Right now, at this point. We can't begin to delve into what the Cavs could and would do with the TPE and draft picks. That's because we don't know what team we're fielding. But we seem okay with J.J., as long as he doesn't turn into another early year-Zach Randolph and produce stats at the sacrifice of wins. Mo isn't terrible to have and neither is Ramon.
For the year, Mo, Ramon, Antawn, Joey, Andy, Leon, Moon, Parker, Gibson, etc. will produce us some decent wins and keep us above 30 most likely. But Hollins, J.J., Eyenga, Green, Jawad, etc. may keep us below 40.
We can use the TPE anywhere in the process, as long as it makes sense. I wouldn't even bother with it until the time is right. But say we're at February deadline and 50 games have been played.
What do you do that works best, if you have these options:
- Get a borderline star player.
- Get a big contract with assets/picks.
- Get draft picks with several contracts.
- Several support players that solidify positions.
If you're currently above 25 wins, there's still 32 games to be played. You can aim for a good player, but you risk draft position. Otherwise, you could tank it and wait for next year... again. Or multiple options. In this case, I'd use it to get a good player. They could help us win further if we make more trades and get better prospects while developing our talents.
If you're below 20 wins, I see going into the directions of assets, draft picks, and a contract to take off the books. I'll just help with our own draft pick along with getting more out of it. Plus, those assets/picks can be traded further to eventually get to the level of the 2007-2008 summer Celtics. They built up so much that they used it to get 2 stars along with many contracts and some draft prospects they had left.
Still, we don't know who those teams or players are. It'll require playing out the season for them too. If the Sixers are bad, then Iggy is more available. Vice versa for the Pacers with Danny Granger. The Grizzlies could screw up again and get us Rudy Gay. I mean, even Josh Smith could be a situation if the cards are played right. I hate to say it, but Luol Deng? Kevin Martin? Any of these guys could be had if for the right price. I'm not interested in the specifics, because I don't do trade ideas too much.
As for the draft picks, we need to take on big contracts with years for it to be feasible. The Sixers have Brand, but it's not the best bet. They might get desperate enough to throw Iggy into a three way but we get a pick or two out of it. Peja or Emeka from New Orleans. Zach from Memphis. Michael Redd from the Bucks but get a draft pick or two. Mike Dunleavy or James Posey from the Pacers. Richard Hamilton from the Pistons would kill two birds with one stone, but only if the Pistons feel they exhausted every option. Dan, Monta, Vlad from the Golden State Warriors.
I can think of a million, but watch who's lower on the list. Those are the ones we have a shot with as well. That was the case in previous years too, but this year, we can also deal with good teams, so the advantage goes even higher.
All we can hope from Dan Gilbert is this: Patience. He'll lose money, but will make it back, in a few years.
