Addressing the hole at center

[AMC]

I'm sure he has been mentioned already, but Tyson Chandler is a free agent after this coming season...

If we can use our MLE on him I will be incredibly excited. He is the perfect fit next to Love and LeBron (unless of course we can get DeAndre Jordan which seems unlikely).

 

[Walter White]

I'm sure he has been mentioned already, but Tyson Chandler is a free agent after this coming season...

If we can use our MLE on him I will be incredibly excited. He is the perfect fit next to Love and LeBron (unless of course we can get DeAndre Jordan which seems unlikely).

Yea, I had the same idea about wanting to get Tyson for the MLE. There are a ton of great bigs available actually. I listed them all in some thread awhile back, but I don't remember which one. We should be able to snag at least one.

 

[kovanovich]

As soon as I heard the Nuggets rejected a first rounder for Mozgov (out of spite alone, it seems) I thought of Withey. He looks like a lurpy dork but the guy protects the rim like his life depends upon it. I have no idea if the Pelicans are willing to part with him.

When Wojnarowski, and perhaps others, reported on the Cavs' interest in Mozgov, I didn't interpret the fact that it didn't happen to necessarily mean Denver had rejected the offer per se. For one, it seems to me to be rather difficult to execute that sort of trade until the Love trade is completed, given that we aren't yet certain of all the details of that deal, especially on what pick will be going out. Plus, there is the fact that the only, or at least the most obvious, way to get Mozgov is with the 3 non-guaranteed Utah guys, and Malcolm Thomas can't be traded till Sept 23 (or whatever).

Then SI reposted the following yesterday (Aug 9) originating from Russian source ITAR-TASS:

New Cavaliers head coach David Blatt recently said the front office tried to trade for Nuggets big man Timofey Mozgov and that Cleveland would also love to add guard Alexey Shved of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Alexander Chernykh of Sports.ru, citing an interview Blatt gave to Russia News Agency ITAR-TASS.

The Cavs and Wolves have reportedly agreed in principle to a trade that will send Cleveland's No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett -- the 2013 No. 1 overall pick -- to the Wolves for All-Star forward Kevin Love. The Wolves would also acquire the Cavs' 2015 protected first-round pick.

The Cavs' currently have Anderson Varejao at center so it's possible Cleveland could be looking to bolster its depth in the front court with a deal sometime this season. It's unclear whether Blatt will go after Mozgov or Shved after the reported trade with the Wolves, which is expected to happen at the end of August.

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/08/09/cavaliers-timofey-mozgov-alexey-shved-possible-trade-david-blatt-nba

See also this article, which further speculates the Cavs may have interest in Okafor:

http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/11258/20140810/cavs-rumors-nba-trades-nba-news.htm

These are sketchy sources, and I have not been able to track down a transcript of the original ITAR-TASS interview. Maybe something has been lost in the translation.

 

[kovanovich]

Withey, Ajinca, and Patric Young will all be vying for the backup C minutes behind Asik in New Orleans. Ajinca is another interesting name and a legit 7 footer to boot. He was a first round pick by Charlotte in 2008 but seemed to be coming into his own this past season in New Orleans. He seems like a classic big man late bloomer type and just turned 26. I would take either Withey or Ajinca as a situational shot blocker. I'm guessing one of them could be had for cheap sometime between now and the beginning of the season.

I think either Withey or Ajinca makes some sense, especially since I see little evidence that New Orleans is a well-run franchise. Both are under contract only through 2015, so it's not inconceivable that New Orleans might wish to trade one of them if at some point they decide they didn't fit the team, but this likely won't happen till training camp. I wonder whether the Cavs would try to hold out for someone better established? The thing is, neither of these guys is worth a first rounder, and I don't know why NO would trade either for a second rounder, unless you are willing to wait till the trade deadline.

That said, Withey did play pretty well last year in limited minutes, and Ajinca in close to 1000 minutes put up solid numbers after being signed midseason by New Orleans. Is it sustainable? Has he returned to the NBA a new player? I think one of these guys might be worth a shot. Both are under the radar and you just might be buying low. Maybe send them a 2015 first and get back the NO second rounder? Not necessarily saying I do that, just thinking out loud here.

Thabeet is marginally interesting, I guess. With McGary in tow, and Perk apparently coming back, I see no need for Thabeet in OKC. But he was so underwhelming last year, I don't know that it's worth actually giving up something for him at this point.

All the same suspects are still out there on the free agent market. Now that Atlanta has re-signed Mike Scott, it seems more likely they will let either Brand or Ayon go without a fight. They've also signed Adreian Payne.

I can't help but think the Cavs have a number of possibilities in the hopper to add a center, but that everything is sort of in limbo right now till the Love trade sorts itself out. It's conceivable that this may be causing the delay in the Marion signing as well.

 

[daytripper]

I think either Withey or Ajinca makes some sense, especially since I see little evidence that New Orleans is a well-run franchise. Both are under contract only through 2015, so it's not inconceivable that New Orleans might wish to trade one of them if at some point they decide they didn't fit the team, but this likely won't happen till training camp. I wonder whether the Cavs would try to hold out for someone better established? The thing is, neither of these guys is worth a first rounder, and I don't know why NO would trade either for a second rounder, unless you are willing to wait till the trade deadline.

That said, Withey did play pretty well last year in limited minutes, and Ajinca in close to 1000 minutes put up solid numbers after being signed midseason by New Orleans. Is it sustainable? Has he returned to the NBA a new player? I think one of these guys might be worth a shot. Both are under the radar and you just might be buying low. Maybe send them a 2015 first and get back the NO second rounder? Not necessarily saying I do that, just thinking out loud here.

Yeah this offseason has been so thoroughly thought out down to acquiring that Haywood contract I'm strongly guessing the Cavs have at least 1-2 guys in mind that can come in and contribute at center even if it's a part time player. I don't see how New Orleans can keep both Ajinca and Withey considering they already have Asik and are supposedly very high on Patric Young as workhouse energy player off the bench and haven't even mentioned their other big name bigs like Davis or Anderson.

I'm going to assume the Cavs could get Ajinca or Withey, whoever loses their backup job, for a song. Maybe one of the unguaranteed contracts plus a future 2nd round type of package. Tyson Chandler, if healthy, would be an ideal fit but his contract amount for next season is so large. Even if something crazy happens and the Mavs do try to unload TC at the trade deadline I don't see how the Cavs could conceivably acquire him until next offseason. If the Cavs can somehow hold down the fort at C until the deadline maybe someone like Mozgov would come available. At this point I wouldn't give up major assets for a stopgap C when there should be several decent options available next offseason.

 

[Douglar]

There are some risks with being patient, but there's always the option of saving trade assets and waiting to see what buyouts show up after the trade deadline. Boston picked up PJ Brown back in 2008 and that was big for them. You could say that they only did it that way because they had no other options, but it did work out pretty well for them.

Anyone want to guess which team is most likely going to pack it in and start rebuilding before the trade dead line? That might be the best mid winter trade partner.

 

[Jack Brickman]

There are some risks with being patient, but there's always the option of saving trade assets and waiting to see what buyouts show up after the trade deadline. Boston picked up PJ Brown back in 2008 and that was big for them. You could say that they only did it that way because they had no other options, but it did work out pretty well for them.

Anyone want to guess which team is most likely going to pack it in and start rebuilding before the trade dead line? That might be the best mid winter trade partner.

Personally, I'd rather wait than overpay right now. It's not as if we absolutely need a center right this second. Yeah, it would be nice, but our team is going to walk all over most other teams as is. I'd rather sign a stop-gap guy and let things in the NBA play out while we wait for the right deal.

 

[KCOTT]

wonder if the blazers would take scraps for meyers leonard

 

[Walter White]

I actually think Larry Sanders is very attainable if we want him. People are scared off by his personality and contract. But as far as his contract goes, I think he is on a pretty good deal actually. The length of the contract concerns me more than the dollar amount. Just because its 4 years, and its hard to commit for that length of time because we won't know how everything will turn out. And if we want to end up moving him, it might be tough.

But I'm guessing we would even up his value playing beside LeBron. He is making 11 mil a year, and that might sound high, but that is actually a pretty good deal for a center now days, especially a young one. And having him locked up for 4 years at that price could work to our advantage big time if he plays really well.

People were concerned about Dennis Rodman's personality, but he was a huge piece to the Bulls championship runs. I don't even think Larry is that volatile, and you know he will bring it on the court every night.

Tristan and the unguaranteed Jazz contracts actually works for Sanders. Don't even need to include Haywood, but I might anyway just because we aren't going to have room for another 12+ mil player anyway. But if Tristan really plans on getting a pay raise in the 9-10 mil range, I would much rather have Sanders instead. This isn't a trade that would have to be made right now, we can wait on our options. But we really couldn't ask for much more at the center position. I guess we could wait to see if we could possibly get Deandre Jordan in the future, but Sanders is practically the same thing. Just a little more edgy personality.

And if we still had a chance at Deandre (or any other center), we could use Sanders as a trade chip. He has a lot more potential and value then Tristan would ever have. He might play himself into a very high value too being on a championship level team (which we would probably just want to keep him at that). I'm not sure how big the health concerns are, but I'm all for getting him. Good buy low opportunity and perfect for what we need at center.

 

[Kizzle]

I actually think Larry Sanders is very attainable if we want him. People are scared off by his personality and contract. But as far as his contract goes, I think he is on a pretty good deal actually. The length of the contract concerns me more than the dollar amount. Just because its 4 years, and its hard to commit for that length of time because we won't know how everything will turn out. And if we want to end up moving him, it might be tough.

But I'm guessing we would even up his value playing beside LeBron. He is making 11 mil a year, and that might sound high, but that is actually a pretty good deal for a center now days, especially a young one. And having him locked up for 4 years at that price could work to our advantage big time if he plays really well.

People were concerned about Dennis Rodman's personality, but he was a huge piece to the Bulls championship runs. I don't even think Larry is that volatile, and you know he will bring it on the court every night.

Tristan and the unguaranteed Jazz contracts actually works for Sanders. Don't even need to include Haywood, but I might anyway just because we aren't going to have room for another 12+ mil player anyway. But if Tristan really plans on getting a pay raise in the 9-10 mil range, I would much rather have Sanders instead. This isn't a trade that would have to be made right now, we can wait on our options. But we really couldn't ask for much more at the center position. I guess we could wait to see if we could possibly get Deandre Jordan in the future, but Sanders is practically the same thing. Just a little more edgy personality.

And if we still had a chance at Deandre (or any other center), we could use Sanders as a trade chip. He has a lot more potential and value then Tristan would ever have. He might play himself into a very high value too being on a championship level team (which we would probably just want to keep him at that). I'm not sure how big the health concerns are, but I'm all for getting him. Good buy low opportunity and perfect for what we need at center.

if we got Sanders we'd pretty much be giving Waiters and TT their walking papers. No way we can afford all of them

 

[daytripper]

A partial list of UFA big men next offseason:
Asik, D. Jordan, Marc Gasol, Robin Lopez, Brook Lopez, Al Jefferson, Tyson Chandler, Kosta Koufas, Greg Monroe, Andy V

:drool:

(Not to mention next year's draft will be stacked with big man prospects.)

 

[Rimage]

Varejao and Waiters won't be traded because Lebron likes them and wants them on the team.

Thompson won't be traded because he has the same agent as Lebron James and his going to be overpaid next year as part of Lebron coming to Cleveland.

Trading Brendan Haywood now is shortsighted because the only reason he is here is to trade his huge unguaranteed contract next year, not act a filler for a trade now for some below average 7 footer.

The trade assets we have right now (assuming the Love trade is a done deal) are:

- Grizzlies 1st rounder (1-5 and 15-20 protected for 2015 and 2016)
- John Lucas III - $1,600,000 salary cap hold
- Malcolm Thomas - $948,163 salary cap hold (cannot be traded with any other players until after Sept 22, 2015)
- Joe Harris - $884,879 (cannot be traded until August 23rd, 2014)
- Erik Murphy - $816,482 salary cap hold
- Matthew Dellavedova (unlikely to be traded because he is cheap, quality option as bench guard)

Not a whole lot to work with.

You can take back 150% plus $100,000 of salary that you traded.

So lets say the Cavs put John Lucas III, Erik Murphy and Joe Harris out there in a trade and include the Grizzlies pick as motivation to trade with the Cavs.

You are looking at about $5,052,0415 the Cavs can take in. So, guys like Sanders and Hibbert are out. Cannot afford them at all and the Bucks and Pacers could get way more than that offer from some other team.

You could maybe get a guy like Zaza or Kanter if you included more assets, but why would want to? They don't give us what we need.

There are number C's you could get for this amount:

- Timofey Mozgov $4,700,000
- Samuel Dalembert $4,051,527
- Ian Mahinmi $4,000,000
- Bismack Biyombo $3,900,000 (RFA in 2015)
- Kosta Koufos $3,000,000 (FA in 2015)
- Meyers Leonard $2,317,920
- John Henson $2,000,000
- Alexis Ajinca $981,084
- Kyle O'Quinn $915,243
- Jeff Withey $816,482

I don't think Denver trades Mozgov for that package. I don't think Indy trades Ian Mahinmi at all, since they are reportedly looking to move Hibbert.

Kosta Koufos is a plodding behemoth and not a good fit for what the Cavs are doing. I don't think Leonard, Henson, Ajinca, O'Quinn or Withey are what the Cavs are looking for. They are reported to be looking for veteran big guys. None of those guys will make an impact this year in the playoffs and that is really all we are looking for: a veteran, defensive presence for 2014-2015.

So for me, it comes down to two guys: Samuel Dalembert and Bismack Biyombo.

New York might trade Dalembert for that package (you could even take out Joe Harris) just to acquire the pick. He is only under contract for a year and I don't know what the Knicks are thinking of doing. If they are planning a rebuild, they could definitely move him. If they are trying to make the playoffs, they probably keep him. But he would be perfect: a vet, a defensive presence, only here for one year.

Charlotte didn't use Biyombo very much last year. They may not be looking to trade him, but if they are he fits the criteria as well. He isn't a "vet" per se, but he is an older guy (despite what is listed) and while undersized, he a rim protector for sure. Rebounds well, doesn't need the ball on offense at all, which is fine on this roster. But again, I have no idea is Charlotte would trade him for a pick and guaranteed contracts.

I'm not even sure I love these options though. Are these rentals worth a 1st rounder? You may want to save that pick to get bigger deal done for a center next summer with Brendan Haywood. Maybe make a trade with couple second rounders instead, but all we have is our own now and those will like be in the 50's.

 

[AC Got Buckets]

I'm not even sure I love these options though. Are these rentals worth a 1st rounder? You may want to save that pick to get bigger deal done for a center next summer with Brendan Haywood. Maybe make a trade with couple second rounders instead, but all we have is our own now and those will like be in the 50's.

The only guy I'd give up the MEM pick for would be Mozgov, simply because he's a very good fit and has another cost-controlled year.

Biyombo involves playing 4 on 5 on offense (he is worse than even defensive guys like Asik). Leonard is awful from what I've seen of him. Henson can't defend centers. I wouldn't mind Mahinmi but if they are shopping Hibbert they'll want more than the NGs, plus clearing cap for them could cost us Marion.

Dalembert looks like the best bet at the deadline. Looking at that Knicks roster and with a new HC, they could well be going for a stealth tank this year then selling Melo+high 1st to free agents next year. I think we can get it done for a 2nd rounder at that point. The question is whether Andy will still be healthy then - hopefully TT can get lots of minutes at center.

 

[Tripi]

if we got Sanders we'd pretty much be giving Waiters and TT their walking papers. No way we can afford all of them

You don't need cap space to resign your own players. Unless you're referring to Gilbert not wanting to go into the luxury tax? I think if the team is winning he won't care

 

[SalvadoranCavsfan]

You don't need cap space to resign your own players. Unless you're referring to Gilbert not wanting to go into the luxury tax? I think if the team is winning he won't care

The penalties for going into the luxury tax are much harsher now than they were when we last contended. I'm not saying Gilbert isn't willing to pay a hefty cost for a contender, but even he has his limits.