Out of the Rafters at the Q
Out of the Rafters
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This is a general analysis of the trade possibilities for the Cavs this year. Before delving into what we need, we need to examine what we have, both short and long term.
PG- Mo Williams is the starter for the foreseeable future, and I love it. He can push the ball, has great handles, is one of the best mid-range shooters in the NBA (Was second in fg% for two-point shots outside the key last year), and is a good guy on a reasonable contract.
Boobie showed that he is ready to shine. He can create off the dribble, and is apparently lights out coming off screens. Can be an effective SG or PG.
Delonte West is an interesting guy. He has PG skills, but his main asset is his hustle, especially on defense. While I love Delonte, you have to ask, if we get a starting SG, would we really be that well off with Boobie and Delonte coming off the bench? Or would we be better off with someone with size? At this point, I like Delonte, but if he's a key to getting a starting SG or PF, I think he's movable.
SG- Sasha Pavlovic is still young, and can play the 2 or 3. He can get to the hole and play defense. However, he's as inconsistent as it gets. He probably doesn't have any trade value. My ideal situation would be to have Sasha as the backup at the 2/3, but if he comes in and doesn't have it on that night, we could have a veteran swingman to bring off the bench instead of him.
Wally at this point, is just a 13 million expiring. He's our primary trade asset.
Kinsey is an end-of-the-bench guy until I see anything more out of him.
SF- LeBron. Enough said.
PF- Ben, at this point in his career, would be a terrific defensive presence playing 20 minutes or so a night. I just don't want to have to have him play 30 minutes a night due to his back. If he can look like he did last night for 20 minutes a game, he'll be a valuable contributor.
JJ Hickson has loads of potential. He could be a poor man's amare. I love his explosiveness and I see him as a terrific backup PF for the considerable future.
Darnell Jackson, if he pans out, can be our 5th or 6th big. That's about it.
C- Z looks like he's slowing down even more. I love him, but I expect him to retire after 2010. Until then though, he's our starter.
AV looks like a beast. Our starting C for the future? I think so. Unless we find a starting-caliber center and move AV over to our starting PF, in which case I'd wet my pants in excitement.
Wright actually looks surprisingly decent this year. I didn't expect his mid-range jumper to be this good. He's a great vet min player for this year, and MAYBE even next year.
So, as our roster stands, we are solid at starting PG, SF, and C. We are set with guards off the bench, and with AV, Hickson and Wright, we're set with bigs off the bench as well. For the short-term, our two primary needs are starting SG and starting PF.
For the long-term, our team is set at starting PG and SF. With AV, we also have one of our starting bigs, assuming we can re-sign him. With Gibson, West, Pavs, Hickson, Jackson, our bench looks pretty solid as well. Areas of need for the future are Starting SG, and either a starting Center, or a starting PF plus a player who has the size to play center to backup AV.
In summary, short-term needs: Starting SG, Starting PF
Long-term needs: Starting SG, and EITHER Starting C OR Starting PF + a backup C.
Our assets are: Wally's 13 million expiring, Snow's 7.3 million expiring, Delonte West, Sasha Pavlovic, Big Ben's 14.5 million dollar contract, that expires next year, plus draft picks.
After looking at the NBA rosters, here are all the potential targets for SG. These are players that could be available this year:
Vince Carter
Jamal Crawford
Ben Gordon
Anthony Parker
Mike Dunleavy
Michael Redd
Joe Johnson
Jason Richardson
Gerald Wallace
Mike Miller
Martell Webster
Stephen Jackson
Cuttino Mobley
John Salmons
Players whose contracts will not affect our 2010 capspace:
Anthony Parker
Joe Johnson
Mike Miller
Stephen Jackson
Cuttino Mobley
So, if you want to get a starting SG AND be able to sign LeBron + Bosh or whatever in 2010, your choices become extremely limited. Anthony Parker and Cuttino Mobley really aren't much of an improvement, if any, over Sasha or West, so that leaves you with Joe Johnson, Mike Miller, and Stephen Jackson.
Joe is more or less a dream. Yes, he'd be perfect, but the ONLY way the Hawks trade him is if they're doing poorly AND he demands a trade. Even then, there are teams out there who can offer the Hawks more young talent than we can. As much as I'd love him, odds are he's not coming here.
Mike Miller probably is not for sale either. The only reason the T'Wolves had to trade him is if they want to move him + Cardinal + Madsen for an expiring in order to go after the 09 free agent class. However, with Bynum reaching an extension with the Lakers yesterday, I really don't see any incentive for the Wolves to make a move for 09. They like Miller, and they'll just hang on to him.
Stephen Jackson would be an improvement at SG, but he's already 30 years old, and only shot 40% from the field last year, plus we're not sure if he can guards SG's anymore. His best position is SF, and while he might be a small upgrade talent-wise, he doesn't solve our problem long-term, and he might do more harm than good in the short term by messing up chemistry and chucking up shots.
So, if we want to upgrade our SG, that leaves us with players who run into 2010.
John Salmons would be a nice player. He's 29, but he's a great defender who's efficient from the field and can slash to the hole. He has a player option in 2010, but even if he picks it up, it's only 5.8 million. What would the Kings want for him? Either we'd have to take on Kenny Thomas's contract, or we'd have to give up probably West + a pick.
Martell Webster would fit in very nicely. He's 22, and is developing a nice all-around game. He could be our starting SG for the next 8 years, but, he probably will never be a star-quality player. What would the Blazers want for him? Probably nothing we have. They don't need an expiring, they don't want draft picks, and the only reason they'd trade away anyone right now is for a significant upgrade at SF or PG, neither of which we can offer them. Our best chance of acquiring Webster is a three-way, in which a team sends Portland either a stud PG or SF, we send that team expirings and West or draft picks, and we get Webster.
Gerald Wallace is an intriguing case. He might be available, if the Bobcats feel Morrison is ready to start. However, he's one concussion away from not playing again, his natural position is SF, his defense relies heavily on gambling for steals, and he can't shoot. He's a slasher who reminds me a lot of Larry Hughes, except competitive. I think he'd be an upgrade, but his contract goes until 2012-2013, and his lack of an outside shot coupled with injury history just doesn't sit well with me.
Jason Richardson would be a great pickup. He can do it all, and his game has really developed. If the Bobcats decide to go with Wallace and Morrison starting, J-Rich could be available. However, given that the Bobcats just gave up their 5th overall pick for him last year, I don't see them trading him away this year, for significantly less.
Michael Redd didn't work well with Mo in Milwaukee, and Milwaukee doesn't look like they have the pieces to go into full-blown rebuilding. I just don't see Redd coming here.
Mike Dunleavy and Jamal Crawford are not worth their contracts, and Ben Gordon would not only be a bad fit, but wants way too much money.
Vince Carter is 31, and his contract runs through 2010-2011. However, over the past three years, he's only missed a total of 9 games, and has averaged almost 38 minutes a game while shooting 45% from the field, 35% from three, with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal per game. The Nets would want a good deal for him, probably including West, at least one first and Wally's expiring.
So, the options we are left at for SG are:
Vince Carter
John Salmons
Gerald Wallace
Martell Webster
Every one of them would cost us 2010 cap room. Vince would cost us 17.5 million, Salmons might cost us 5.8, or he could opt out. G-Force would cost us 9.5, and Webster is up for a new contract after this year, so he could cost maybe around 6 or 7 million..
The possibilities for starting PF are:
Kenyon Martin
Nene
Al Harrington
Troy Murphy
Darko Milicic
Udonis Haslem
Zach Randolph
Chris Wilcox
Nick Collison
Channing Frye
Mikki Moore
Andrei Kirilenko
Again, let's first sort it by those who will affect our 2010 cap space and those who won't.
Will not affect 2010 cap space:
Al Harrington
Darko Milicic
Udonis Haslem
Chris Wilcox
Channing Frye
Mikki Moore
Al Harrington's game just doesn't fit here. He's a perimeter-oriented PF/SF who doesn't rebound particularly well or play low post defense that well either.
Darko is an intriguing player. He can play PF or C, and is only 23. He's never going to stud out, but could he develop into an average starting center? He passes well, and can hit a 15 foot jumper. He can also block shots, and is reasonably athletic for a seven footer. While he's not the missing championship piece, he could help this team out past 2010 when Z is gone. For now, I'd leave him out of trade options and more like someone to look at in free agency.
Haslem is an undersized hustle player who can hit a midrange shot. Again, not the low post presence we're looking for.
Chris Wilcox appears to be a good option, but the best comparison there is would be a low-post oriented Drew Gooden. Wilcox would be great for us offensively, but the mental lapses on defense are the exact reason why we got rid of Drew. If OKC wants to move him for cheap, I'd be all for us taking a shot on him, but I wouldn't give up West or a 1st or anything of value for him.
Channing Frye has been buried under Portland's depth chart. He's a tall, lanky PF who is pretty skilled offensively. He is lacking in both the muscle department and defensive department. However, I think we could develop him into a solid contributor on both ends of the floor. Looking down the road, if your top 3 bigs are AV, Hickson, and Frye, is that so bad?
Mikki Moore can be had for cheap this year, and would solidify our depth up front. He's not a low-post threat or a long-term solution.
Ok, now onto the PF's that would affect our 2010 cap space:
Troy Murphy could probably be had for rather cheap, and is a good rebounder. However, he doesn't play in the post offensively. He's more of a shooter. Plus, I'm not sure the Pacers want to trade within the division. He's also grossly overpaid, which doesn't really make sense for us.
Zach Randolph: Everyone has his own opinion on Z-Bo. I'm not going to go in depth on him.
Nick Collison would be a solid backup big, he rebounds well and shoots 50% from the field. He is due 6.75 million in 2010-2011. Again, he wouldn't be that star PF we need, but he'd be a solid addition.
Andrei Kirilenko could work here, or he could not. This is debatable. However, I don't see the Jazz trading him, at least during this season. The only way they make such a big move, dumping AK47 for expirings and draft picks/youth is if they aren't in contention, and I just can't imagine that happening.
Nene and K-Mart... two of the worst contracts in the NBA... but, they both are semi-productive players. IF we decide to abandon our 2010 push for LBJ + Bosh, either one of these could be had for cheap, one would think. However, at their contract and their injury history, I think we should avoid both of them. K-Mart's deal runs through 2010-2011, while Nene's goes a year longer.
So, the best options right now at PF are...
Darko Milicic
Channing Frye
Chris Wilcox
All three could make sense here. Darko might be had for very cheap, considering Marc Gasol has already jumped ahead of him in the rotation. I'm not sure what the Blazers would want for Frye, it would probably have to be a three-way. Wilcox makes sense for us, but he's already expiring, so what would OKC want? I'm certainly not ready to trade West for him.
So, in summary, here are a few trade options:
Trade one, Frye and Webster from Portland
Trade two, Gerald Wallace from Charlotte
Trade three, Vince Carter from New Jersey
Trade four, John Salmons from Sacramento
Trade five, Darko Milicic from Memphis
Trade six, Chris Wilcox from Oklahoma City
I'd like to pick your guys' brains now. Give me possibilities for these six trades, and we'll work to post the best ones in this thread.
PG- Mo Williams is the starter for the foreseeable future, and I love it. He can push the ball, has great handles, is one of the best mid-range shooters in the NBA (Was second in fg% for two-point shots outside the key last year), and is a good guy on a reasonable contract.
Boobie showed that he is ready to shine. He can create off the dribble, and is apparently lights out coming off screens. Can be an effective SG or PG.
Delonte West is an interesting guy. He has PG skills, but his main asset is his hustle, especially on defense. While I love Delonte, you have to ask, if we get a starting SG, would we really be that well off with Boobie and Delonte coming off the bench? Or would we be better off with someone with size? At this point, I like Delonte, but if he's a key to getting a starting SG or PF, I think he's movable.
SG- Sasha Pavlovic is still young, and can play the 2 or 3. He can get to the hole and play defense. However, he's as inconsistent as it gets. He probably doesn't have any trade value. My ideal situation would be to have Sasha as the backup at the 2/3, but if he comes in and doesn't have it on that night, we could have a veteran swingman to bring off the bench instead of him.
Wally at this point, is just a 13 million expiring. He's our primary trade asset.
Kinsey is an end-of-the-bench guy until I see anything more out of him.
SF- LeBron. Enough said.
PF- Ben, at this point in his career, would be a terrific defensive presence playing 20 minutes or so a night. I just don't want to have to have him play 30 minutes a night due to his back. If he can look like he did last night for 20 minutes a game, he'll be a valuable contributor.
JJ Hickson has loads of potential. He could be a poor man's amare. I love his explosiveness and I see him as a terrific backup PF for the considerable future.
Darnell Jackson, if he pans out, can be our 5th or 6th big. That's about it.
C- Z looks like he's slowing down even more. I love him, but I expect him to retire after 2010. Until then though, he's our starter.
AV looks like a beast. Our starting C for the future? I think so. Unless we find a starting-caliber center and move AV over to our starting PF, in which case I'd wet my pants in excitement.
Wright actually looks surprisingly decent this year. I didn't expect his mid-range jumper to be this good. He's a great vet min player for this year, and MAYBE even next year.
So, as our roster stands, we are solid at starting PG, SF, and C. We are set with guards off the bench, and with AV, Hickson and Wright, we're set with bigs off the bench as well. For the short-term, our two primary needs are starting SG and starting PF.
For the long-term, our team is set at starting PG and SF. With AV, we also have one of our starting bigs, assuming we can re-sign him. With Gibson, West, Pavs, Hickson, Jackson, our bench looks pretty solid as well. Areas of need for the future are Starting SG, and either a starting Center, or a starting PF plus a player who has the size to play center to backup AV.
In summary, short-term needs: Starting SG, Starting PF
Long-term needs: Starting SG, and EITHER Starting C OR Starting PF + a backup C.
Our assets are: Wally's 13 million expiring, Snow's 7.3 million expiring, Delonte West, Sasha Pavlovic, Big Ben's 14.5 million dollar contract, that expires next year, plus draft picks.
After looking at the NBA rosters, here are all the potential targets for SG. These are players that could be available this year:
Vince Carter
Jamal Crawford
Ben Gordon
Anthony Parker
Mike Dunleavy
Michael Redd
Joe Johnson
Jason Richardson
Gerald Wallace
Mike Miller
Martell Webster
Stephen Jackson
Cuttino Mobley
John Salmons
Players whose contracts will not affect our 2010 capspace:
Anthony Parker
Joe Johnson
Mike Miller
Stephen Jackson
Cuttino Mobley
So, if you want to get a starting SG AND be able to sign LeBron + Bosh or whatever in 2010, your choices become extremely limited. Anthony Parker and Cuttino Mobley really aren't much of an improvement, if any, over Sasha or West, so that leaves you with Joe Johnson, Mike Miller, and Stephen Jackson.
Joe is more or less a dream. Yes, he'd be perfect, but the ONLY way the Hawks trade him is if they're doing poorly AND he demands a trade. Even then, there are teams out there who can offer the Hawks more young talent than we can. As much as I'd love him, odds are he's not coming here.
Mike Miller probably is not for sale either. The only reason the T'Wolves had to trade him is if they want to move him + Cardinal + Madsen for an expiring in order to go after the 09 free agent class. However, with Bynum reaching an extension with the Lakers yesterday, I really don't see any incentive for the Wolves to make a move for 09. They like Miller, and they'll just hang on to him.
Stephen Jackson would be an improvement at SG, but he's already 30 years old, and only shot 40% from the field last year, plus we're not sure if he can guards SG's anymore. His best position is SF, and while he might be a small upgrade talent-wise, he doesn't solve our problem long-term, and he might do more harm than good in the short term by messing up chemistry and chucking up shots.
So, if we want to upgrade our SG, that leaves us with players who run into 2010.
John Salmons would be a nice player. He's 29, but he's a great defender who's efficient from the field and can slash to the hole. He has a player option in 2010, but even if he picks it up, it's only 5.8 million. What would the Kings want for him? Either we'd have to take on Kenny Thomas's contract, or we'd have to give up probably West + a pick.
Martell Webster would fit in very nicely. He's 22, and is developing a nice all-around game. He could be our starting SG for the next 8 years, but, he probably will never be a star-quality player. What would the Blazers want for him? Probably nothing we have. They don't need an expiring, they don't want draft picks, and the only reason they'd trade away anyone right now is for a significant upgrade at SF or PG, neither of which we can offer them. Our best chance of acquiring Webster is a three-way, in which a team sends Portland either a stud PG or SF, we send that team expirings and West or draft picks, and we get Webster.
Gerald Wallace is an intriguing case. He might be available, if the Bobcats feel Morrison is ready to start. However, he's one concussion away from not playing again, his natural position is SF, his defense relies heavily on gambling for steals, and he can't shoot. He's a slasher who reminds me a lot of Larry Hughes, except competitive. I think he'd be an upgrade, but his contract goes until 2012-2013, and his lack of an outside shot coupled with injury history just doesn't sit well with me.
Jason Richardson would be a great pickup. He can do it all, and his game has really developed. If the Bobcats decide to go with Wallace and Morrison starting, J-Rich could be available. However, given that the Bobcats just gave up their 5th overall pick for him last year, I don't see them trading him away this year, for significantly less.
Michael Redd didn't work well with Mo in Milwaukee, and Milwaukee doesn't look like they have the pieces to go into full-blown rebuilding. I just don't see Redd coming here.
Mike Dunleavy and Jamal Crawford are not worth their contracts, and Ben Gordon would not only be a bad fit, but wants way too much money.
Vince Carter is 31, and his contract runs through 2010-2011. However, over the past three years, he's only missed a total of 9 games, and has averaged almost 38 minutes a game while shooting 45% from the field, 35% from three, with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal per game. The Nets would want a good deal for him, probably including West, at least one first and Wally's expiring.
So, the options we are left at for SG are:
Vince Carter
John Salmons
Gerald Wallace
Martell Webster
Every one of them would cost us 2010 cap room. Vince would cost us 17.5 million, Salmons might cost us 5.8, or he could opt out. G-Force would cost us 9.5, and Webster is up for a new contract after this year, so he could cost maybe around 6 or 7 million..
The possibilities for starting PF are:
Kenyon Martin
Nene
Al Harrington
Troy Murphy
Darko Milicic
Udonis Haslem
Zach Randolph
Chris Wilcox
Nick Collison
Channing Frye
Mikki Moore
Andrei Kirilenko
Again, let's first sort it by those who will affect our 2010 cap space and those who won't.
Will not affect 2010 cap space:
Al Harrington
Darko Milicic
Udonis Haslem
Chris Wilcox
Channing Frye
Mikki Moore
Al Harrington's game just doesn't fit here. He's a perimeter-oriented PF/SF who doesn't rebound particularly well or play low post defense that well either.
Darko is an intriguing player. He can play PF or C, and is only 23. He's never going to stud out, but could he develop into an average starting center? He passes well, and can hit a 15 foot jumper. He can also block shots, and is reasonably athletic for a seven footer. While he's not the missing championship piece, he could help this team out past 2010 when Z is gone. For now, I'd leave him out of trade options and more like someone to look at in free agency.
Haslem is an undersized hustle player who can hit a midrange shot. Again, not the low post presence we're looking for.
Chris Wilcox appears to be a good option, but the best comparison there is would be a low-post oriented Drew Gooden. Wilcox would be great for us offensively, but the mental lapses on defense are the exact reason why we got rid of Drew. If OKC wants to move him for cheap, I'd be all for us taking a shot on him, but I wouldn't give up West or a 1st or anything of value for him.
Channing Frye has been buried under Portland's depth chart. He's a tall, lanky PF who is pretty skilled offensively. He is lacking in both the muscle department and defensive department. However, I think we could develop him into a solid contributor on both ends of the floor. Looking down the road, if your top 3 bigs are AV, Hickson, and Frye, is that so bad?
Mikki Moore can be had for cheap this year, and would solidify our depth up front. He's not a low-post threat or a long-term solution.
Ok, now onto the PF's that would affect our 2010 cap space:
Troy Murphy could probably be had for rather cheap, and is a good rebounder. However, he doesn't play in the post offensively. He's more of a shooter. Plus, I'm not sure the Pacers want to trade within the division. He's also grossly overpaid, which doesn't really make sense for us.
Zach Randolph: Everyone has his own opinion on Z-Bo. I'm not going to go in depth on him.
Nick Collison would be a solid backup big, he rebounds well and shoots 50% from the field. He is due 6.75 million in 2010-2011. Again, he wouldn't be that star PF we need, but he'd be a solid addition.
Andrei Kirilenko could work here, or he could not. This is debatable. However, I don't see the Jazz trading him, at least during this season. The only way they make such a big move, dumping AK47 for expirings and draft picks/youth is if they aren't in contention, and I just can't imagine that happening.
Nene and K-Mart... two of the worst contracts in the NBA... but, they both are semi-productive players. IF we decide to abandon our 2010 push for LBJ + Bosh, either one of these could be had for cheap, one would think. However, at their contract and their injury history, I think we should avoid both of them. K-Mart's deal runs through 2010-2011, while Nene's goes a year longer.
So, the best options right now at PF are...
Darko Milicic
Channing Frye
Chris Wilcox
All three could make sense here. Darko might be had for very cheap, considering Marc Gasol has already jumped ahead of him in the rotation. I'm not sure what the Blazers would want for Frye, it would probably have to be a three-way. Wilcox makes sense for us, but he's already expiring, so what would OKC want? I'm certainly not ready to trade West for him.
So, in summary, here are a few trade options:
Trade one, Frye and Webster from Portland
Trade two, Gerald Wallace from Charlotte
Trade three, Vince Carter from New Jersey
Trade four, John Salmons from Sacramento
Trade five, Darko Milicic from Memphis
Trade six, Chris Wilcox from Oklahoma City
I'd like to pick your guys' brains now. Give me possibilities for these six trades, and we'll work to post the best ones in this thread.
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). I love the idea of filling out our PF spot because to me the depth just is not there in order to make it through an 82 game season. Also it would be a nice long term move to fill up the C spot by getting someone who can play PF/C. 
