Cavs 08-09 Season - Central Div Champs (official thread)

[tsteele316]

here is the thing about the trade.

1. shaq's contract is up this year, just like wallace and sasha. so, could cleveland get something better? possibly. would it also require cleveland taking a toxic contract in return, almost definately.

2. in order for cleveland to have any cap flexibility for next year's FA class, they cannot take on a ton of bad contracts this year, and with teams looking to dump payroll, that would almost be a certainty that the cavs would need to take on a bad contract to get talent.

3. the cavs can probably get a wing like sam young via some draft day maneuvering, but they most assuredly will not get a big that can give any immediate contribution except via trade or FA.

 

[LitlBuck]

If the Shaq deal is on the table for Ben and Sasha, I would do the deal no questions asked just to bring Cleveland a championship:)

Besides Young in the draft, a couple other tall wing players supposedly the Cavs are looking at would be Ellington and Budinger but both of the latter two guys would have to get tougher defensively. I obtained the information below from here

? Sam Young, SF, 6-6, 175, Pittsburgh: Could be a perfect fit because he's an older (age 24) player who played in a great conference against other future NBA players and has the potential to be a strong perimeter defender. Also a good shooter, some compare him to James Posey.

? Wayne Ellington, SG, 6-5, 190, North Carolina: Proved he could be a role player on a talented team and showed he can be a good scorer and quality shooter. Would have to toughen up on defensive end.

? Chase Budinger, SG, 6-7, 220, Arizona: The Cavs looked at him last year before he went back to school. Has very good size and is an excellent shooter but could have some issues defensively in the NBA

 

[methomps]

What are the chances Shaq could still have anything left in the tank late in the playoffs to man up with Howard for an entire series?

 

[LitlBuck]

What are the chances Shaq could still have anything left in the tank late in the playoffs to man up with Howard for an entire series?

I think that he and Z would probably split playing time during the regular season and that it would be about the same during the playoffs. I am not that concerned about his age but I am doubtful that this trade is going to come about.

 

[NFBuck]

I think that he and Z would probably split playing time during the regular season and that it would be about the same during the playoffs. I am not that concerned about his age but I am doubtful that this trade is going to come about.

There's a lot of smoke around this. If Dallas doesn't jump in with a better deal for PHX, I'll be surprised if this doesn't go down.

As for Shaq holding up for a playoff series, like Litl said above, his minutes will likely be limited during the regular season. He certainly can't be any worse than watching Ben Wallace and everybody else get abused.

 

[Bucks21]

I think that Ferry will pursue a lot of other deals before Shaq. I'm not convinced we even make a big trade this summer. I'm sure they prefer to but they might wait till the trade deadline to go after a big name on a team that is looking to cut payroll.

 

[tsteele316]

I think that Ferry will pursue a lot of other deals before Shaq. I'm not convinced we even make a big trade this summer. I'm sure they prefer to but they might wait till the trade deadline to go after a big name on a team that is looking to cut payroll.

that is only if they convince wallace to not retire. if he's set on retiring, they have to move him this summer.

 

[Piney]

There's a lot of smoke around this. If Dallas doesn't jump in with a better deal for PHX, I'll be surprised if this doesn't go down.

As for Shaq holding up for a playoff series, like Litl said above, his minutes will likely be limited during the regular season. He certainly can't be any worse than watching Ben Wallace and everybody else get abused.

The smoke is coming from the media rubbing their chubbies together at the thought of Shaq being with LeBron, they are trying to will it to happen. It would supply an endless amount of material enough for every NBA writer to write a book about.

I just don't think Phoenix does it unless there is no other deal out there and the owner forces the cash grab. Cuz they are also trying to get Nash to sign an extention and giving up Shaq for nothing more than cash is not going to get him to stay.

While I would love for it to happen, I ain't holding my breathe.

 

[tsteele316]

The smoke is coming from the media rubbing their chubbies together at the thought of Shaq being with LeBron, they are trying to will it to happen. It would supply an endless amount of material enough for every NBA writer to write a book about.

I just don't think Phoenix does it unless there is no other deal out there and the owner forces the cash grab. Cuz they are also trying to get Nash to sign an extention and giving up Shaq for nothing more than cash is not going to get him to stay.

While I would love for it to happen, I ain't holding my breathe.

actually, the word is that nash didn't like playing with shaq at all, so getting rid of o'neal would probably entice him to stay even more. chances are phx will be looking to dump amare and richardson at the deadline as well, coupled with getting shaq off the books will probably give them ample room for the 2010 free agent derby. in looking at it, if phx does dump those two and signs Nash at as much as $13 million per, they will have enough cash to sign a max deal free agent.

so, yes, unless some team is dumb enough to give up the young talent that phx wants, but won't get, they will be more than willing to make a deal with cleveland.

 

[LitlBuck]

There is also a little bit of chatter about the possibility of a trade with Wallace and Sasha going to Washington for Jamison. I don't know how much validity to put into that chatter.

 

[tsteele316]

There is also a little bit of chatter about the possibility of a trade with Wallace and Sasha going to Washington for Jamison. I don't know how much validity to put into that chatter.

the contracts don't work. it would have to be wallace straight up or washington would have to throw somethine else in the mix.

and I think the rumor was Washington adding the #5 overall pick in the deal. but there is nobody in this draft that makes that pick really worthwhile.

 

[LitlBuck]

the contracts don't work. it would have to be wallace straight up or washington would have to throw somethine else in the mix.

and I think the rumor was Washington adding the #5 overall pick in the deal. but there is nobody in this draft that makes that pick really worthwhile.

Mike James (?) From the Wizards would be the filler.

DraftExpress

 

[Brutus1]

I can't imagine why the Bullets would toss in the #5 in a deal unless they're concerned about their cap. The only good thing aboutr #5 is that it could be used to move up even further, with Thabeet being the target.

One way or another, there are some big changes coming to this roster in the offseason. Shaq talk is only one of the deals they're talking about and he's not necessarily the number one deal on their list.

The thing about the expiring contracts is that they're much more valuable closer to the deadline when teams have thrown in the towel.

LBJ, Mo and Delonte are the only untouchables. Everyone else can and will be dealt if necessary. The problem is that the Cavs' don't have alot of assets that other teams want.

Ferry and Gilbert are going to have to get very creative about making moves.

 

[Piney]

I can't imagine why the Bullets would toss in the #5 in a deal unless they're concerned about their cap. The only good thing aboutr #5 is that it could be used to move up even further, with Thabeet being the target.

One way or another, there are some big changes coming to this roster in the offseason. Shaq talk is only one of the deals they're talking about and he's not necessarily the number one deal on their list.

The thing about the expiring contracts is that they're much more valuable closer to the deadline when teams have thrown in the towel.

LBJ, Mo and Delonte are the only untouchables. Everyone else can and will be dealt if necessary. The problem is that the Cavs' don't have alot of assets that other teams want.

Ferry and Gilbert are going to have to get very creative about making moves.

It is not about the cap per say. It is ALL about cash flow. Alot of owners are in a cash crunch and any money they can save is golden (one reason the Shaq deal could get done as it would save the Sun's owner $10+ million dollars in hard cash) That is why if Ben Wallace is willing to retire and take a buy-out he becomes the biggest target for any team wanting to save cash ASAP.

Throw in the fact that alot of teams feel the talent does not equal the cash they will have to pay for their slot in the draft, and that means some teams are willing to give away picks. Washington is one of those teams.

I for one see the draft as a big opportunity for the Cavs. With teams willing to just sell draft picks they can move up and grab a player that can help this team sooner rather than later. While no one in the 5 range really grabs my attention (Thabeet would be nice, but I don't see how we can get him), I can easily see the Cavs move into the 12-20 range to grab an athletic wing type player than can give us 10-20 minutes a night off the bench and help us match up with the Magic.

 

[LitlBuck]

I thought that New Orleans was a team that wanted to get rid of some guys because they are one of the more cash strapped teams in the NBA but are things being held up with them because of the health of Chandler