Woke up this morning to an explosion of e-mails about the potential trade I reported the Cavs were thinking about last night. It is important to point out that the Cavs and many NBA teams have discussions about big trades all the time. Obviously they intensify around the deadline as teams get serious about shaking up their roster. The Cavs are no different. The rumors that I have heard may only represent 10 percent of what the Cavs are thinking/talking about. I talk to various people from various teams across the league, I don’t have sources in every organization and the information I bring to you is the best and most credible I can find. The overall chances of a “blockbuster deal” — and boy has that term been devalued a little in the NBA over the last couple weeks — are still less than 50/50 in my opinion.
As a Cavs fan what you need to know is that the front office is honestly looking at trying to make a deal to improve the team. That is the real reason why I decided to write the story about them considering a major deal. They are not simply standing pat as I hear them often being accused of. And not just for the top available players in the Jason Kidd/Mike Bibby class. They are trying to get creative and trying to balance out the short term and long-term benefits. Let me also add something else, I think the Cavs do like the team they have now. And that comes from players, from coaches and from the front office. If there is nothing done the Cavs still feel like they have a shot to beat anyone if they can get fully get healthy. LeBron James of course would like to get better and that is not original thinking, who wouldn’t? But he’s also made it clear he likes his teammates, so remember that if nothing happens by 3 p.m.
One more thing just to calm some of the waters. I have not once heard Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ name come up in a trade rumor this season. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t come up in trade talks, but he is not part of the potential deal I was talking about. However, Z and the Cavs do have a little issue going on behind the scenes about him playing for the Lithuanian national team.
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I fail to see how this is an upgrade.
Delonte West – shooting under 40%, 3 assists, 7 points
Larry Hughes is better than that.
Wally Sczerbiak – serviceable but nothing to be excited about.
should be able to replace Newble and Simmons on offense – defense is doubtful.
Ben Wallace and Joe Smith barely make up for Gooden and Marshall, neither can catch the ball any better under the basket and score than what the Cavs are giving up.
This is an upgrade – Delonte is a good point guard and Wally is a sharp shooter. This looks like a good fit for the Cavs.
This makes Ben Wallace the highest paid player on the Cavs roster – that is not even a bad joke.
All the people talking about Larry Hughes’ contract should go a chew on that piece. Ben Wallace – the one and undoubted Cavaliers star player! (at least salary wise)
Here are the details:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3257159
“Ben Wallace and Joe Smith barely make up for Gooden and Marshall,”
Huh??? How do you figure….??
Gooden and Smith are a wash. Gooden is younger but right now I’d rather have Smith. Gooden has “lottery pick” syndrome. He still thinks he’s a STAR. Smith knows his role and does it pretty well.
Wallace and Marshall??? Come on….no comparison even if Ben has lost some of his game.
Wallace was unhappy in Chicago and I think a move to a contender will motivate him. Plus he’ll play more PF alongside Z and with Andy. What about Andy and Ben playing alongisde each other? Could be nice.
Wallace IS overpaid….BUT….the Cavs were going to PAY that money anyway to an UNHAPPY Hughes. So that’s a wash contract wise.
Marshall and Newble were practically dead weight. they have played of late because of injuries, but aren’t worth much.
West has sucked in Seattle this year. But his career stats show is a good shooter. And he’ll get open shots playing with LBJ, unlike those awful Seattle teams.
Wally gives us another shooter. Every expert and non-expert has noted th Cavs need more shooters around LBJ.
Now they have Gibson, Sasha, Damon Jones, Wally, and West. Z gives them a post presence and Andy and Ben are bangers who can defend PF’s like Bosh, KG, and Rasheed in the East. Joe Smith gives us a competent 4th big guy. A role Marshall used to occupy.
Smith is easily an upgrade over Marshall.
hope this helps you see it was a good deal.
why can i never get this page to update
If you look at the per 48 minute stats, then Ben Wallace is pretty much the same a s Marshall
“Wallace and Marshall??? Come on….no comparison even if Ben has lost some of his game.”
Ben 7.51 pp48m, 13.00 rp48m, 2.66 ap48m
Donyell 12.51 pp48min, 9.13 rp48m, 1.49 ap48min
Granted, Ben is the better defender but he is not going to spread the floor for LeBron at all. He is porbably going to clog the lane even more. There is no need to guard Ben Wallace if he is more than 5 feet from the basket, freeing another person to try and stop LeBron.
this is a fantastic trade. Joe Smith could be a huge part of this trade. He’s having a great year. Wallace and Z on the floor at the same time? That sounds pretty sick. Delonte West is an immediate upgrade at PG. i can see him dishing out 8 assists and 2 steals a night, if he’s healthy and clicks….
and last but certainly not least, really, please repeat after me….
THE CAVS JUST GOT RID OF LARRY HUGHES!!!!!
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