Breaking down the aftermath
Posted June 30th, 2007 by Brian Windhorst
Somewhere in the South Pacific — I’m a long way from home, but still get ESPN and the Internet so I fully followed the NBA Draft yesterday (early in the afternoon where I am). Here’s a couple of things to chew on:
–I’m getting feedback that a lot of fans are upset the Cavs did not get into the draft. Especially considering, as predicted on this blog and elsewhere over the last week, the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers sold their picks when they couldn’t package them to move up. Here’s what you need to understand: The only pick the Cavs wanted was the Suns’ No. 24, ironically their own pick. I still believe my source that Jared Dudley was their top target, but he was gone by 22. The only other guy it seems the Cavs had interest in was Tiago Splitter from Brazil, who was gone at 28.
Here’s what you need to understand about why the Suns sold the pick to Portland and not the Cavs: The Trail Blazers had a bigger trade exception than the Cavs and that was part of the deal. Late after the draft, the Suns sent James Jones to the Blazers for that trade exception. So including the $3 million the Blazers sent to Phoenix, they saved $6 million more in salary owed to Jones over the next two years. That is a $9 million benefit for Phoenix, which is very, very tight with a buck on the fringes of the roster to avoid the luxury tax. It was out of the Cavs hands at that point, it was a pure business deal.
–When considering Cavs point guard options, keep an eye on Seattle. By picking up Delonte West in the Ray Allen deal, the Sonics have three point guards including Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour. They are also a franchise not crazy about spending money while their arena situation is in flux. The Cavs have liked West for several years and may make a call to Seattle to see how badly the Sonics want to keep him. Chances are the Sonics will move one of those guards. Perhaps Ridnour is the favorite because he makes the most money and will be a base-year compensation player, which means it’s easier to make a dollar-saving deal with him.
–In what seemed like a harmless chat on ESPN.com, Chris Sheridan wrote he heard the Cavs were shopping Larry Hughes. This is true and this has been true since the trading deadline when Danny Ferry openly told the media that he had conversations about every player on his roster with the exception of LeBron James. Make no mistake, the Cavs could trade Hughes, he is not totally untradeable as many suggest. But at this point it would be doubtful they could get back equal value, which would defeat the purpose. Hughes helped the Cavs win a lot of games last season, he’s just not a good fit with LeBron at this point. They do not complement each other and most times they do not have a great chemistry on the court. It is an issue but not the biggest issue on the team.
June 30th, 2007 at 1:48 am
Is there a better name than “Tiago Splitter?” I hope the Spurs sign him. No matter how much he may actually suck, that is one great name. If his American agent is sharp, he’ll kick it into overdrive and advise him to legally change his name to “Beno Splitter.” He’ll get soup endorsements out the wazoo.
June 30th, 2007 at 3:22 am
All right everyone, consider this deal: The Cavs send Seattle Larry Hughes in exchange for Wally Szcerbiak. Their salaries match up and Wally’s deal expires a year before Larry’s. Wally, when healthy, is one of the premier shooters in the league and shot an outstanding 41 percent behind the arc last season. His defense is nothing to celebrate but Mike Brown has done wonders with players like Sasha and Drew when it comes to their defensive games. Now whether or not, the Sonics would accept this deal is unknown, but Hughes would fit well in an up-tempo offense which is what the team is running. Feedback would be great.
June 30th, 2007 at 4:51 am
hey kevin, come to the cavs message boards on cavs.com …tons of people on there. you should propose it there.
good read brian!
June 30th, 2007 at 7:32 am
At this point, what IS “equal value” for Larry Hughes? Is he a shooting guard who can’t shoot (~40% FG, sub-30% 3PT career) or a point guard who can’t defend or distribute? At what point do his injuries stop being a fluke and start being an acknowledged liability? When does his $13 million a year start preventing the Cavs from acquiring players who really can help them as they try to win a championship? I’m not saying dump him … but if you can get someone useful for him, I’d say goodbye to LH and say hello to “Boobie for 3″.
June 30th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Pau Gasol x Larry Hughes
June 30th, 2007 at 10:09 am
I’m glad Larry Hughes is not totally untradeable. Trade him. Who cares about equal value. Dumping his salary and unreliable health is compensation enough. I’m prepared to live with Sasha and Shannon Brown at shooting guard. Aside from that mirage of an 8 game winning streak at the end of the year, I honestly can’t think of many games Hughes helped us win. Moreover, when he’s hurt, the likes of Flip Murray make you forget Hughes is even on the roster. Adios muchacho!
June 30th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
People People! Stop acting like Hughes has not helped us in any way or form. Yes it’d be great to get someone to fit alongside lebron a lot better. But stop acting like Hughes has no game. He is a very good player just on the wrong team. He needs to be allowed to run free to get steals and is really a fast break style player. A random offense if you must, like in Golden State and Washington. A half-court offense really takes all parts out of his game away from him. But to say he hasnt helped us in anyway shape or form is WRONG. Also Brian — the fans over at the boards were going insane after draft night. I was trying to explain to them that you dont buy a pick just to get into the draft. You dont make changes if you dont see something you like or feel it will help the team. People think change is always good, but its not. Now yes we do need more help. But if Ferry doesnt see something that he and the organization feels will help the team, he isnt gonna do it. Why do most fans not understand this?
June 30th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Of course Hughes has helped this team. He never said it publicly (other than saying it won’t be 100% healthy this season), but I think the finger has bothered him this year and likely affected his shooting. This is not to say I wouldn’t trade Larry if the Cavs could pick up someone better, but I’m sure people would appreciate Hughes more if something happened to LBJ where he was out for a few weeks. On a side note, I’d love to see the wine and gold bring back Brevin Knight (as long as he is healthy). I’m sure he would love to play in Cleveland passing out 20+ assists a night while tutoring young Daniel Gibson. Cheers!
June 30th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Bo Bo sez trade da bum
June 30th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Hughes’ finger affected is shooting? Well, if we’re searching for silly excuses, I guess that one is as good as any. I suppose it’s better than suggesting it’s caused by the intense emotional pain he suffers when he sees the one-finger salute.
And what can possibly be more wacky than saying “I’d love to see the win and gold bring back Brevin Knight (as long as he is healthy)”. Well, first off, the Cavs are no longer wearing wine and gold, and really haven’t for a few years. Although, I guess there is still that lingering residual effect from Michael Reghi ramming the silly catchphrase down people’s throats. Second, the part of the sentence about Brevin Knight is pure comedy gold. “As long as he is healthy?” You know how Jeff Ruland and Rick Mahorn were called “The Beef Brothers?” Why not save some national quipster the time, and simply refer to Brevin Knight and Larry Hughes as “Quadriplegic Squared.” Knight has been on seven NBA teams and on 186 disabled lists. With that being said, if Ferry hadn’t already hickory-smoked all that prize carp with his cap space, he’d reel in Knight for four years.
June 30th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
By the way, now that Brian is pimpin’ the hos for ESPN, has anybody let him know that Disney World’s Polynesian Resort really isn’t in the South Pacific? Poor guy. He’s all excited thinking he’s on vacation on a remote tropical island receiving a faint sports transmission after locating the long-lost remains of Amelia Earhart’s shortwave radio hidden deep in the jungle. I don’t have the heart to tell him he simply discovered the TV in Goofy’s trailer.
June 30th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
larry hughes is a good player but only on occasions…and in the playoffs he said unless he’s starting he isnt gonna play,c’mon what the heck is up with that!!!!
June 30th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
My friends, I think Rob stumbled upon the magic bullet here. Sit Hughes on the bench, make him refuse to play and then get some arbitrator to void his contract. There is light at the end of the tunnel…
June 30th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
I’m a very good golfer but only on occasion. About two holes per round, when I’m not hurt, depressed or at odds with my playing partners.
How many good years has Hughes had in his career? What GM would possibly be interested in him at his salary? I’d like to see some scenarios that make sense. Equal value at this point would be a sharp stick in the eye.
June 30th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
I’ve been saying it for months, if Steve Francis is party to a buyout, then Ferry should immediately put away his sweaty protractor, compass and Chinese abacus. Perhaps the Blazers acquired Francis with the intent of buying him out. If indeed this is the case, well, Mo Williams ain’t coming for Ferry’s cap leftovers, and the pasty white loser triumvirate of Beno, Blake and Ridnour is the NBA point guard equivalent of The Three Stooges. Francis can be had, and Ferry won’t have to tie him up for five years. Of course, that’s never stopped Danny “I Bid Against Myself” Ferry before. But Francis is definitely the best guy out there for teams that have no assets to give a team in return, nor anything but an exception for a free agent.
Although, now that I stop and think about it, a writer like Terry Pluto would absolutely LOVE Ridnour. As if the devotion to Frye, Ferry and Ilgauskas wasn’t already enough, the only thing that comes before basketball in Luke Ridnour’s life is Jesus Christ. I am not making this up. So if you love the sports and religion pages as much as I do, if Ridnour ends up in Cleveland, you’re in for two treats in one.
July 1st, 2007 at 12:16 am
Hughes has some skills first off. He is no loser like Damon Jones, Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, but the thing is, Sasha is about the same as Hughes and alot cheaper. If you could get rid of Hughes and get a hell of a point guard like Mike Bibby then of course go ahead it get the damn thing done. I am a die hard Cavs fan and the real deal is we will not win any Championships without a quality poin guard. That was seen in this years finals.
July 1st, 2007 at 12:27 am
I´m a cavalier fan from Madrid, Spain. You would advice
to Danny Ferry about three neccesary solutions for doing
better the team the next year and get winning attitude and
best level araound Lebron.
1 - Point guard, if possible shooter, but overall, good distributor.The Cavs have not idea of offensive systems.
ex: Andre miller, Chancey Billups, Mike Bibby, Luke Ridnour,
Brevin Knight, Steve Blake, Boykins, Mo Wlliams.
2 -A shooter replacing Damon Jones, Marshall,Ira Neble
Ex: Jason Kapono,Mike Miller, Wally Sczerbiak,
3- A backup center Physically strong and young.If the
salary cap allows in order to resign Varejao and not trade
Gooden. EX : Thiago Splitter or Marc Gasol( Is good, believe me).
Ah!.I forget… sorry hughes, trade him. And Jose Calderon
is a very, very good playmaker and an excellent person.
Go Cavs !!
July 1st, 2007 at 2:15 am
go cavs!!
July 1st, 2007 at 2:17 am
GO CAVS
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:46 am
Don’t Panic. Watch for LeBron, Gooden, Pavlovic, Boobie, and Shannon Brown to improve. Watch for Hughes to evolve into a bench role player on this team, and watch for the Cavs to make some moves as the season goes on.
More than any draft picks, free agent signings, or multiplayer deals we need growth and maturity from LeBron and Co.
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:54 am
Larry Hughes making $13 million on the bench doesn’t sit well with me, pardon the pun. No one disagrees that he’s had his moments and helped the team win from time to time … but is he earning his keep? No. This team just isn’t a good fit for him. And we’ve got capable replacements. Don’t forget that even before the playoffs, when Boobie was starting he averaged about 10 ppg and over 50% shooting from the field and beyond the arc to go with good defense. He makes the defense guard him, giving LeBron more room to work on the inside. I don’t know if he’s LeBron’s Pippen, but if he’s even LeBron’s B.J. Armstrong that’s a move in the right direction.
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 am
It’s obvious that nothing much will happen this summer as far as the roster is concerned–unless he’s got $30 million or so to blow, roster moves are just not Ferry’s style. So I’m wondering if our blog host has any inside dope on the developing sexual harassment scandal over at the show previously known as Cold Pizza.
The scandal involves a makeup artist and from what I’ve read on this blog, BW has spent an inordinate amount of time being plastered with facial pancake mix for that show. Have there been any other “pancakes” we should hear about, or do we have to wait for the depositions to be released to the public?
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Trade Larry for a cold pizza, some makeup, AND goofys trailer. And
throw in the 4 toed sloth. For Shawn Kemp and that model from California.
Well call it shakin and bacon. With a little grease of course. And where in
the world is Carmen San Damona? Find that little hustla and get him
out with Tucker and Hoops in the Maibach. Call in shrimpin and pimpin.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
A $13 million guard must be a starting guard. If he is not better to sell it. And Drew Gooden too. Mike Bibby is the man we need. I know that my English stinks out. Sorry. Angel de Luis. Eres un crack. De acuerdo contigo en todo.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Mike Bibby is NOT the man we need. We have 8 guards on this team, we don’t need ANOTHER GUARD at the expense of our best power forward. Mike Bibby plays no defense, is a streaky shooter, and is getting old and slow. Stop the Mike Bibby nonsense - it would have been a horrible move had the Cavs pulled it off.
And I agree they should continue to start hughes. Maybe he’ll have some good games and his stock will rise and we can trade him somewhere else.
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:27 am
I just finished reading GQ’s feature on Worldwide Wes. I now know as much about Worldwise Wes as our esteemed blog host knew about the escalator clause in James’ Nike contract. In other words, I still have absolutely no idea who this guy is.
July 3rd, 2007 at 11:05 am
Oops. Meant Worldwide Wes, not Worldwise Wes…oh, who cares. This character is so incredibly freakin’ connected, he charters Phil Knight’s jet and goes Pakistan clubbing with Osama on Wednesday nights. Other than the fact he knows everybody who’s anybody, I still don’t know a damn thing about him.
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Do you all realize we’re not even in the running for the Steve Blakes or Mo Petes of the world? There’s actually a good bit of competition for Blake. We’re going to get stuck with stiffs like Ridnour or Keith McLeod or Jannero Pargo or… oh my god, I can’t even think about it. Trust me, when this free agent signing period is over, this team is going to be branded with a big fat boatshoe footprint on its face.
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Jannero Pargo? Sounds like a spaghetti sauce.
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Tucker, I think you’re wrong. At this point, we probably know EVERYthing there is to know about Worldwide Wes. He’s a glorified concierge, with every famous person’s name and phone number programmed into his cell.
What more do you want to know about the guy? In fact, the more I hear about him, the more bored I get.
A far more interesting question is why Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley hang out so much. It’s starting to reach Jordan/Bacon proportions. And if they’re always in the same room, why does Wade even need to be in Barkley’s “fave five?”
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
From ESPN:
—–
Chauncey Billups’ agent refuted media reports that his client had agreed to a contract that could be five years and worth $60 million.
“This is a vicious rumor,” Andy Miller, Billups’ agent, told The Detroit Free Press. “It’s entirely untrue. We have not reached an agreement. I don’t know what stage we’re at. We’re having ongoing discussions, and I don’t believe that we’re on the verge of signing an agreement anytime today by any stretch of the imagination.”
—–
Gotta love sports. Only in sports could a $60 million deal be dismissed as a “vicious rumor”. I wish someone would start that kind of vicious rumor about me …
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Any chance we can get Tony Parker? His wife is HOT HOT HOT!!
July 4th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Terry Pluto’s Hair, I want to know what else is going on behind the curtain with this dude. There’s more going on than simply being a guy at the front door of the Hilton. For Christ’s sakes, he supposedly was the guy that persuaded Isiah Thomas to draft Rolando Blackman! And he’ll likely be the point man when James goes to the Knicks/Nets. What else is going on besides being a glorified concierge? That’s what I want to know. The Mafia code isn’t this secretive.
July 4th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Alan, you are delusional. Rolando Blackman was drafted in 1981 by the Dallas Mavericks.
As for Wes, he just trades favors. The agent for Renaldo Balkman probably gives Wes a commission for getting his guy drafted by NY. In turn, Wes does Isiah a favor for drafting the kid. What favor? I don’t know. Probably lap dances from the cheerleading squad.
It’s just like when you tip the concierge for recommending a strip club and calling you a cab. He gets your tip, a kickback from the cab company, and a kickback from the club he sent you to.
I don’t get what the big deal is. He’s everyone’s middle man. Wes is secretive because he doesn’t want to call attention to the fact that the emperor has no clothes.
I guarantee that his greatest fear is that everyone in the NBA will wake up tomorrow and say, “Why do we even NEED this guy? Let’s just broker our own deals.”
July 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Sorry, Terry Pluto’s Hair. Obviously a typo, but thanks for pointing it out. Come to think of it, perhaps Ferry will woo Brad Davis out of retirement.
July 4th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Or at least make Sasha grow a Brad Davis stache.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:25 am
The Wiz line-up of Jamison, Butler, Arenas, Navarro, Thomas looks all of a sudden so imposing. Cavs do need to make a major improvement/upgrade or if not it’s one and done for them for reaching an NBA finals.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
i would love to trade larry hughes but he is un tradablefor the money were spending on him no team wants to pay that much for a low talent player that doesnt pass the ball and cant make a shot