Potential destinations for Ramon Sessions

[castor777]

As far as New Orleans goes, would you potentially trade Varejao for Okafor and the pick from Minnesota via New Orleans? I think I would. But, since Andy is hurt now, it makes that much more difficult.

I don't think it's a question of whether or not we would do it. It's a question of would the owners allow that trade to happen? Minnesota's pick being unprotected and giving the Cavs a chance to have 2 picks in the top 12-14 range, I just see Mark Cuban going ape shit over that one. We are talking Varejao, and I do think the deal needs to be highly in our favor for Grant to pull the trigger - but with the Hornets situation, I just don't see them as his likely destination. Having said that, I am in the "Keep Varejao" bandwagon - can't help it, just love the guy too much.

[Rob]

A Yahoo "Contributor" Suggests a "Win/Win":

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a unique position since they have two players who can start at point guard in the NBA: Kyrie Irving and Ramon Sessions.

Obviously Irving, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft and the front runner for the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award, is the starter and should remain the starter for as long as the Cavaliers' front office can keep him around.

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While Irving is having a fantastic season, Sessions, an unrestricted free agent after this season, is playing the backup role with a starter's game log resume and production level. Sessions is averaging 10.2 points and 5.7 assists in 25 minutes per game.

With that said, It only makes sense for a trade in which both sides would win. If the right deal was made, Sessions would go to a team and play starter's minutes and the Cavaliers would land a player to help them in their current rebuilding process.

The problem is, making that right deal doesn't always happen, especially with a small market team in a city most people don't want to spend much time in: Cleveland.

However, I think Sessions is a valuable pickup for any team who doesn't have a true starting point guard such as the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic (Jameer Nelson is not starter quality), the Atlanta Hawks or the Utah Jazz.

The fifth year player can take it to the hole, shoot, find the open man, run a fast break and play defense.

I'm not saying he is Chris Paul or Derrick Rose but he can be a Kyle Lowry or Raymond Felton type. Both of these guys are top 15 point guards in the league as they put up solid numbers. There is no doubt in my mind that if Sessions had the right opportunity he could shine just as bright or brighter than both of them.

The Cavs need talent at almost every position, especially with Anderson Varejao on the injured list for an extended period of time during not only the current season, but last season as well. His body is starting to become severely untrustworthy.

With Varejao out, Irving and Antwan Jamison are the only starting caliber players on the lineup. Jamison, a 14-year veteran, is seeing a little drop off and will probably be out of the league in the next two or three seasons. This makes Irving the only real piece to build a team around.

If the mindset of the Varejao situation is that he will become healthy, the Cavs will have two starter caliber players worth keeping on the roster.

The likeliness of a straight up trade of Sessions for someone who produces at a high level on the lineups of the above mentioned teams is unlikely. This means, the Cavs are more than likely going to get a draft pick or have to package him with another player for a better sell. But Irving, Varejao and Jamison are the only sales.

No one wants Daniel Gibson, Omri Casspi or Semih Erden.

If the Cavs don't make a trade, they lose because Sessions is going to walk. If the Cavs make a trade to a team that already has a starting point guard, Sessions is going to lose because he'll be in the same situation he is in right now in Cleveland and the situation he was in with Milwaukee and Brandon Jennings.

In my opinion, the Cavs and Sessions should make a call to Utah. Their current starter Devin Harris has fallen off from his once bright future. Utah could definitely be the place for Sessions as the Cavs would be returned with the Jazz's young talent in Derrick Favors or C.J. Miles.

ESPN's NBA Trade Machine allowed me to trade Sessions straight up for Favors. According to ESPN's basketball guru John Hollinger, whose analysis appears on any trade proposal through the machine, the Jazz's projected team wins would go up while Cleveland wouldn't be affected at all if the trade happened.

This trade would be alright for Utah, but not for the Cavaliers because they probably want more out of the trade then being the same team they are right now. On the other hand, with Varejao out, Favors would be a suitable replacement. I think if Favors had someone rely on him to perform, he would. Utah isn't the right situation for him.

A trade sending Sessions and center Ryan Hollins to Utah in return for Favors and Miles works on the trade machine as well. This would give the Cavs two players they can build a contender with while the Jazz would get a true starting point guard and some front court depth. If Favors was dealt, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsapp and rookie Enes Kanter would be the only big guys. Hollins offers boards and a high shooting percentage.

Favors and Miles are young with huge upsides. Favors is a serious down low threat on both sides of the ball while Miles wrecks havoc for opponents defenses with his length. Miles range has expanded nicely and he is shooting the mid-range more efficiently.

Cleveland could use efficient scorers who can also play defense. In turn, Sessions could use an opportunity to prove to the world, not just me and a few other journalists, that he is an NBA starting point guard.

Lolwhat?

[Kyrie_K2]

Lolwhat?

Yeah, I actually saw this article a few hours ago. This guy is insane. Also the part where he said Sessions could shoot gave me a good laugh.

[Frank Reynolds]

I'd be all for Derrick Favors or Paul Millsap

Your talking about two high quality players right there.

[ArchieBunker7]

I'd be all for Derrick Favors or Paul Millsap

Your talking about two high quality players right there.

Utah fans would burn the arena down

[Phills14]

Yeah, I actually saw this article a few hours ago. This guy is insane. Also the part where he said Sessions could shoot gave me a good laugh.

Yea he lost me when he said Sessions can play D.

[Pioneer10]

Utah doesn't seem realistic. Sessions isn't going to bring us back Milsap or Favors. Plus both there first rounders are currently projected to be lottery picks . Ain't happening

[Triumph36]

Since we are completely in the tank at this point, what do you think we could get for Jamison/Sessions if we took Okafors contract from New Orleans.?

I am thinking a First and perhaps Henry or Aminu...

Not something as valuable as a 1st in 2012 or any future season.

There is a salary floor. Trading Okafor for expirings does not make sense.

Teams like Utah and New Orleans are worth keeping an eye on because they have two picks. Utah has their own and Golden State's (top seven protected). New Orleans has their own plus Minnesota's (unprotected).

The more I think about it, the more I like Utah as a destination for a trade involving Ramon Sessions. Trading Sessions for Devin Harris and swapping the pick obtained from Sacramento for the pick Utah obtained from Golden State seems realistic. The Cavs have three future second round picks in addition to their own. One could include one of the Orlando 2nd round picks into such a deal.

As far as New Orleans goes, would you potentially trade Varejao for Okafor and the pick from Minnesota via New Orleans? I think I would. But, since Andy is hurt now, it makes that much more difficult.

That isn't realistic. The Sacramento pick is worthless and the difference between Sessions and Harris is not a lottery pick.

I would do the New Orleans trade but do not believe the same can be said for the front office. Losing a fan favorite (which should be completely irrelevant) who they very likely overvalue and paying a bunch of money is a tough pill to swallow for what will likely be a late lottery pick. As with the above Hornets post, it does not make sense for NO. They too are rebuilding and thus have no use for Varejao. Given the state of their franchise they should take advantage of every possible opportunity to inject cheap youth into their team .

[Numbers Guy]

Yeah Derrick Favors isn't enough for Sessions We want more than the #3 pick in his 2nd year.

[LNance]

Perhaps we could try to target Eric Gordon, but as the cornerstone of the CP3 deal, I don't think even though he's going to be a RFA they could just sell him off like that. The league would look like fools. They need to find the team a new owner, and let that owner worry about what to do with Gordon and whether to match any offers he might receive.

I don't see them trading either of their picks, and dumping the Minnesota pick would make them look foolish as well.

But I've also go to wonder whether New Orleans even wants to bother dumping Okafor? If they'd like to invest his salary somewhere else that's one thing, but they do need to meet the minimum payroll requirements.

Who exactly knows who is in this draft or not? I heard that Robinson was going back to school and Barnes said he would enter the draft ONLY if NC won a Championship. Who knows if MKG, A. Drummond or A. Davis will enter.

NOH are going to have to pay E. Gordon big money which would replace Okafor.

[BimboColesHair]

Who exactly knows who is in this draft or not? I heard that Robinson was going back to school and Barnes said he would enter the draft ONLY if NC won a Championship. Who knows if MKG, A. Drummond or A. Davis will enter.

NOH are going to have to pay E. Gordon big money which would replace Okafor.

He said he will for sure enter if they win...he didn't say he won't enter if they don't win it this year

[Czvosec]

Not a snowball's chance in hell Robinson goes back to school. Not after this season. Bill Self wouldn't let him come back.

[CleveRocks]

If I understand the responses I am reading to my suggestion of a NO trade as a destination for Ramon and Antawn, the crux is that NO has to spend the money anyway (90% rule)..So why not Okafor. That is a valid point. It really depends on whether they will try to keep Gordon and build a team around him and what thier strategy for that build would be.

[Tornicade]

If I understand the responses I am reading to my suggestion of a NO trade as a destination for Ramon and Antawn, the crux is that NO has to spend the money anyway (90% rule)..So why not Okafor. That is a valid point. It really depends on whether they will try to keep Gordon and build a team around him and what thier strategy for that build would be.

the 90% rule isnt in effect yet. The cavs taking on Okafors contract would limit their flexibility and the likelyhood of getting an unprotected pick for a team looking for buyers trading away future assets isnt very likely.

[castor777]

Sessions would honestly fit in well down in Orlando. Watching them play the Heat now is painful, I just can't believe how god awful Nelson has become - I'm not buying he's hurt by Dwight's comments anymore, the dude is just worthless now and they need to a better PG. With Sessions ability to get inside and at least hit his big men for assists, he'd actually help the Magic a lot.