2009 Free Agency

[The Voice]

If Sheed comes cheap, I'd accept it and consider it a good move. The guy is talented and winning is contagious. Did Sheed cause problems when the Pistons won the title and almost won it the next year?

 

[Smooth]

In the discussion of whether to make moves now or only make small short term moves now in order to save and make a free agency run in 2010, I feel the Cavs would have to feel almost totally guaranteed that they can sign a major 2010 FA if they're going to wait and not add any big salary this offseason.

The way I see it is that I think there's a pretty good chance that if LeBron stays, a super star will follow... Now I could be wrong but I think there's something about LeBron that he'll find a sidekick and someone will go wherever he goes (Chris Bosh maybe?)...

I don't feel that Chris Kaman or Tyson Chandler or whoever else is on that tier, is worth risking the possibility of that..

I understand the argument of getting talent now versus getting a potentially much better talent later, but at a greater risk.. I do..

But I see the talent we're talking about and I don't see it as being worth it... I see them as good players that aren't earning their contracts and there are guys like that on the trade market on a yearly basis.. It's not like Kaman or Chandler or anybody else are outperforming their contracts--if that were the case, they wouldn't be on the market..

I think we have the potential to be good, we just need a few changes and I don't think it entails risking 2010 cap space... I think we can win a title and not disrupt that 2010 cap space...

And honestly speaking: if we want to potentially build a dynasty, this may be one of the few opportune ways we can do it... There aren't going to be too many times we'll get a top pick and get a legit player; there won't be too many Pau Gasol trades; and there won't be too many FA classes like this...

Also if they wait until 2010 it needs to be for a player who's 30 or under. It doesn't make a lot of sense to not try to add quality talent now only to then sign a fading player on the wrong side of 30.
Ages at the start of the 2010 season for some 2010 FA's:
Bosh-26
Stoudemire-28
Wade-28
J. Johnson-29
R. Jefferson-30
Yao-30
Redd-31
R. Jefferson-30
Nowitzki-32
Ginobili-33
R. Allen-35

Depends on what type of player we're talking about..

Guys like Redd, Johnson, Allen, Nowitzki, etc., will be good players further into their 30s because they such good shooters and they doesn't really go away with age...

I'd be more worried about guys like Ginobli and Yao because of their injury history..

I'd be indifferent on Jefferson..

Wade, Bosh and Stoudemire don't worry me...

I'd also like to point out some other possible FAs:

Pierce
Chandler
Shaq
Howard (Josh)
McGrady
Camby
Peja
Mike Miller
Aldridge (RFA)
Roy (RFA)

(I don't think Blazers will be able to keep both.. I'd settle for Aldridge if we couldn't get Bosh or Stoudemire)

There's also a lot of good role players too..

Even if we don't get a superstar, there is enough talent to make up for that... I don't think it's superstar or broke with this class.. If you have the cap room and miss a superstar, you'll still be able to get some solid players...

 

[War Mongering]

If we could get Aldridge, I would love to go that route and another possible starter...maybe a sg?

 

[Silky Smooth]

The way I see it is that I think there's a pretty good chance that if LeBron stays, a super star will follow... Now I could be wrong but I think there's something about LeBron that he'll find a sidekick and someone will go wherever he goes (Chris Bosh maybe?)...

I don't feel that Chris Kaman or Tyson Chandler or whoever else is on that tier, is worth risking the possibility of that..

I understand the argument of getting talent now versus getting a potentially much better talent later, but at a greater risk.. I do..

But I see the talent we're talking about and I don't see it as being worth it... I see them as good players that aren't earning their contracts and there are guys like that on the trade market on a yearly basis.. It's not like Kaman or Chandler or anybody else are outperforming their contracts--if that were the case, they wouldn't be on the market..

I think we have the potential to be good, we just need a few changes and I don't think it entails risking 2010 cap space... I think we can win a title and not disrupt that 2010 cap space...

And honestly speaking: if we want to potentially build a dynasty, this may be one of the few opportune ways we can do it... There aren't going to be too many times we'll get a top pick and get a legit player; there won't be too many Pau Gasol trades; and there won't be too many FA classes like this...



Depends on what type of player we're talking about..

Guys like Redd, Johnson, Allen, Nowitzki, etc., will be good players further into their 30s because they such good shooters and they doesn't really go away with age...

I'd be more worried about guys like Ginobli and Yao because of their injury history..

I'd be indifferent on Jefferson..

Wade, Bosh and Stoudemire don't worry me...

I'd also like to point out some other possible FAs:

Pierce
Chandler
Shaq
Howard (Josh)
McGrady
Camby
Peja
Mike Miller
Aldridge (RFA)
Roy (RFA)

(I don't think Blazers will be able to keep both.. I'd settle for Aldridge if we couldn't get Bosh or Stoudemire)

There's also a lot of good role players too..

Even if we don't get a superstar, there is enough talent to make up for that... I don't think it's superstar or broke with this class.. If you have the cap room and miss a superstar, you'll still be able to get some solid players...

I would be all for saving a lot of cap space for 2010 but dont you think that is such a huge risk? We need to stay real competitive and with the way our team is constructed, with all the old players, im not sure if we can keep this team the way it is and make it at least to the eastern conference finals next season.

Also getting a big like Chandler would really help our frontcourt out a lot especially if in 2010 we can get Bosh or Amare or Aldridge or any other really good PF. Would he be a good risk to take, especially if it is only for Ben Wallace?

 

[Chris]

If McGrady is even 75% healthy, he gives us 17ppg. Sheed although is not as good as he once was, provides bulk and toughness in the paint, that we needed about 2 weeks ago.

And there is a chance they could potentially come cheap?

Sweet

And both are massive, massive risks.

 

[Zog]

TMAC for Ben, Boobie, and TK works financially. Sasha instead of Boobie would also work.

How poor of shape is Houston in financially? If they want to save a boatload of money, they could do it, especially if they wanted Sasha (I would rather we trade him for a draft pick).

Sheed would also be a good addition down low for MLE. If Kidd would take the BAE, that'd be perfect.

It's not a long term fix (2-3 years maybe) but it does give us some extra flexibility for 2010 (TMAC is an expiring this year).

I'm not in love with it at the moment, but I think we win a championship if we could make that happen. So, trade for TMAC with Ben, Boobie, and TK. Sign Sheed. Kidd for BAE seems unrealistic, but we could get a decent backup PG for BAE. Resign Wally for cheap maybe.

Look at this lineup:
Mo
TMAC
LeBron
Sheed
Z

First guard off bench: Delonte
First big off bench: AV

Other bench players: BAE, Wally, JJ, DJ

LeBron would have tons of room to drive and TMAC can obviously create his own shot as well. TMAC isn't a great shooter, but he's certainly not a bad shooter, especially if he's wide open.

Imagine playing the starters for the first 6 minutes of the 1st, then bringing in Delonte and BAE for Z and Mo.
BAE
Delonte
TMAC
LeBron
Sheed

That's got to be absolutely scary for any team to try to guard.

 

[Green Lantern]

This team as it is today must be improved on and everyone from Gilbert to Lebron knows it.
Its safe to say that DF knows the pieces needed...get a solid big wing and a solid 4/5 and backup PG..not a backup combo guard but a real PG.
I don't want to see Z starting another year..he needs to come off the bench..and there needs to be a flushing of underachievers like Sasha/Wally and whoever else on that bench..

That said DF has to be as scrutinizing as he's ever been to get the right players brought in ,take the team to the next step and not blow any opportunities in 2010.
So it starts with the draft and what the Cavs are able to do there...then when FA/trade time begins that will be another crucial period.

 

[Radar]

I believe that Delonte's longterm role on this team will eventually be coming off the bench. He would have great value in that capacity in that he his so very versatile, and would be a tough match for any team having to cover for him with their second units on the floor.

So, that is where I see his future in Cleveland. Given that, I truly feel our greatest potential for improvement for the dollar value may best come at the SG position. I'm anxious to see how Tracy McGrady recovers from his surgery, I see that as a potnetial option contingent on his physical.

Other intersting options exist throughout the NBA. I'm curious as to what Detroit's plans are for some of their players. Might some be available ? Should explore.

Chris Wilcox is a guy that intersts me for paint options. ZaZa Pachulia would be an excfellent pickup that would complient out team very very well in my opinion... he just popped out as a great option in my opinion. Matt Barnes stands out right now ....of course Rasheed Wallace has made it known he wants to come here, and he'd love to play here.

Very early in the process and no plans are even close to being solidified.. But his name would fit here depending on what our future player mix is.

But, I would be anticipating a strong roster addtion at the SG position this offseason.

O lord,another one of those off-seasons...Not that getting a SG in the starting line-up is bad but our main focus should be BIG MAN...

But i brought up the idea of T-mac somewhere on here but after looking at his situation,i dont think he will be playing at the very beginning of the season,so i dont know...We kind of need help all over the place...Bench,starting guard(which you brought up),big man(2)

 

[Radar]

If McGrady is even 75% healthy, he gives us 17ppg. Sheed although is not as good as he once was, provides bulk and toughness in the paint, that we needed about 2 weeks ago.

And there is a chance they could potentially come cheap?

Sweet

Agree...Some times you cant be greedy and expect the best available player on the market...If you think about it all we are really have is expirings to trade so....T-mac is a great player,just injured a lot...Imagine if he is the #2 option on this team?(all hell break loose when healthy)...Sheed should be a solid vet..

 

[Green Lantern]

Uh...I didn't see W&G 's post ..wow... Tmac?
At one time I thought he would be a good pickup but dude just seems like a basement dweller..
He's got talent but would rather be a punk ..then to give it his all..
Would he give a total effort here????

Wilcox is a guy I wouldn't mind..ZaZa Pachulia ..thats even with AV..
Rasheed ..man that just throws me off..I just can't see him in a Cavs uniform..can't believe he wants to come here..

 

[NarlCavs]

I don't envy the decision Ferry and Gilbert have to make as to whether to make moves now or hold out until 2010. There are legitimate arguments both ways. Personally and not having the inside info that the organization has, I still feel that the Cavs would have to feel extremely confident that they can for sure get a big time 2010 FA in order to wait and not try to make significant additions now. If they have the knowledge and confidence that they can get a top 2010 FA than it makes complete sense to maintain the flexibility for 2010.

As far as 2009 free agency, the player that is maybe the most intriguing is Charlie Villanueva. There's a ton of raw talent there but I am concerned about getting a consistent effort, especially defensively, and the basketball IQ. If the Cavs felt comfortable that those wouldn't be problems than he does make a lot sense as a player to pursue. There's also a good chance with the current market and the fact that the Bucks probably can't afford to keep him that you could be able to sign him for the MLE. This is a 6-11 F with deep range who will only be 25 at the start of next season and who averaged 16.2 pts and 6.7 reb's in just 27 minutes a game last season.

 

[Green Lantern]

There's a ton of raw talent there but I am concerned about getting a consistent effort, especially defensively, and the basketball IQ. If the Cavs felt comfortable that those wouldn't be problems than he does make a lot sense as a player to pursue. There's also a good chance with the current market and the fact that the Bucks probably can't afford to keep him that you could be able to sign him for the MLE. This is a 6-11 F with deep range who will only be 25 at the start of next season and who averaged 16.2 pts and 6.7 reb's in just 27 minutes a game last season


Doesn't that description sound eerily similar to Mo Williams after we got him?

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I wouldn't trade for T-Mac in a million years.

He is coming off an injury that will significantly impact the way he plays the game, and I'm not sure he's going to be that much better than Delonte.

I'm also not sold on Tyson Chandler. He brings little to no offense, is injury prone and isn't that good of an on ball defender. He would shut down all the dribble drives, though...as he has long arms and good lateral quickness.

 

[ZissisKilla]

I have no desire to see Chris Wilcox in wine and gold.

I'd rather patch the hole than just keep bailing water.

 

[sam_slam911]

T-Mac? Damn if I had to pick a name least likey to hear we'd take a chance on it would probably have been him.

Ive always been a TMac fan and thought he really does receive alot of negativity for very little reason. Hes a megatalent that has the skills to be one of the greatest ever, but obvviously he just doesnt have the mentality, work ethic, or just plain heart to be LeBron or Kobe. Is that his fault? Nah, hes not a bad guy and hes just a result of people expecting major talent to equal greatness.

He cares, je just doesnt push himself to the limit and kill himself training every hour of every day like LeBron or Kobe. Microfracture surgery is just about the hardest thing to come back from in sports, so you can understand why people have their reservations about him managing to get back to the player he was, especially since hes approaching 30 now.

But hey Id love to be proven wrong. And if he did manage to come back to within half the player he used to be, hed be a valuable piece to any team looking for short term success, since his contract ends next year.