If I was the GM...

[Phills14]

Although I like David West and Tyson Chandler. Neither really excite me nor do they really fit as an elite big man. West is a marginal upgrade over Jamison in my opinion. The thought of Chandler and Varejao on the floor together already increases my blood pressure because neither can score.

The Cavs need to make a decision. Either JJ Hickson is the talent we all hope he is. Or if he's at best a #3 or 4 option on the team then we need to move him in order to get that big man who can be the #2 option (Bosh, Stoudemire, Lee).

 

[winner0274]

I was thinking the same thing. I don't want a guy like Charlie Villanueva. We would be better off sticking with Hickson than going with someone like that. Either we get an elite big man like Bosh or we develop Hickson into a semi-elite big man. If we can't get an elite big man we should instead look toward getting a premier guard.

 

[Triumph36]

It's alotta wings, but I guess I'd be going under the specific idea that Mo would be moved out, a big man, Bosh, is brought in, and Delonte, Moon and Parker are possibly moved out too. You'd have Bosh, Chandler, Powe, Andy and Jamison (if he's still here) as the bigs.

Just a random scenario if the Cavs get some luck.

AND Bosh? IMO we're only getting him if we absorb at least one of Hedo/Jose, if not both. so that's $25M min incoming plus another $13M for Chandler and that's without really addressing the back court

Although I like David West and Tyson Chandler. Neither really excite me nor do they really fit as an elite big man. West is a marginal upgrade over Jamison in my opinion. The thought of Chandler and Varejao on the floor together already increases my blood pressure because neither can score.

The Cavs need to make a decision. Either JJ Hickson is the talent we all hope he is. Or if he's at best a #3 or 4 option on the team then we need to move him in order to get that big man who can be the #2 option (Bosh, Stoudemire, Lee).

Lee? As in David Lee?

Good luck convincing New York to S&T him here, lol.

 

[The Voice]

AND Bosh? IMO we're only getting him if we absorb at least one of Hedo/Jose, if not both. so that's $25M min incoming plus another $13M for Chandler and that's without really addressing the back court

I'd have no problem taking on Jose or Hedo if it means getting Bosh. We'd be getting Bosh dude! Bosh + LBJ would attract more stars/ring chasers and a better head coach.

 

[Triumph36]

I'd have no problem taking on Jose or Hedo if it means getting Bosh. We'd be getting Bosh dude! Bosh + LBJ would attract more stars/ring chasers and a better head coach.

Oh yeah I didn't say I had a problem with it, just that we need to realize doing that deal likely restricts or possibly eliminates other trade possibilities. I do hope we get a defensive-minded SG if we get Jose.

I don't think that duo will attract more "stars" though unless you have a loose definition of the word star.

 

[Phills14]

AND Bosh? IMO we're only getting him if we absorb at least one of Hedo/Jose, if not both. so that's $25M min incoming plus another $13M for Chandler and that's without really addressing the back court

Lee? As in David Lee?

Good luck convincing New York to S&T him here, lol.

Yea none of them are likely at all with Lee probably being the least likely. But my point is those 3 are in my opinion the best fits.

 

[Dr. Gymbo]

I believe I remembered reading that in order for NY to sign two max free agents they would need to give up David Lee's rights as they would impact the salary cap. They're going to have to make a decision on what to do with him soon.

I also believe that the salary cap projection will not be as a favorable as it was a few months ago. I mean look at the playoff series played this year. Look at all the sweeps or 4-1s. That's really not good for NBA business. Think about all the lost merchandising, games, and the TV time/commercials. Teams that have all of this investment (Chicago for LeBron) in the salary cap need to keep in mind that nothing is concrete until the cap is set.

To keep this on topic, I wouldn't forget about Dirk. Depending on what Cuban forecasts for this offseason, he may opt out of his contract. Not likely, but the guy has said he wants to win and that he wants to go back to Germany to play before he can't anymore. He's not getting any younger and I cannot see him wanting to continue to be on the treadmill of mediocrity (without winning a ring) for much longer.

 

[Smooth]

Although I like David West and Tyson Chandler. Neither really excite me nor do they really fit as an elite big man. West is a marginal upgrade over Jamison in my opinion. The thought of Chandler and Varejao on the floor together already increases my blood pressure because neither can score.

The Cavs need to make a decision. Either JJ Hickson is the talent we all hope he is. Or if he's at best a #3 or 4 option on the team then we need to move him in order to get that big man who can be the #2 option (Bosh, Stoudemire, Lee).

What other big men are out there? I mean honestly?

We need a center, what other centers are there?

There aren't a ton of centers available but I've always thought that Chandler would be a great fit here..

My problem with JJ is that it's going to be hard for him to be successful if he does not have a jump-shot... We work best when LeBron has spacing on the floor and having a big man who can do that (whether it be the center or power forward) is critical... There aren't too many centers in the league with the ability to pull people away from the basket and if they are, they're usually poor defensively... So really we're in a bind here... To me, I think we need to capitalize on JJ's value and see what we can get for him because I don't see a great fit for him here down the road unless we get a center with a good shooting big man...

 

[tcurrent]

There aren't a ton of centers available but I've always thought that Chandler would be a great fit here..

I can see Chandler being here and running all over the court with LBJ and whatever PG we pick (assuming that we go after one) but my only problem is this. Can he handle Dwight or do we just hope we can run enough that it will make Dwight ineffective? I would like to keep JJ just to be a big body to body up against Dwight. I know Dwight has owned JJ but I think you have to have a big body to muscle up with him like Big Baby has been with the C's. I don't know just my thoughts.

 

[bcort]

Because his eFG is 59% and 69% assisted. The dude knocks down shots like it or not and when LBJ is doubled you pass to Miller, most of the time he'll make it.

55% eFG; 86% assisted


Those are Anthony Parker's numbers. Mike Miller isn't much better at defense. It would be a marginal upgrade.

 

[ice cream man]

55% eFG; 86% assisted


Those are Anthony Parker's numbers. Mike Miller isn't much better at defense. It would be a marginal upgrade.

Ofcourse, Parker played with LeBron last year, and Miller didn't.

Miller is taller, more athletic, and has a quicker release. I'd love to get Mike Miller, but we need to take care of our frontcourt first.

 

[kovanovich]

Maybe its time they just blow this whole thing up?

Let LeBron walk (if he wants to leave).

Find takes for Mo, Jamison, and Delonte.

Move forward with a starting lineup of:

Telfair
Green
Jawad Williams
Hickson
Varejao

I shudder just thinking about that team, but at least they would play their asses off every game.

And look on the bright side... if they got rid of Mo and Jamison for expiring deals, then they would be WAY under the cap next summer with some decent pieces.

I'm not saying they'd get anyone, but it'd be an option. Combine that with what would certainly be a top-5 pick (Harrison Barnes anyone???), and that's a team I can be proud of.


I guess the question we have to ask ourselves is... would we be willing to give up a shot at a title for the next 5-6 years if it means possibly building a better future?

Unfortunately, if LeBron were to leave, I don't think that blowing it up would be as easy as you suggest. Mo and Jamison would both be difficult to move. My thinking is that if Jamison stays healthy and is having a good year, you could possibly move him at the deadline for an expiring and maybe a late first/second round pick. Basically what the Cavs gave up to get him. But I wouldn't count on that.

I suppose it is possible that with so many teams with cap space that one of them would be interested in taking on Mo (less likely Jamison since he will be making $13m next year). But it would have to be the right fit and I wouldn't count on this at all. It's hard to rebuild with Jamison and Mo on the roster. This is why (as I said back in February) the Jamison trade was a good one for Washington.

The fact of the matter is it would require luck (and/or good drafting) to create another championship contender if LeBron were to leave. I'm not at all confident that they could tank enough to get a top 5 pick in 2011. But the goal would be to get a top 5 pick in both the 2011 and 2012 drafts, or at least top 10s, plus accumulate as many later picks as possible in the hopes that you find a Ginobili or Tony Parker. But the reality is that you are unlikely to build anything better than a 50 win team that doesn't make it past the second round. That's just the reality of the NBA.

 

[Smooth]

Rudy Gay is sporting a eFG% of ~45% on jump-shots with only 39% being assisted.

He can shoot.

Problem is that he only shot 39% on 16-23ft jump shots and had a 49.1 eFG% from 3, both of which are average numbers...

Problem for Iguodala is that he was even worse than that... He shot 39% on 16-23ft jump shots and had a 46.4 eFG% on 3's...

If you're going to have LeBron and a center on the floor who can't hit mid-range shots, which you're not likely to find, then you absolutely need three very good shooters at the PF, SG and PG spot for LeBron to operate at his highest level...

 

[Triumph36]

What other big men are out there? I mean honestly?

We need a center, what other centers are there?

There aren't a ton of centers available but I've always thought that Chandler would be a great fit here..

My problem with JJ is that it's going to be hard for him to be successful if he does not have a jump-shot... We work best when LeBron has spacing on the floor and having a big man who can do that (whether it be the center or power forward) is critical... There aren't too many centers in the league with the ability to pull people away from the basket and if they are, they're usually poor defensively... So really we're in a bind here... To me, I think we need to capitalize on JJ's value and see what we can get for him because I don't see a great fit for him here down the road unless we get a center with a good shooting big man...

The problem with Chandler is his HUGE salary which obviously makes it hard to trade for him without limiting other trade options. And he's also an expiring, too, so Charlotte could need some incentive. I don't know their financial situation and how important money is, so that incentive may just be sending them close to the bare minimum to make salaries match and them saving a few million. Or it might be more.

I agree about JJ though. He shouldn't be moved for just anything, but he should be the most available player on our team and be brought up in basically all deals we discuss to see what the other team will give.

 

[BA_CavsFan]

This is my ideal draft day:

1. Cavs buy the 23rd pick from Minnesota.

2. Trade with Miami:

CLE in: James Jones, Daequan Cook, 18th pick, 41st pick, 42nd pick
CLE out: Delonte West, Jawad Williams, 23rd pick

MIA in: Delonte West, Jawad Williams, 23rd pick
MIA out: James Jones, Daequan Cook, 18th pick, 41st pick, 42nd pick

The Cavs relieve Miami of all remaining contracts except for Beasely, and get 3 draft picks for their trouble. West will be bought out, and Jawad Williams would probably be drafted in the 1st round this year if he entered the draft now. They also get a pick that is only 5 places behind their own 1st rounder.

Cavs draft:

#18 - Solomon Alabi
#42 - Dexter Pittman
#48 - Charles Garcia

These picks improve the frontline, especially the center position. With the likely departure of Shaq and retirement of Z, Alabi can start at center and learn on the fly like Hickson did last year. Pittman can lose weight throughout the season, and then compete with Alabi for a starting spot next season. Garcia is a unique talent that might be overlooked by other teams. He's currently projected for the 47th pick by DraftExpress.