NBA Insider: Cavaliers have trade pieces, but is there a deal that really fits?
by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter
Saturday February 07, 2009, 11:20 PM
CLEVELAND -- The trade season is now in full swing. With the deadline less than two weeks away, the rumors are exploding and the Cavaliers, armed with some valuable trade assets, are right in the middle of things.
Here's a look at what the Cavs have to offer and a handicapping of their chances at the big names on the market.
THE ASSETS
• Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract. Worth $13 million, his is a classic salary-cap clearer at this point in these troubled economic times. Teams underachieving and getting killed at the box office may look to try and reduce future salary commitments. The Cavs want to keep Szczerbiak, so if a trade with him is a pure salary dump, he could take a buyout and return to the Cavs after 30 days.
• Eric Snow's $7.1 million expiring contract. The Cavs aren't likely to use this, they can save $11 million in real dollars by letting insurance and NBA disability take over. However, if it is required to trade for a superstar, they would consider it.
• Anderson Varejao's $5.78 million expiring contract. Yes, he has an opt-out after this season but so do the Cavs, which makes his deal expiring. The Cavs would only trade him if they got a center with a long-term future here in return.
• Sasha Pavlovic's "virtual" expiring contract. Pavlovic is under contract for next season for $4.9 million. But just $1 million is guaranteed, so it acts like an expiring contract. The Cavs don't want to trade him, either, but he's certainly an asset because of this fact.
• J.J. Hickson is exactly what teams are looking for when they move highly-paid stars. A young, athletic big man with a cheap contract and huge upside. The Cavs are thrilled with his potential, but pairing him with an expiring contract could create an attractive package.
• 2009 first-round draft pick. The early returns are that this upcoming draft is not very deep and the Cavs will likely be picking at the very end of the first round. This diminishes this pick's value and it could be used to sweeten a package.
• $1.6 million trade exception. The Cavs have it left over from sending Cedric Simmons to the Bulls last year. It cannot be combined with other assets in a trade, but can be used on its own to take back a player making as much as $41.9 million (EDIT: should read $1.9 million) for nothing. Often large trades can actually be made up of a number of smaller deals put together, and this is where an exception can come into play.
THE POTENTIAL TARGETS
• Marcus Camby, Clippers
Why the Cavs can get him: Because the Clippers are terrible and owner Donald Sterling is probably furious at the payroll he's paying for one of the worst teams in the league. A good citizen and teammate and defender, he fits the Cavs' profile perfectly.
Why they can't: Coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy has said he wants to keep Camby until other stars Chris Kaman and Zach Randolph are healthy to get a better grasp on what he has.
• Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O'Neal, Suns
Why the Cavs can: In turmoil and teetering financially, the Suns have made nearly their entire roster available. These two don't fit together and one surely seems like he's moving. LeBron James and Shaq are close friends.
Why they can't: Last year, bringing O'Neal in ruined the Suns' chemistry and the Cavs are dearly guarding theirs. For Stoudemire, the Suns want some young stars as part of the package and the Cavs may not be able to deliver that. It also seems like Stoudemire has struggled fitting in when he's not the main star, which he wouldn't be here.
• Vince Carter, Nets
Why the Cavs can: Carter's contract is huge and runs past 2010, when the Nets want to clear cap space. Headed nowhere this season and with another developing star in Devin Harris, the Nets may be willing to budge. Also Carter has played well in a team role this season.
Why they can't: At 32, he's on the downside of his career and it would mess up their cap plans in 2010. He may not be the player they want to do it for.
• Brad Miller, Kings
Why the Cavs can: Miller is a good rebounder and a shooter who can stretch the floor, plus his contract runs just one more season.
Why they can't: Miller is out of shape and having a poor season and it's not clear how he'd fit in.
• Mike Miller, Timberwolves
Why the Cavs can: They always can use shooters and Miller's contract expires after next season. They have liked him for several years.
Why they can't: Bothered by injuries, he's not played as well this season as last and the Timberwolves are winning now and may not want to mess with their core.
. But I like Camby.
