Is AI in play now?

[rjgraca]

Since 'AI' is kind of old for a guard (he's 33 years old) which is an age risk for a big decline in production at any time -- we shouldn't be taking on crap contracts to get him -- even though he's an expiring. 'AI' couldn't get it done with Melo and Camby which makes me skeptical as to the impact he would have on the CAVs -- I know it wouldn't be defensively.

Kenyon Martin is the drain of the salary, unless he returns to form. However, keeping that in mind, he is the only basketball player in the league at the moment who is playing on two micro-fracture repaired knees, so asking for a big year from him may be out the picture.

http://www.journal-advocate.com/news/2008/jul/18/what-are-nuggets-doing/

 

[murph0511]

Was just talking Cavs with my brother and the subject of an AI trade came up, so I'm gonna take a crack at it here too...


Ben Wallace
Damon Jones
Wally Szczerbiak

for
Kenyon Martin
Allen Iverson



Why Denver does it? Gets rid of Martin and his deal for Ben Wallace who will play a similar role, but expires the year Martin has his player option. Saves them between 4 and 5mil this year which gets them out of luxury tax land, or close to it.

Why Cleveland does it? Adding a talent of Iverson's level alongside Lebron could wreak havoc on the wrest of the league. Jones is expiring filler, and Szczeriak is no longer needed with AI and LBJ taking 40 mpg at each of the wing spots. Martin takes Wallace role and minutes but we're stuck with him for one extra year.


Of course, Denver may not want to deal AI for just expiring contracts a relief from the Martin contract one year early. I also don't know that future draft picks are enough to sweeten it. Especially after giving Camby away.

Cavs might not want to gamble on AI being the guy they want with Lebron, and he expires after this season so you'd have to be willing to extend him for this to make any sense at all. It does increase long term liabilities as well because there's no way KMart declines his player option.


Now, to make this trade appear more credible in the traditional RCF way...


GET IT DONE FERRY.


Thoughts on this?

-Murph

 

[Smooth]

Since 'AI' is kind of old for a guard (he's 33 years old) which is an age risk for a big decline in production at any time -- we shouldn't be taking on crap contracts to get him -- even though he's an expiring.

The thing is that he's proven to be plenty effective after that infamous "32 year old" fall-off mark...

'AI' couldn't get it done with Melo and Camby which makes me skeptical as to the impact he would have on the CAVs -- I know it wouldn't be defensively.

Melo and Camby are no where near the players that LeBron is... Add in Z and that's a much better 3-some than in Denver...

Not to mention he was in the West where it was near impossible to get anywhere unless you were a pretty darn good team and the style of play was not conducive to winning..

I think brining in a guy like Marko Jaric, for cheap especially, along with AI would make a mighty nice pairing and a good team...

Trade Snow for Jaric
Trade DJ, AV, Sasha, Wally for Hunter and AI
Re-sign Delonte
Sign Ryan Gomes

Jaric / Gibson
AI / West
James / Gomes
Wallace / Smith / Hickson
Ilgauskas / Hunter / Traylor

How's that for a 12-man roster?

 

[Zone]

Even though his contract is considered pretty bad, I like the idea of Jaric as well. He's got some PG skills on the offensive end, and could defend the SG when playing with a smaller combo guard (like Boobie, Ben Gordon or Barbosa).

I believe Memphis has enough cap space to do a trade like Wally for Jaric. MEM might like it because they'd save about $7 million in total salaries and it would also give them more cap space next summer if they are truly interested in signing a big time FA.

In addition to Jaric, the Cavs would also get a decent sized traded player exception, which they could use in a sign and trade. Although I don't think it'd allow them to get a guy like Okafor or Deng, it might be just enough (along with a pick) to get someone like Ben Gordon.

If we were really lucky, maybe Marko would bring Adrianna!

Just thinking out loud

 

[rjgraca]

The variations of adding Wallace to take on Martin's contract makes that proposal better - still not a fan of taking on Martin though.

My point about 'AI' age is that it is a risk which Smooth posted a news link about perimeter players going down quick as they progress into their 30's (John Hollinger of ESPN) which is why I raised the objection to taking on Martin. Kidd looked very old at the end of last season and into the playoffs and 'AI' is not that much younger than him.

Not a Jaric fan other than his wife to be is nice to look at. Jaric is a move that the CAVs could do without. I don't see why the CAVs would voluntarily take on his bloated contract which would impact their cap flexibility into 2010 and Jaric simply isn't worth that.