2 Possible Options for a C/PF

[NarlCavs]

There could be a chance to acquire a pretty good option at PF/C with the new amnesty clause in the new CBA that allows teams to dump 1 bad contract. In the recent ESPN magazine 2 names that are listed among the possibilities to get dropped by their current teams are Raef LaFrentz and Brian Grant. I think either would be a good pickup for the Cavs and could provide things they need upfront.

LaFrentz is a good shooter with 3 point range who is also a solid rebounder and shotblocker. He would improve the Cavs shooting and can play both C and PF. He's not worth the money he's making now but at $3 million or so is a nice fit.

Grant would provide a tough veteran who rebounds well and plays solid D. He's had some injury problems recently but wouldn't have to play heavy minutes here. He also can play both PF and C.

These 2 would be better than any other option that's currently available as an unrestricted FA--if they do end up being let go.

The Cavs might keep some of their cap space available until late in the offseason to wait and see if veteran players like these do get dropped so they have a chance to make a run at one of them.

 

[E-Light]

Only problem is these guys prob. wouldn't get released for months still. We'll be over the cap then, and only have the vet. min. to offer. We won't be able to out bid other teams. hopefully we'll be an even more enticing team in a couple months.

 

[Karma]

Good thinking Narl. It would be quite ironic is we sign Grant for a very small contract after he knocked back a virtual maximum deal to come here as a free agent when he signed in Miami.

Both guys would certainly boost this team.

 

[King]

Both are good options. But if all the available backup C's start getting snatched up by teams before those players are released im not sure I want to wait for them. Id hate to wait for those two while all the FA's get signed and not even end up getting Grant or Lafrentz.

They would probably two of our best options though. I like Raef's shooting and Grant's toughness. Both can bring things we need to the table.

 

[Glen Infante]

I would look at Grant moreso than Raef Lafrentz. Brian is physically tougher than Raef is and is pretty much what we need in a back up big man.

I think Lafrentz is rather soft, and he plays too much around the perimiter. He is pretty much a duplicate of Z, but far less talented. I wouldn't be complaining if we did get him though, productive 7 footers are hard to find.

 

[Pioneer10]

I watched Grant last year and he didn't look like he had muc left in the tank. I'd rather bring back Tractor or somebody like Dale Davis then Grant.

 

[Dirk Gently]

E-light, from what i understand, we wouldn't need to outbid other teams for the players that are cut. They are still getting paid from their previous team. Anything the cavs pay them is deducted from that, so the player still makes the same ammount of money. The cavs could pay league or vet minimum and the player would still make as much as if the cavs paid their entire salary. Theres not going to be any real bidding wars for any of these one-time-cut players. In theory, the Cavs could really stock up when they are cut. It's all up to the player where they want to play. If any of the cap causalties wants to play on the cavs, they'll probably have a spot available to them.

 

[Troy Wingate]

I'd defintely go for Brian Grant before Raef, just because of what everyone else is saying, his physical presence under the basket.

 

[E-Light]

E-light, from what i understand, we wouldn't need to outbid other teams for the players that are cut. They are still getting paid from their previous team. Anything the cavs pay them is deducted from that, so the player still makes the same ammount of money. The cavs could pay league or vet minimum and the player would still make as much as if the cavs paid their entire salary. Theres not going to be any real bidding wars for any of these one-time-cut players. In theory, the Cavs could really stock up when they are cut. It's all up to the player where they want to play. If any of the cap causalties wants to play on the cavs, they'll probably have a spot available to them.

Lets assume you're correct. My point still stands. We aren't going to be able to outbid teams. The free agent will have to want to come here. I hoped we'd be an enticing enough team after free agency is over to be able to reel em in. We'll see.

 

[Dirk Gently]

Right, my point is that there will really be no bidding wars. So a player can choose to play with Lebron, Z an Hughs and maybe see siginificant pt here, or maybe not. The players essentially will get to choose where they're going. So I guess we're bidding for their services with pt and our roster and potential sales pitch to them. Maybe dinner with LeBron or something instead of the usual Eric Snow meal. My point is though, even if we've used up all our salary cap, those players cut for luxury tax relief will still be able to sign with us, and still make the same ammount. I don't see any of them getting raises anywhere they would go, or they would have been traded by now for something.

 

[cdt]

Yeah considering they are making a large amount they are happy with their contract, they are basically getting paid to play where they want to play. If we could get a Michael Finley or someone like that to play a lot then we would be a title contender no doubt.

 

[NarlCavs]

I would think the Cavs would be appealing to some of these types of FA's. Especially PF/C since there will be minutes available and the Cavs need more depth there. I'm not sure if it's been completely revealed how the salaries of these type of FA's will be figured out yet.

I'm liking the idea of LaFrentz the more I think about it. He's not a physical banger inside but would provide another highly skilled bigman. I'd be fine with Brian Grant too but his age and recent injury problems could make him more of a risk. Raef can easily play minutes at C and would give the Cavs the chance to rest Z more and still have a versatile scoring threat at the C spot. Raef along with Z would give the Cavs 2 big men with shooting range who can draw defenders away from the basket to open up lanes for LeBron and Hughes to use their driving ability. He also provides another spot up shooter who could play well off the creative ability of LeBron, Hughes, Jackson and whichever PG (Sarunas?) is added. LaFrentz also possesses a low post game and is not just a jump shooting big man. A 6-11 LaFrentz along side the 7-3 Z gives the Cavs a lot of length and shotblocking ability upfront.

In about 27 minutes a night with Boston last year Raef averaged 11 points 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game. Solid numbers for the minutes played. He also averaged one 3 pointer made a game. Bobby Simmons was brought up as a possibility for the Cavs that would improve our perimeter and 3 point shooting but LaFrentz actually made 32 more 3's last season.

The Celtics would have to waive him 1st to make any move possible and he would have to want to come to the Cavs. A move like this might not happen until late in the offseason so the Cavs would have to keep some cap space available until that point. That would be a risk but one that might be worth taking when you look at the level of C/PF's who are left in free agency. The realistic options for the Cavs should be just as good late in the offseason as they are now.

 

[Pioneer10]

As I'm being saying Grant is washed up: he maybe can provide 5-10 minute while Lafrentz can actually be a starter if someone gets hurt. He can stretch the floor and he can board. The only issue is he's soft just like Gooden and Z and we really could use a banger. But if he comes for cheap we won't find big men with his size and skillset out there.