or an all-star. In the land of supply-and-demand, he has good value, but let’s not overvalue him.
Reggie Evans is the perfect forward for the Cavs. Why? He’s not Drew Gooden. Let’s put it this way. With Reggie Evans, you pretty much know what you are going to get game in and game out. He’s going to give you 5 or so points per game, and 7 or so rebounds. He’ll have an occasional bigger night, but that’s more the exception than the rule.
We all know that Ira Newble is a throw in as an expiring contract, and Cedric Simmons is a guy the Sixers have been interested in for awhile. If Simmons doesn’t work out, he’s only 1.6 million on the books for another year.
Drew Gooden is the key to this deal. I don’t like Gooden as a player, because he leaves too much on the table. Sure, he’ll give you 13 points, and 9 boards a game, which is solid NBA output, but you know within all of that is a guy who could go 18 and 12 a game. Maybe it’s the offense, or maybe it’s the player, but either way, it’s time for Drew to go. At only 26, the Sixers would be getting a young player with good experience and upside, to go along the #’s every game. No, he’s not Karl Malone, or even LIAR LOOZER, but he’s a solid #4, which the Sixers are wanting. He also has a cap friendly contract. As far as returns go for Miller, Gooden would be a good get.
The Cavs, hopefully, are focusing on Miller, and not dealing Hughes. I’m sorry, but it’s a pipedream that anyone is going to take on Larry Hughes’ contract. Hughes has to prove that he’s a viable player, and right now, he’s not. It’s too bad they couldn’t drop him at the end of the season, like in the NFL, and get rid of some of the cap hit. If they DO deal Hughes, unless they get a group of lepers in returns, Danny Ferry should be named GM of the Decade.
I have a feeling that we are a long way from seeing anything happen, but it should be an interesting run.
Apologies go out to the lepers. No offense meant. I’m sure you all could play a lot better than Hughes.
http://mvn.com/nba-cavaliers/2007/1...elphia-76ers-confirmed-to-be-discussing-deal/
... I mean if we were to acquire another big man with Gooden leaving I'd like him to be some what skilled on the offensive end because with Ilgauskas sitting out for around 15-20 minutes a game we need another post presence, or something that resembles one, out there...
