Jamison to Cavs? ESPN Insider

[abuC]

You know, it's commendable how Jamison seems willing to go down with the sinking ship that is the Wiz, but it's really not helping matters that this guy who apparently wants a title hasn't requested a trade. I don't think anyone would criticize him or call him unprofessional if he actually did request a trade.

 

[Paddington]

"Jamison is better around the basket. He can shoot 3s like Murphy can. But the last year of Jamison's deal -- $15 million when he'll be 35 -- would scare me."

I'd say that would be one gem of an expiring contract.

But in my opinion, I think JJ's play has negated the odds of a Jamison deal.
You just don't trade an emerging 21-year old PF who has the ability to put up 11/14 against a strong LA frontcourt.
Unless it was a homerun deal that brought us Stoudemire or something, I don't see the Cavs moving JJ in any deal.
Even if they managed to bring in Jamison without trading JJ, it would hinder JJ's development.

When you think about it, the Cavs are in an enviable position in that they're winning games over top-ranked teams while still being able to nurture a young talent like JJ.

 

[MoFlo]

Here is something I have been thinking about when it comes to adding a stretch 4 (Jamison).

I see the importance of adding him to improve our starting line-up and help with our spacing come playoff time (I'm not sure JJ can be counted on in a playoff series) and he can probably put up good numbers, but everyone knows it doesn't matter who starts, the most important players are on the floor the final minutes of the fourth.

We usually have been having a "closing" fourth quarter line-up of:

Mo/AP or Delonte/LeBron/Varejao/Z or Shaq (lately)
or
Mo/Delonte/Moon/LeBron/Varejao

But come playoff time I have to think Shaq is playing the end of the fourth along with Andy to make us better defensively and give us more length and mobility guarding more athletic bigs.

If we add Jamison or Murphy do you think Brown is going to play either of them in out crucial fourth quarter playoff minutes? Could we really go:

Mo/Delonte/LeBron/Jamison/Shaq
or
Mo/Delonte/LeBron/Jamison/Varejao

I just have a feeling that Brown will go with our best/longest/most versitle line-up in "crunch time" and adding this starting stretch four won't be able to make a big impact when the game is on the line because it seems Brown insists on having Andy at the 4 at the end of games with Shaq or Z or using Andy at the 5 with LeBron at the 4.

I guess my worry is that based on Brown's rotations and defensive mindset I don't know how much of an impact he will allow Jamison to have when the game is on the line.

-We know LeBron & Mo are finishing the game.

-Delonte & Andy will finish due to their defense.

-Shaq I can see finish games, but if they go to hack a Shaq (which teams will do more come playoff time), we'll bring in Jamison.

Besides, I think one of the main points for getting a Jamison is to take some of the pressure off of LeBron & Mo during the game, so they can conserve their energy for late in the game.

I can also maybe see us going:

Mo-LeBron-Jamison-Andy-Shaq (only against certain teams & certain situations obviously, as Jamison would be guarding the 3).

 

[kovanovich]

I'd say that would be one gem of an expiring contract.

But in my opinion, I think JJ's play has negated the odds of a Jamison deal.
You just don't trade an emerging 21-year old PF who has the ability to put up 11/14 against a strong LA frontcourt.
Unless it was a homerun deal that brought us Stoudemire or something, I don't see the Cavs moving JJ in any deal.
Even if they managed to bring in Jamison without trading JJ, it would hinder JJ's development.

When you think about it, the Cavs are in an enviable position in that they're winning games over top-ranked teams while still being able to nurture a young talent like JJ.

I know it was suggested somewhere that Ferry offered JJ for Jamison, but I can't believe this was the case. I just don't think trading JJ was ever very likely. Ferry would only include him in a few deals that might be available, Chris Bosh being the foremost among them...

Regarding the question on the Cavs crunch time lineup if they have Jamison...

I know Mike Brown has a reputation of being fixed in his ways, but he has actually shown a fair amount of flexibility in his crunch time lineups.

The lineup he uses will be determined by matchups. Against Orlando, Jamison might be the best option even on the defensive end. We might then see Shaq-Jamison to match against Howard-Lewis. When possible, MB may do some offense-defense substitutions, but knowing MB he will err on the side of having Andy on the court. It's hard to imagine Andy missing many minutes in crunch time as tough as his defense is.

It will be interesting to see whether Shaq will see more crunch time minutes. Until very recently, he has played very little. But given Shaq's inability to hit foul shots and the likelihood that even if Jamison is on the team, some form of LeIso will be the default offense, Jamison would make a lot more sense than Shaq.

I do know this, if the team is able to add Jamison the Cavs will have the most flexible front court in the league.

 

[ajz20]

New article: Mostly Speculation
Cavs face plenty of speculation before trade deadline

By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer

CLEVELAND: Trade season in the NBA is akin to trying to sift out plot points in a soap opera. The rumors and innuendoes fly from every direction, most fueled by rampant speculation and fan desire.

In the past couple of seasons, the Cavaliers have been a curiosity in the process. They went from a blockbuster trade two years ago — acquiring Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West — to not making a move last season.

Most outside of the organization believe the Cavs are desperate to make any kind of move before the Feb. 18 trade deadline to ensure LeBron James doesn't leave as a free agent after the season. History shows, though, that General Manager Danny Ferry will ultimately make a decision that's in the best interest of the franchise.

What to do

The choices aren't made easy at this point, because the Cavs have the best record in the league and have won seven in a row, going into the game tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers.

It also can be said that Ferry made his moves in the last offseason.

Guard Anthony Parker and forward Jamario Moon were added and have proved mostly productive despite some serious growing pains early this season.

The acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal via trade — the rumored big move this time last year that never came to fruition — is working. His recent play is bearing fruit for the organization's thinking and its patience with him.

Another point is the next best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, also have flaws, and they were evident when the two played each other Thursday.

For the Celtics, it's age and injury. Watching Kevin Garnett hobble through that game would give anyone sympathy pain. As for the Magic, all of their changes after losing in the NBA Finals have hampered the chemistry that led them there in the first place.

The most dangerous teams could end up being the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats.

Which brings us back to: Why tinker with the success?

The Cavs have a five-game lead in the Eastern Conference and are a long way from the team that started with an opening loss to the Celtics and a 2-2 record.

But every team has doubts, and the company line is that the Cavs are always looking to upgrade their roster if the right deal comes along.

Another factor is the lack of pieces to trade. The Cavs' most valuable asset is the expiring contract of veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Second-year forward J.J. Hickson and guard Daniel Gibson could also figure into a mix.

Trade partners

As for willing trade partners, the Cavs have been connected to several in recent weeks.

If the Cavs are truly looking for that ''stretch four,'' as the athletic power forwards are called in the NBA, several come to mind.

At the top of the list is Antawn Jamison of the Washington Wizards. What makes that scenario problematic is the history the two teams have. There's not a lot of love between the two, courtesy of contentious playoff battles that the Wizards lost and the animosity carrying over to the regular season.

Jamison fits the mold of players that the organization likes. He's got the offense — currently averaging 21.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. His defense is a weakness, but even if he gives an effort, Cavs coach Mike Brown would have little problem with him.

He is termed a ''character guy,'' which is always a bonus.

He also has stated publicly that he would love to play for the Cavs. The Cavs aren't talking but if the possibility of playing with Jamison is mentioned privately, there are more than a few smiles.

What are the prospects of getting Jamison? With owner Dan Gilbert's willingness to make moves, Ferry would have an opportunity here. But if the Wizards make Jamison available, a lot of teams would be interested.

It could help that the Wizards are looking toward rebuilding and a future without Gilbert Arenas — and approximately $10 million in a luxury tax bill — that could help this deal. Jamison has two years beyond this season left on his contract worth about $28.4 million.

Another fire sale is reportedly happening with the Indiana Pacers. They are playing poorly and are over the salary cap but not subject to the luxury tax. It has been reported that only All-Star Danny Granger in untouchable.

That means Troy Murphy, a player whom the Cavs covet, according to league sources, is available. He put up 10 points and four rebounds against the Cavs on Friday night. He can score and defend near the basket, averaging 14.1 points and 9.8 rebounds. He will be 30 later this year, and his contract is up in 2011. His contract numbers are almost equivalent to Ilgauskas'. But the word is the Pacers want more than that.

Others in the mix? David West of the New Orleans Hornets. It is possible, but unlikely, given that the Chris Paul-led Hornets look as if they have turned things around and are in the Western Conference playoff mix. As for rumors of the Philadelphia 76ers' Andre Iguodala being of interest? The contract is too long (four years) and too large ($56 million) for the Cavs to take on right now.

 

[Chris]

What does length and size of contract have to do with anything in regards to Iguodala.

 

[fudd]

What does length and size of contract have to do with anything in regards to Iguodala.

Yeah, isn't it good to lockup a guy that's young, elite, with sky high potential. Not sure I understood the point of that article. That writer just wrote what all of us knew and also included his opinions.

 

[Vlad]

Good news on the Jamison front, but I don't understand the concerns about Iggy's contract.

 

[ajz20]

I agree 100 percent with you. Interesting how all the cavs beat writers think Iggy is a poor fit, yet most of us feel he is worth the risk. I am still not sure about Murphy. The idea of him guarding Gasol in the finals is a bit uneasy for me.

Good news on the Jamison front, but I don't understand the concerns about Iggy's contract.

 

[cavsguy13]

I dont understand the Iggy thing at all. Shaq and Z come off the books. We may resign them, but it wont be for a combined 31 million. We can afford Iggy at 13.

 

[Zog]

If that statement about Iggy's contract being too large and too long are true, which I doubt, I would be extremely pissed. Might as well just let LeBron walk if that's the case.

 

[jvpertz]

I dont think the Cavs ownership gives a rats ass about salary right now. If they needed to have a 300 million dollar payroll to keep Lebron they would do so.

Because if Lebron goes, whats his faces entire investment plummets. This franchise will be worth zilch.

 

[cavsguy13]

I figured it out. Its all a smokescreen. They tell all the beat writers that they arent interested in Iggy. And then deadline day comes. All of a sudden we have Iggy while Ferry sits back in his chair laughing and smoking a cigar.

 

[Triumph36]

If that statement about Iggy's contract being too large and too long are true, which I doubt, I would be extremely pissed. Might as well just let LeBron walk if that's the case.

I thought it wasn't true, but now that it's being reported by multiple people it's a little worrisome.

Could a mod (or even W&G) with some info on the situation please explain this? Dismissing the possibility of Iggy because of his contract while accepting Jamison with open arms is the most hypocritical thing ever. It's an absolutely ridiculous comment to make, and it seems nobody understands their justification. Thanks.

edit: and yeah, I'm trying to hold out hope that it is a smokescreen.....but for being a smokescreen they seem to be pushing it pretty hard by having multiple people say it.

 

[cavsguy13]

I thought it wasn't true, but now that it's being reported by multiple people it's a little worrisome.

Could a mod (or even W&G) with some info on the situation please explain this? Dismissing the possibility of Iggy because of his contract while accepting Jamison with open arms is the most hypocritical thing ever. It's an absolutely ridiculous comment to make, and it seems nobody understands their justification. Thanks.

edit: and yeah, I'm trying to hold out hope that it is a smokescreen.....but for being a smokescreen they seem to be pushing it pretty hard by having multiple people say it.

Agreed. Over the next 2 seasons Iggy makes less money. There is another year on Iggy's contact but still. I love Jamison's game. He would be a great addition. But I love what Iggy brings more. We have the best stretch four in the game.