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Cavs take good look at Hudson
Ex-Minnesota player is part of a quiet but active summer for brass
By Brian Windhorst Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, Aug 04, 2007
It might not be popular to fans dying for action in a summer of blockbuster trades, but the Cavaliers are staying the course and taking a conservative approach.
With two months until the start of training camp, the Cavs will continue to be methodical when it comes to making roster moves. That does not mean Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry hasn't been active. The Cavs have explored numerous options, but like most teams that made the playoffs last season, they have been quiet.
Here is an update of the goings-on:
There are no serious discussions with restricted free agents Anderson Varejao or Sasha Pavlovic. The sides have exchanged proposals and are waiting for the unpredictable late-summer market to develop. The Cavs, who control the rights to both players, are not in any hurry to make a deal.
After getting close to a trade with the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs that would've landed Mike Bibby last month, the sides have stopped serious discussions. League sources said the Cavs have made it known that they will not trade Drew Gooden or be involved in a sign-and-trade with Varejao unless they get a quality big man in return. Which is why the rights to Argentine big man Luis Scola were in play in the Bibby talks that involved Gooden.
The Cavs have spoken to a number of free-agent point guards, but have been reluctant to sign any. They are looking for a starter-quality point guard; those players are only available by trade at this point. They also don't want to bring in a player who would stunt the growth of guard Daniel Gibson.
They looked into the availability of Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro, whose rights seem close to being traded from the Washington Wizards to the Memphis Grizzlies. The latest free agent whom the Cavs have contacted with some interest is Troy Hudson, whose $12 million buyout of his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves became official Friday.
Hudson, a 10-year veteran who averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 assists last year, would play for the NBA minimum and is interested in coming to the Cavs.
''Troy would have great interest in the Cavs,'' said Bill Neff, Hudson's agent. ''I hope they kick the tires on him and see if he can help.''
Sources said the Cavs had cursory discussions with Golden State Warriors restricted free-agent wing Mickael Pietrus. The talks never got serious, and the Cavs are not pursuing him at the moment.
The team has been looking to make a deal for a fifth big man; it appears that free agent Scot Pollard will not return.
After conducting numerous interviews, coach Mike Brown is still considering options in adjusting his coaching staff. He has been looking for a replacement for assistant Kenny Natt, who left for the Sacramento Kings last month. noweb
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Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Check out his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
Ex-Minnesota player is part of a quiet but active summer for brass
By Brian Windhorst Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, Aug 04, 2007
It might not be popular to fans dying for action in a summer of blockbuster trades, but the Cavaliers are staying the course and taking a conservative approach.
With two months until the start of training camp, the Cavs will continue to be methodical when it comes to making roster moves. That does not mean Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry hasn't been active. The Cavs have explored numerous options, but like most teams that made the playoffs last season, they have been quiet.
Here is an update of the goings-on:
There are no serious discussions with restricted free agents Anderson Varejao or Sasha Pavlovic. The sides have exchanged proposals and are waiting for the unpredictable late-summer market to develop. The Cavs, who control the rights to both players, are not in any hurry to make a deal.
After getting close to a trade with the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs that would've landed Mike Bibby last month, the sides have stopped serious discussions. League sources said the Cavs have made it known that they will not trade Drew Gooden or be involved in a sign-and-trade with Varejao unless they get a quality big man in return. Which is why the rights to Argentine big man Luis Scola were in play in the Bibby talks that involved Gooden.
The Cavs have spoken to a number of free-agent point guards, but have been reluctant to sign any. They are looking for a starter-quality point guard; those players are only available by trade at this point. They also don't want to bring in a player who would stunt the growth of guard Daniel Gibson.
They looked into the availability of Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro, whose rights seem close to being traded from the Washington Wizards to the Memphis Grizzlies. The latest free agent whom the Cavs have contacted with some interest is Troy Hudson, whose $12 million buyout of his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves became official Friday.
Hudson, a 10-year veteran who averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 assists last year, would play for the NBA minimum and is interested in coming to the Cavs.
''Troy would have great interest in the Cavs,'' said Bill Neff, Hudson's agent. ''I hope they kick the tires on him and see if he can help.''
Sources said the Cavs had cursory discussions with Golden State Warriors restricted free-agent wing Mickael Pietrus. The talks never got serious, and the Cavs are not pursuing him at the moment.
The team has been looking to make a deal for a fifth big man; it appears that free agent Scot Pollard will not return.
After conducting numerous interviews, coach Mike Brown is still considering options in adjusting his coaching staff. He has been looking for a replacement for assistant Kenny Natt, who left for the Sacramento Kings last month. noweb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Check out his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.