Free Agent Talk

[Karma]

In recent years, the Cavs periodically have expressed interest in talented swingman Bonzi Wells, now with Memphis. Well, if the Cavs still want to acquire the veteran, the Grizzlies are all ears: They're actively trying to dump Wells, whom they view as a locker room problem.

Not neccessarily the type of personality we would crave. Talented but also a headache.

The team recently worked out former University of Minnesota star big man Rick Rickert, who has been playing pro ball in Europe.

See if he can get on the wrong side of LeBron James after he was decked by Kevin Garnett in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the Cavs are loading up: They released TRACTOR TRAYLOR and LUCIOUS HARRIS this past week. That means if (when?) they renounce ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS, they'll have only $24 million committed to salaries next season. That will leave them with somewhere between $23- and $26 million (depending on the new cap) to take to the free agent market. If their next GM knows what he's doing, that's enough to buy a top-shelf shooting guard (MICHAEL REDD or RAY ALLEN) along with a starting-quality center (SAM DALEMBERT or STROMILE SWIFT). .

Nothing new there. Of course if we lose Z we chase a Dalembert. Apparently to, we are chasing a shooting guard.......

Power forward Udonis Haslem is a restricted free agent who could be lured away. The Heat can sign Haslem to a contract starting at the average NBA salary (approximately $5.5 million). But if a team with salary-cap space offers Haslem anything more than that, the Heat won't be able to match it.

The Cavaliers and Hawks are expected to pursue Haslem, and they both have ample salary-cap space.

''The market will tell us what he's going to do, once free agency starts and the bidding starts,'' Riley said. ``We love Udonis. He's a great player, he's got a great character, he's a very intelligent basketball player, he's got super hands. He's a little bit undersized, but I don't buy that. He did a great job for us the last two years, and he should be rewarded.''

Damon Jones, who started all but 16 games at point guard this season, also has an option in his contract that would make him a free agent. Should he opt out, the Heat would have to cut into its mid-level exception to re-sign him.

This is like the Boozer, Arenas situation with Haslem. With a resigned Ilgauskas, Haslem would be a good fit. Damon Jones is no priority, but an option if we are swinging and missing in free agency.

 

[Karma]

Cavalier's Clearing Cap Space

Cavs proactive

The Cavaliers aren't sitting back on their heels. They are trying to create some more cap space.

They have just $23.3 million in committed salaries for next year with the eight players remaining on their roster.

That will give them about $25 million to spend in free agency. They want more.

''We're as active as the devil looking for ways to get space,'' Warkentien said. ''We're trying to get involved in the draft. We'll see how things fall in the next 10 days.

''We're active. We're not waiting for the phone to ring. We're making calls. We're all about creating flexibility. We're doing everything we can to make us more flexible.''

It now appears the Cavaliers will renounce all their free agents, including center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

By renouncing him, that would erase his $15.4 million cap hold off their books. But that won't preclude them from trying to re-sign him with available cap space -- the team's current stance.

If things broke down with Ilgauskas, however, they would still be able to use him in a sign-and-trade, even if they renounced him. Others who will likely be renounced are DeSagana Diop, Dajuan Wagner and Scott Williams.

 

[Glen Infante]

I am not sure Haslem would be as good as he was last season if he didn't play next to a true center. Playing next to Shaq has really helped his game, the same goes with PF's playing next to Zydrunas.

Has anyone noticed that after Chris Webber was traded from Sac, his numbers decreased? Things like that happens when you don't play next to a center who draws much attention. Brad Miller really helped out Chris.

If the Cavs get Udonis and sign Dalambert, then our front line would be extremely weak. I am not in favor of that at all.

And what about Drew Gooden? Or Anderson Varejao? Drew still deserves a chance to keep his starting spot after having the best season of his career, and AV is our PF of the future. I don't think adding more PF's with starting potential is a good thing. It can cause alot of lockeroom problems (Nene/KMart).

 

[Karma]

Haslem is only an option if we do look to trade Gooden. This is all purely speculation. Haslem can be a little like Traylor and play spot minutes as an undersized center. I dont see Udonis here, but there has been talk about Drew's future, so names like aslem's will come up.

 

[NarlCavs]

I agree on Haslem. He's only an option if Gooden gets traded.

With all their cap space the Cavs are going to be linked with every decent FA available.

If Z isn't back then the Cavs have to get a quality scoring threat to either replace him at C or replace Gooden at PF. I agree with Infante that a Dalembert/Haslem duo wouldn't be the greatest. They're both solid players in the right situation but would provide little offense.

I don't buy the Bonzi Wells rumor. I think that may have been from Roger Brown so that says it all. Wells isn't really a good fit and the Cavs don't need any possible problems or distractions he might bring. I also don't think they want to take up $8 million of their cap space on Bonzi.

 

[Cleveland56]

All i know is that this post-season has lasted forever. I can't wait to get this train rolling....All this waiting around stinks.

The three free agents I think they will target:
Dalembert, Simmons, and Antonio Daniels.

 

[Glen Infante]

I've chatted with CBBI about the Bonzi Wells rumors. He stated to me that if we traded for him, we would immediatly decline his option and keep the cap space worth about 8 million. Sneaky move but it would help us sign a big timer AND Z with more comfort on spending more money to fill up the roster.

 

[E-Light]

I'm not sure why memphis would take on salary, they're trying to dump there first round pick. Why would they trade a contract that has no bearing on their cap, and accept salary in return? Especially from us who have nothing to offer of significance. They don't want to take on contracts which would be why we would be trading with them in the first place.

 

[CleveRocks]

Cavs officials confirm

the team recently worked out former University of Minnesota star big man Rick Rickert, who has been playing pro ball in Europe.

From a Roger Brown article.

I looked him up. He is the guy that Kevin Garnett sucker punched playing one on one while he was trying to make the t-wolves. 6-11 223 according to euroleague stats.

He is supposed to be a 3-4 with an outside shot. Dinged at his college exit for being a weak rebounder in the big ten. (played for Minnesota).

Interesting we would give him a look. could be the kind of second rounder that could make it off the bench.

 

[E-Light]

He must have really been working over garnett. *L* We gotta get this guy!

 

[Glen Infante]

E, I'm guessing that Memphis wants to dump Bonzi because of his locker room troubles. I am pretty sure that if we did deal with Memphis, they would want to take Z out of our hands.

 

[E-Light]

Bonzi has a team option, they can dump him by not picking it up. And I doubt we trade Z for just cap space, we can do that by renouncing him, unless that 19th pick is that important to us we feel someone could add more value to the team than Z does, doubtful. I don't see a trade with memphis except for their first round pick.

I'm sure Fratello would love to have Z, but does Z really fit their team? Their franchise player, gasol, is a pretty similar front court player, I'd think they'd be in the market for more of a big bodied banger, who can help clean the glass and make up for Gasol's defensive mistakes. I don't see Z trade an option with memphis, of course i could be wrong

 

[Marty Mar]

I would trade Z to memphis if Mike Miller was involved. That boy can shoot the lights out. And of course, the hometown boy James Posey would be nice to have.

Package either of those guys with the 19th pick and Lorenzen Wright and we will be ok.

 

[PIP]

I would trade Z to memphis if Mike Miller was involved. That boy can shoot the lights out. And of course, the hometown boy James Posey would be nice to have.

Package either of those guys with the 19th pick and Lorenzen Wright and we will be ok.

hell no....... MIKE MILLER couldn't guard a parked car... i think LUKE JAX could be everything mike miller is and more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[West Remy]

^

Exactly. I would rather see what Luke can do than bring on Miller and log-jam things even further. Posey is a nice player but I'm not all that hot on him either.