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Mock Offseason

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All good questions. Personally, I believe Gee is more suited to play SG and deserves to start. So we could try and trade our two first rounders on draft day to someone in the top four or five if possible. Then select Kidd-Gilchrist, or Harrison Barnes. One of the two should be available and would be a quality starting SF. (anythings better than Casspi, right?) . Could also make a play for Gallinari or Ilyasova(if he stays in the country) but i'm sure denver will match anything thrown Gallinaris way. So maybe a guy like Pietrus to play SF till our rookie is ready to start. He is a solid defender, and would be good coming off the bench. If we can't resign Jamison to back up TT, then a guy like Turiaf would be a good backup. Definately need to get Asik or Lopez in free agency though, think that is a must. Then in the second round if either are available(one should be) we can try Ezeli or Melo as our third string developmental center. Think Sloan has shown enough promise in my opinion to be brought back as Kyrie's backup, and think Harris would be a good SG backup to Gee. Plus both he and Sloan can play SG if need be.

Irving/Sloan/Harris
Gee/Harris/late Second round pick
Kidd-Gilchrist or Barnes/Pietrus/Casspi
TT/Jamison(hopefully)/Turiaf
Asik or Lopez/AV/Melo or Elezi

Think that would be a playoff team...Mind u, this is all answering your post. I still would rather keep our players and picks and hopefully get Beal. Gibson just needs to go.

Gallo signed a four year extension already.
 
My mock offseason:

Re-sign Gee, Harris, Sloan, Jamison (vet min hopefully), Samuels
Sign Asik

Trade with Memphis:
Cavs get: Mayo, Speights, 22nd pick (MEM 2012 1st)
Cavs give: AV, Boobie, 26th pick (LAL 2012 1st)

I know some may think that's too much, but I feel like this trade would be very beneficial to both teams. Memphis gets a defensive minded big that would form possible the best front court rotation in the league with Gasol, Randolph, AV, and Gay. Boobie gives them some 3-pt shooting which they desperately need. Mayo is a guy many on this board have targeted at SG and I think he still has some long term potential. Speights is a big I've always wanted the Cavs to pursue. 6' 10", 245, and still just 24 years old. His per 36 numbers are 14 pts and 10 reb while shooting 80% from the FT line. He certainly has room to improve, but he's a young, athletic center with a lot of upside. Both Mayo and Speights are restricted this year, so we would have to work out a sign and trade or the Grizzlies could simply extend the Qualifying offers to both players and deal them. Since the Cavs seem to love to do this, we ge the right to swap the Lakers pick with the Grizz 1st if it winds up a better pick.

Draft:
6th overall: Brad Beal ('nuff said)
22, 32, and cash (not sure if that's enough) to NJ for 16th overall: Moe Harkless (would be sick in Scott's system)
Would throw in the other 2nd to move up if necessary. Otherwise, draft and stash.

Sign UDFA Tu Holloway

Team of Ballplayers
PG: Irving, Sloan, Holloway
SG: Mayo, Beal, Harris
SF: Harkless, Gee, Casspi, Walton?
PF: Thompson, Tawn, Samuels
C: Speights, Asik, Thompson

Love the look of that roster moving forward. Beal would eventually start, but I thought it'd be good to not have both rookies starting immediately. That bench would be phenomenal with Beal, Gee, Tawn, and Asik. Definite playoff team on the rise in the East.
 
I'm sure Mayo would love coming off the bench behind a rookie in Cleveland
 
OJ Mayo sucks.

Also if the Cavs got #16 (they won't, NJ is desperate for the best talent possible after Dwight's opt in) I'd rather they go for Quincy Miller who has a decent shot of being available then.
 
I'm sorry but I do not see Maurice Speights being a long term solution at C for us. With the surplus of talent in this year at PF/C (especially if guys like Sullinger and the Freshman Zeller opt in the draft), we would be stupid not to pick up a big. I mean, if our lottery pick is lower than 8 and the wings are gone there will be a ton of talent at the 4/5 position to chose from. If we can get lucky to snag a winger early, then there are a plethora of PF/C's that we can draft and groom (Melo/Withey/Ezeli/Plumlee/Sacre/Sims). Any of those guys could become quality big men as long as they are developed correctly. I'm not saying all-stars but perhaps starters down the road. I haven't seen this much American 5 (or 4/5 combo) talent in one draft in a long time. Someone will slip through the draft to us, and we will be dumb not to pick one up with the sadsacks we've been playing at the 5 recently (read: Hollins/Erden).
 
I'm sure Mayo would love coming off the bench behind a rookie in Cleveland
EXACTLY!
If we got a top 8 lotto pick at SG or SF you can bet your bottom dollar that he would be starting. It would be essential for Kyrie and the new rookie to get as much playing time together as possible to gel together. It's less essential for Tristan because he was not really brought in to be an offensive partner to Kyrie. Also, Beal/K-G/Lamb are not as developmental as Tristan was on the offensive end.

I mean I think that this is all moot point when the Cavs (not the Clippers) win the lottery for the first time since 2003 and get Davis. God we would be a force to be reckoned with. Hell we could put Casspi and Larry Hughes at the 3-2 and still be a championship contender in a few years tops. (Okay MAYBE not THAT far, but you know what I'm saying).
 
Allright, as long as we're having fun here...

Trade with Philly:
CLE trades: Andy (include future picks if needed)
PHI trades: Turner

Draft Barnes
Draft a center with the LA pick or sign a FA center

Sign Gee, Twan


Irving/Sloan/Gibson
Turner/Gibson/Gee
Barnes/Gee
Twan/TT
LA pick/FA

Sets our rotation at the 1, 2, and 3 spot (Kyrie, Turner, Gee, Barnes, Gibson) for the long haul. Twan's minutes will go down but he will still start. TT will develop into our starter. Our LA pick/FA center will be serviceable but will eventually be the backup, and we'll still need to find a better center in the future.
 
Draft Lamb, Melo, Q Miller
Re-sign Gee/Jamison
Sign Batum/Asik

PG- Irving/Sloan/Boobie
SG- Lamb/Gee/Harris
SF- Batum/Miller
PF- Thompson/Jamison
C- Andy/Asik/Melo
 
Allright, as long as we're having fun here...

Trade with Philly:
CLE trades: Andy (include future picks if needed)
PHI trades: Turner

Draft Barnes
Draft a center with the LA pick or sign a FA center

Sign Gee, Twan


Irving/Sloan/Gibson
Turner/Gibson/Gee
Barnes/Gee
Twan/TT
LA pick/FA

Sets our rotation at the 1, 2, and 3 spot (Kyrie, Turner, Gee, Barnes, Gibson) for the long haul. Twan's minutes will go down but he will still start. TT will develop into our starter. Our LA pick/FA center will be serviceable but will eventually be the backup, and we'll still need to find a better center in the future.

All that's left is signing Dwight in 2013.
 
Draft Lamb, Melo, Q Miller
Re-sign Gee/Jamison
Sign Batum/Asik

PG- Irving/Sloan/Boobie
SG- Lamb/Gee/Harris
SF- Batum/Miller
PF- Thompson/Jamison
C- Andy/Asik/Melo

I'm warming up to the idea that we should throw big money at Batum. I would assume Portland would keep him though. But more realistically I'd love to see the Cavs go after Spencer Hawes. He'd be a perfect fit with TT/Andy and Kyrie, and he is unrestricted.
 
My 2012 Cavaliers Mock Offseason:

Resign-
Jamison, Gee, Sloan

Draft-
MKG, Ross, Jo. Taylor*, Pumlee

Sign-
Sessions, Hickson, Novak, Halloway*, Gordon, Green, Odom

*- assigned to D-League

PG- Irving/Sessions/Sloan
SG- Gordon/Ross/Green
SF- MKG/Gee/Novak
PF- Hickson/Jamison/
C- TT/Varejao/Pumlee/Odom

They key from here on out is to build through the draft, sign undrafted/young free agents, and to establish your D-league system. You have to build some depth and surround Irving with excellent/compliment players. I say bringing back sessions is unlikely, but hey, you never know. I have started to fallen in love with Sloan, who I think will be like a Sessions in a few years as well. For the SG, throw big money at Gordon and sign him with C-Town. Terrence Ross would compliment his game and learn under him, while Green is an excellent 3-point shooter and already has experience with the team already. For the 3 spot, MKG and Gee will be in a big battle for the starting job, but I think the rookie will top our rising player in Gee. Novak can shoot lights out from down town when he's on a streak, and would be more than welcomed to join the rest of our shooters. Onto the PF, i say we only need two here because technically, we actually have four when you count Varejao and Thompson. I think re-signing Hickson would be a good move, as he would add more depth to our new team. Jamison would basically be the team leader, helping out the younger ones of the team. The finally the 5, I think when TT is done practicing with Z, he will be an excellent big man who could easily bring his raw talent to the center spot. Varejao will be backing up the 4 and the 5, and will be helping out whenever he plays. I say give Odom a year off and rehab him at the Cleveland Clinic and get him healthy again, and will add even more depth to the 5. Pumlee will probably get a roster spot, and will get few minutes, but show his raw potential when he does.

Bottom line, I say let this team gel and they will be competing in the East once again. A lineup of Kyrie, Gordon, MKG, Hickson, and TT is well, this says it all:

http://www.cavstheblog.com/?attachment_id=5229
 
My 2012 Cavaliers Mock Offseason:

Resign-
Jamison, Gee, Sloan

Draft-
MKG, Ross, Jo. Taylor*, Pumlee

Sign-
Sessions, Hickson, Novak, Halloway*, Gordon, Green, Odom

*- assigned to D-League

PG- Irving/Sessions/Sloan
SG- Gordon/Ross/Green
SF- MKG/Gee/Novak
PF- Hickson/Jamison/
C- TT/Varejao/Pumlee/Odom

They key from here on out is to build through the draft, sign undrafted/young free agents, and to establish your D-league system. You have to build some depth and surround Irving with excellent/compliment players. I say bringing back sessions is unlikely, but hey, you never know. I have started to fallen in love with Sloan, who I think will be like a Sessions in a few years as well. For the SG, throw big money at Gordon and sign him with C-Town. Terrence Ross would compliment his game and learn under him, while Green is an excellent 3-point shooter and already has experience with the team already. For the 3 spot, MKG and Gee will be in a big battle for the starting job, but I think the rookie will top our rising player in Gee. Novak can shoot lights out from down town when he's on a streak, and would be more than welcomed to join the rest of our shooters. Onto the PF, i say we only need two here because technically, we actually have four when you count Varejao and Thompson. I think re-signing Hickson would be a good move, as he would add more depth to our new team. Jamison would basically be the team leader, helping out the younger ones of the team. The finally the 5, I think when TT is done practicing with Z, he will be an excellent big man who could easily bring his raw talent to the center spot. Varejao will be backing up the 4 and the 5, and will be helping out whenever he plays. I say give Odom a year off and rehab him at the Cleveland Clinic and get him healthy again, and will add even more depth to the 5. Pumlee will probably get a roster spot, and will get few minutes, but show his raw potential when he does.

Bottom line, I say let this team gel and they will be competing in the East once again. A lineup of Kyrie, Gordon, MKG, Hickson, and TT is well, this says it all:

http://www.cavstheblog.com/?attachment_id=5229

Exactly how much cap space do you think we have?
 
Exactly how much cap space do you think we have?

We currently have 7.1 million I think. Resign Jamison to a lower priced contract, we have 18.1 million. Cut Boobie, we have 22.5 million. Cut Walton and Parker, we get 30.4 million. Cut Casspi, we have 31.7 million. With other cuts, we get 53.1 million. With the signing of Gordon, we now have 45.1 million. With the signing of Oden, we have 44.0 million. With he signing of our draft picks, we now have 23.0 million. With the signing of Novak, Green, Gee, Sessions, Hickson, with the signing of free agents, we now have 11.0 million. And after I re-did the math, fixing errors, salary cap totals, and re-evaluating players, we now have 3.0 million.
 
We currently have 7.1 million I think. Resign Jamison to a lower priced contract, we have 18.1 million. Cut Boobie, we have 22.5 million. Cut Walton and Parker, we get 30.4 million. Cut Casspi, we have 31.7 million. With other cuts, we get 53.1 million. With the signing of Gordon, we now have 45.1 million. With the signing of Oden, we have 44.0 million. With he signing of our draft picks, we now have 23.0 million. With the signing of Novak, Green, Gee, Sessions, Hickson, with the signing of free agents, we now have 11.0 million. And after I re-did the math, fixing errors, salary cap totals, and re-evaluating players, we now have 3.0 million.

This isn't the NFL. Cutting contracts doesn't get you cap space, they're guaranteed. So you should go with the 18.1. Which means you can probably sign 3 of the guys you wanted, or Gordon and one other.
 
My new plan:

On this one I assume we win the lotto--might as well aim big, right?

Draft: Using players available per this: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/story/_/id/7745192/nba-mock-draft-version-2
1-Davis
25-Moultrie- Athletic big, decent jump shot--would pair well with TT, Andy and Davis
33-Doron Lamb--I like this guy a lot--he is one of the best shooters in college and I think he can even play some backup PG
34-Jae Crowder- Tough kid, can guard 3 spots, he is one of those glue guys, that just does things to help his team win

Free agent list: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/FreeAgents-12-13/nba-free-agents-2012-2013
Here is a good article about bargains from Hollinger:
Brandan Wright was essentially unwanted a year ago. Included as a throw-in to a Golden State-New Jersey trade, out of the rotation and injured (uhhh-gain), he was near the bottom of most team's lists of free-agent targets.

Now? He's pushing the reigning NBA Finals MVP for the team lead in PER, narrowly trailing a certain German by 22.06 to 21.72. While this comparison flatters Mr. Wright rather generously -- he has to be spotted in zone defenses or against non-scorers because he can't handle anybody even remotely physical, and his 64.9 true shooting percentage is likely to regress earthward -- there's no question that Dallas has found enormous value in a scrap-heap pickup.

The Mavericks are likely to continue receiving value into the future too, as they smartly tagged a team portion for next year onto Wright's minimum-contract deal -- making him far and away the biggest steal from last season's free-agent market.

This wasn't just blind luck, though. Wright had two characteristics that marked him as a potential high-reward free agent: 1) He was thought of highly enough to be a lottery pick in 2007, and 2) his per-minute numbers as an NBA player have always been good; he just kept getting injured and couldn't overcome the Warriors' phenomenal capacity for eating their young.

Which takes us to this coming summer, and the obvious question: Who might this year's Brandan Wright be? Or, more generally, which low-cost potential free agents out there might provide outsized value a year from now?

Skimming through the league's potential free agents, here are a few we've picked out that meet several of the criteria and should be available for the midlevel exception or less. You can call it my "Mr. Wright" Team:

Thompson

Jason Thompson, Sacramento. The most expensive player on this list, Thompson meets two important criteria: He's a former lottery pick, and his development has been hampered by a bad organization that on two occasions tried to convert the 6-foot-11 board beast into a small forward.

Thompson has shown some strides this season too, posting five straight double-doubles before spraining his ankle two weeks ago, and this wasn't the cheap 11-and-10 stuff -- he had at least 19 and 15 three times and shot an impressive 38-of-58 for the stretch. For the season he sports a career-high PER, and while he's a restricted free agent he may be attainable depending on the Kings' approach to their cap space.

Speights

Marreese Speights, Memphis: If you're looking for flaws, Speights has them. He shoots nearly every time he gets the ball, he doesn't defend with much enthusiasm, and he's had trouble with conditioning. He's also seen his PER decline in each of his four pro seasons, and we're not sure what was going through his mind when this picture was taken.

On the other hand ... he rebounds like a 5 (Rebound Rate over 16 each of the past two seasons), he has the size to play the position, and his deadly midrange J can be a huge floor-spacing weapon. Speights is only 24 and had a PER above the league average in each of his first three pro seasons; he's barely under the 15.00 league average at 14.53 this season. It's possible his negatives overwhelm the positives, but as a value signing there's a lot to like here.

Gee

Alonzo Gee, Cleveland: Unlike the other guys on this list, Gee wasn't a lottery pick -- in fact he went undrafted. But he's done a lot of work since to make himself into a two-way weapon at the small forward spot, and at 24 he can still get better. He's improved enough as an outside shooter for opponents to respect him, though his 3-point stroke remains a work in progress, plus he's a beastly rebounder for his size and has the strength and athleticism to defend most 3s despite being an inch or two short for the position.

None of that would lead me to shower him with riches, but the potential for improvement and the solid play this season make him another strong value candidate.

Asik

Omer Asik, Chicago: Oh, you thought you'd get out of here without some Asik props? Think again. Despite Chef Linguini's propensity for horrible turnovers and maddening inability to make a free throw, he's become even better in several other respects. Asik boasts a dominant 19.8 rebound rate, rejects nearly three shots per 40 minutes, and has a respectable 13.81 PER.

But I love Asik because of his defense. He and Taj Gibson combine to shut down opponents when they come in off the bench. Last season the Bulls gave up 9.85 fewer points per 100 possessions with Asik in the game; this season that figure is 7.70. What makes that number so amazing is that Asik was replacing Joakim Noah, who is a darned good defensive center. But Asik takes things up another notch.

He's a restricted free agent, and historically teams have been reluctant to pay for guys with a career scoring average of 3.0. But he'll be a bargain.

Dragic

Goran Dragic, Houston: Dragic's talent was clear even while he was regressing for Phoenix last season. And now that Kyle Lowry is out, he's showing it. In 14 games as a starter, he's averaging 17.1 points, 9.1 assists and 1.9 steals and is shooting 52.1 percent from the floor while helping to keep the ragtag Rockets in the Western Conference playoff race. (Quick reminder: Phoenix traded Dragic and a first-rounder to Houston last February for Aaron Brooks).

Dragic can be a bit erratic, and having the best sustained stretch of his career heading into contract time may strike some as a bit suspicious. But he's big and athletic for the position, he's 25, and he's still developing as a shooter. He won't come as cheaply as Wright, but he could pay big dividends.

Bayless

Jerryd Bayless, Toronto: Bayless is working on his third team and hasn't gained much career traction in his four pro seasons, but he was quietly having a good year in Toronto before a torn oblique muscle ended his season last week. He's averaging a point every two minutes with a solid TS% (56.1), and he's not just jacking either -- he's averaged nearly seven assists per 40 minutes over the past two seasons.

While he'll never be a pure point guard, his knack for getting to the basket and drawing fouls has been complemented this season by a spike to 42.3 percent on 3s. Bayless has "Mr. Wright" potential on other levels too. He was a lottery pick, he's been traded twice, and he is still only 23. The combination of his injury and his playing in Toronto may leave him well under the radar this summer, but as a high-scoring combo guard he's one to keep an eye on.

Rush

Brandon Rush, Golden State: He's a little old for this list at 26, but scouts have always been fond of Rush's athleticism. Additionally, the 2008 lottery pick always had solid defensive chops; it was his other numbers that got him in trouble. Rush had a maddening tendency to vanish into thin air -- he was the master of the 40-minute, two-point, one-rebound effort in Indiana -- Rush has concentrated on his 3-point shot in Golden State to great effect.

He's at 44.4 percent from long range this season while taking half his shots from there; he's now at 41.0 percent for his career. A career 41 percent 3-point shooter who defends? I'd say that's a weapon a lot of teams could use as a role-playing wingman, especially if he's also converting more than half his 2-pointers, as he has this season.

Mahinmi

Ian Mahinmi, Dallas: It would be somewhat ironic if next year's Brandan Wright is made expendable by this year's Brandan Wright. A developmental pick by the Spurs in 2005, it's hard to believe Mahinmi is still only 25. He's made slow but steady progress when he hasn't been injured, but Wright is crowding him out of minutes in the Mavericks' frontcourt.

Nonetheless, Mahinmi has value as a big man who can finish (TS% above 60 in all four pro seasons), make short jumpers and rebound. While he's a bit between a 4 and a 5 (a problem he shares with Thompson), he's a valuable rotation big man now and may still get better.

Green

Gerald Green, New Jersey: Green had no idea how to play basketball when he came into the league out of high school, which is why he washed out despite superb athleticism after Boston drafted him 18th overall in 2005.

Now that he's 26 and has had some seasoning in the D-League, Green has been electrifying. He's averaging a point every two minutes for the Nets, shooting 37.3 percent on 3s and delivering at least one highlight-reel jam per game. The 6-8 small forward has always had elite athleticism; now that he's combined it with a solid jumper and improved basketball acumen, he's become among the league's most potent bench scorers. He's off the radar in New Jersey, but his elite athleticism makes him a great value candidate this summer.

Randolph

Anthony Randolph, Minnesota: Probably the closest comp to Wright in terms of body type and history, Randolph ran into trouble after showing initial promise in Golden State and attitude questions have dogged him in stops in New York and Minnesota.

But as a value free agent, he has Mr. Wright potential because of his ability to finish at the basket and block shots -- just like Wright. He's 22, like Wright was a year ago. And like Wright, he's thought lowly of despite never having a PER below the league average. Doesn't mean he'll turn out like Wright, especially if he doesn't go to a strong organization. But the potential is there.

Green

Danny Green, San Antonio: I hadn't understood why Green didn't get more attention before this season; he'd produced everywhere he'd played but didn't show the eye-popping athleticism that gets a player into a scout's notebook. Green has been this year's honorable mention Brandan Wright, starting 22 games for one of the league's best teams and hitting 38.7 percent of his 3s. He's produced at both ends, too, often guarding opponents' top perimeter threats and rebounding far better than most 6-6 guards.

Green is 24 and will be a free agent again this summer; while he may not stay under the radar depending on how the Spurs do in the playoffs, right now he wins the title of most anonymous contributor to an elite team.

Thabeet

Hasheem Thabeet, Portland: OK, let me end this with the most far-out suggestion of all: I still think Thabeet can be a productive NBA big man, and he'll probably be available on a minimum contract this summer. Clearly, picking him second overall three years ago was a bit overenthusiastic, and whatever team gets him will have to nurture some shaken confidence. But he has an overwhelming NBA skill with a career average of 3.3 blocks per 40 minutes, he finishes shots around the basket, and he can make a 10-footer.

When you tick off those skills it doesn't sound too dissimilar from Brandan Wright, actually -- another long, slender big man who was pounded by big centers but found a niche playing in zones. Thabeet's value will be in those alignments as well, and at 7-3 he'll be an imposing figure if he can stay close to the basket.

Honorable mention: John Lucas III, Chicago; Delonte West, Dallas; Donte' Greene, Sacramento; Jordan Hill, L.A. Lakers; Kyrylo Fesenko, Indiana.

Re-Sign Alonzo Gee
Make offers depending on who we draft for: Asik (R), Batum(R), Ilyasova (U)

AV-Davis
Davis-TT-Moultrie
Batum-Crowder-Walton-Casspi
D Lamb-Gee-Gibson?
Irving-D Lamb

That is 12 spots taken--fill in with another backup PG, another free agent big (mahinmi?), etc.

I would LOVE Batum on this team--a 3,4,5 of Batum, TT and Davis or Batum, Davis, AV would be ridiculous on D--Batum is a very good three point shooter as well--if you put Lamb out there with Batum and Kyrie we would have 3 guys capable of 40% plus from three.
 

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