Larry Sanders

[bigfigga12]

(Warning Long)
Reportedly he's leaning towards coming back to the NBA, the Mavs flew him in past couple days.

With Lebron at roughly 35 mins/game and Jefferson being the pleasant surprise he's been, I no longer think it's imperative the Cavs use their large 10 million exception in pursuit of the long coveted backup 3 to Lebron. This season especially, in more than happy with Jefferson filling the 13 mins at 3 and 7 or so elsewhere or at the 3 with Bron moving around.

Since Sanders was bought out and The Bucks used the stretch provision on him, he's being paid 3 million/year through his buyout and as a free agent, a team without cap space can only offer Sanders the minimum!

The only 2 teams currently with space are the land if centers in Philly, and Portland. The Cavs however, can sign any free agent and absolve the signing with anybody their two trade exceptions acquired with Haywood and Miller trades to Portland, for roughly 10 and 2.9 million respectively.

Since a backup 3 is no longer a glaring need this season (Jefferson turns 36 next season) adding another rim protector would round off this roster nicekt, and an elite one to boot.

Advantages in signing Sanders:

1) Can trump teams who can offer more PT with Sanders with an opportunity to get paid more, be on a championship caliber team, and have the ability to ease himself back into the rigors if the NBA with a carved niche role, versus carrying the burden in meeting expectations on a minimum deal.

2) Mozgov is only true rim protector. TT abs Andy are finesse, hustle players. Sanders gives an elite 2nd shot blocking option.

3) Sanders averaged 2.8 blocks per Gabe DVD was ranked 6th in defensive efficiency in entire NbA few short years back.

4) Sanders can be sold on his opportunity and part of the future's plan. Great insurance on Andy's health/expiring deal, and Mozgov's expiring. He can compete with Mozgov as starter next season and worst case be ideal backup at center.

5) could be had possibly for Miller's 2.9 million exception. This would save Gilbert tens of millions in luxury tax not using the large exception on this years roster, can keep the 10 million exception in their back pocket as insurance in case a top player goes down, and then can potentially use it this offseason after the tax bill and before it's expiration to add to next seasons roster and most likely the young backup 3 the Cavs have long coveted.

Summary...

Sanders is an all star rim protecting, shot blocking center that is available without having to trade any assets, and can add to this seasons roster without having to use the Cavs biggest asset moving forward with the Haywood exception, who provided tremendous insurance/security at the uncertain center position going into the offseason... All this CHEAP! Joe Harris is either cut, or shipped out for a 2nd to a team desperate for shooters.

Sanders then can receive the Cavs mid level exception next season, which will be higher with the cap increase, and then the following season can receive it again when the cap doubles/explodes, all the while collecting his 3mill/season buyout $ from the Bucks, and completing his 3rd season with the Cavs which going into the following season, would put him in position to sign an extension with the Cavs carrying full bird rights to go over the cap.

Win/win/win
Ding ding ding!

 

[RonG]

You really need to post negatives as well. There are a ton.

 

[The Oi]

Nah.

Why's he back? Verge of bk?

No thanks.

 

[Danny Arison]

Rather have a SF, we are stacked at the front.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

Provided he's in a good place mentally, I'd love to add Sanders as a backup to Mozgov. Not sure what the deal is with Kaun, but perhaps he could also be shipped out for a 2nd.

 

[Man Called X]

(Warning Long)
Reportedly he's leaning towards coming back to the NBA, the Mavs flew him in past couple days.

With Lebron at roughly 35 mins/game and Jefferson being the pleasant surprise he's been, I no longer think it's imperative the Cavs use their large 10 million exception in pursuit of the long coveted backup 3 to Lebron. This season especially, in more than happy with Jefferson filling the 13 mins at 3 and 7 or so elsewhere or at the 3 with Bron moving around.

Since Sanders was bought out and The Bucks used the stretch provision on him, he's being paid 3 million/year through his buyout and as a free agent, a team without cap space can only offer Sanders the minimum!

The only 2 teams currently with space are the land if centers in Philly, and Portland. The Cavs however, can sign any free agent and absolve the signing with anybody their two trade exceptions acquired with Haywood and Miller trades to Portland, for roughly 10 and 2.9 million respectively.

Since a backup 3 is no longer a glaring need this season (Jefferson turns 36 next season) adding another rim protector would round off this roster nicekt, and an elite one to boot.

Advantages in signing Sanders:

1) Can trump teams who can offer more PT with Sanders with an opportunity to get paid more, be on a championship caliber team, and have the ability to ease himself back into the rigors if the NBA with a carved niche role, versus carrying the burden in meeting expectations on a minimum deal.

2) Mozgov is only true rim protector. TT abs Andy are finesse, hustle players. Sanders gives an elite 2nd shot blocking option.

3) Sanders averaged 2.8 blocks per Gabe DVD was ranked 6th in defensive efficiency in entire NbA few short years back.

4) Sanders can be sold on his opportunity and part of the future's plan. Great insurance on Andy's health/expiring deal, and Mozgov's expiring. He can compete with Mozgov as starter next season and worst case be ideal backup at center.

5) could be had possibly for Miller's 2.9 million exception. This would save Gilbert tens of millions in luxury tax not using the large exception on this years roster, can keep the 10 million exception in their back pocket as insurance in case a top player goes down, and then can potentially use it this offseason after the tax bill and before it's expiration to add to next seasons roster and most likely the young backup 3 the Cavs have long coveted.

Summary...

Sanders is an all star rim protecting, shot blocking center that is available without having to trade any assets, and can add to this seasons roster without having to use the Cavs biggest asset moving forward with the Haywood exception, who provided tremendous insurance/security at the uncertain center position going into the offseason... All this CHEAP! Joe Harris is either cut, or shipped out for a 2nd to a team desperate for shooters.

Sanders then can receive the Cavs mid level exception next season, which will be higher with the cap increase, and then the following season can receive it again when the cap doubles/explodes, all the while collecting his 3mill/season buyout $ from the Bucks, and completing his 3rd season with the Cavs which going into the following season, would put him in position to sign an extension with the Cavs carrying full bird rights to go over the cap.

Win/win/win
Ding ding ding!

You can't use TPE's to sign a free agent. They are only used in trades. Most we could offer Sanders is vet min like every other capped team.

 

[Rich]

Its the old huge reward/low risk big man I've read about before on here. Last time it was in the form of Andrew Bynum, who then proceeded to help destroy a locker room while providing nothing on the court. Larry Sanders is capable of the same shit. Pass.

 

[Hydroponic3385]

You can't use TPE's to sign a free agent. They are only used in trades. Most we could offer Sanders is vet min like every other capped team.

You're mostly right. TPE's can be used in trades and to claim waived players. They cannot be used to sign free agents - thus cannot be used for Sanders.

 

[Man Called X]

You're mostly right. TPE's can be used in trades and to claim waived players. They cannot be used to sign free agents - thus cannot be used for Sanders.

I forgot about the waived player aspect as it's so rare for players to not clear waivers in the NBA.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Its the old huge reward/low risk big man I've read about before on here. Last time it was in the form of Andrew Bynum, who then proceeded to help destroy a locker room while providing nothing on the court. Larry Sanders is capable of the same shit. Pass.

Bit of a difference here in that there was a pretty big financial incentive to keep Bynum around -- at least for awhile. I'm fairly confident that Blatt and Griff would cut Sanders loose in a heartbeat if he started causing problems.

That being said, I don't think we really have the minutes here that would interest him anyway.

 

[HurricaneKid]

I'm a Cavs fan that now resides in Wisconsin. So when I can't get a Cavs fix I scratch my NBA addiction with the Bucks.

I can tell you without much reservation that this is a horrific idea.

First off, its been 3 years since Sanders was the player you describe. He wasn't a fraction of that player the last two years. At his best he is a great defensive presence but an offensive liability. In a big way. He can really only play min at the 5 because of his offensive limitations. TT looks like Wilt compared to him.

He has legitimate demons that he battles using marijuana. I tend to think weed isn't not that big a deal but within the scope of the NBA's drug policy it really is. He has never indicated he had any inclination to stop smoking and that got him 4-6 positive tests over a two year period (not certain when the 1st or 2nd positive test was as it isn't reported until the 3rd time).

He is a REAL problem within the locker room as he is fairly unstable and there were reports of multiple physical altercations over the years. Accountability goes out the window with this guy who demanded, and got, a buyout 3 months into a 4 year deal.

LeBron, James Jones, et al keep this team on a tight leash and hold players accountable. Doing this with Sanders simply wouldn't work and would only lead to explosive outbursts. Furthermore, there isn't any real benefit to bringing him in. You risk a Championship level locker room so you can take 3rd string C min away from Andy and give them to Sanders? A risk makes sense for Dallas because they don't have a single defensive player in their front court. He fills a gaping hole. The Cavs have no such hole and wouldn't even get a benefit if this risk paid off.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I'm a Cavs fan that now resides in Wisconsin. So when I can't get a Cavs fix I scratch my NBA addiction with the Bucks.

I can tell you without much reservation that this is a horrific idea.

First off, its been 3 years since Sanders was the player you describe. He wasn't a fraction of that player the last two years. At his best he is a great defensive presence but an offensive liability. In a big way. He can really only play min at the 5 because of his offensive limitations. TT looks like Wilt compared to him.

He has legitimate demons that he battles using marijuana. I tend to think weed isn't not that big a deal but within the scope of the NBA's drug policy it really is. He has never indicated he had any inclination to stop smoking and that got him 4-6 positive tests over a two year period (not certain when the 1st or 2nd positive test was as it isn't reported until the 3rd time).

He is a REAL problem within the locker room as he is fairly unstable and there were reports of multiple physical altercations over the years. Accountability goes out the window with this guy who demanded, and got, a buyout 3 months into a 4 year deal.

LeBron, James Jones, et al keep this team on a tight leash and hold players accountable. Doing this with Sanders simply wouldn't work and would only lead to explosive outbursts. Furthermore, there isn't any real benefit to bringing him in. You risk a Championship level locker room so you can take 3rd string C min away from Andy and give them to Sanders? A risk makes sense for Dallas because they don't have a single defensive player in their front court. He fills a gaping hole. The Cavs have no such hole and wouldn't even get a benefit if this risk paid off.

Even with all that said, I'd still do it.

Bringing him in and then cutting him immediately is easy. Costs you barely anything.....other than the time spent recruiting him and negotiating the deal.

If he is even 50-60% of what he was when he played in Milwaukee, he's good enough to be a 4th big off the bench.

The Cavs have dealt with a similar player in the past (Delonte) and organizationally, are equipped for it. They also have a clear and established pecking order among players, unlike Milwaukee, who lacked the player stature to combat him a bit in the locker room.

If he would play for the minimum, I would do it in a heartbeat. He's only 26 years old. On the slim chance he gets his career back on track, you would have stolen a starting caliber center for nothing. If he doesn't, he gets cut in a few weeks and everyone moves on.

 

[HurricaneKid]

Even with all that said, I'd still do it.

Bringing him in and then cutting him immediately is easy. Costs you barely anything.....other than the time spent recruiting him and negotiating the deal.

If he is even 50-60% of what he was when he played in Milwaukee, he's good enough to be a 4th big off the bench.

The Cavs have dealt with a similar player in the past (Delonte) and organizationally, are equipped for it. They also have a clear and established pecking order among players, unlike Milwaukee, who lacked the player stature to combat him a bit in the locker room.

If he would play for the minimum, I would do it in a heartbeat. He's only 26 years old. On the slim chance he gets his career back on track, you would have stolen a starting caliber center for nothing. If he doesn't, he gets cut in a few weeks and everyone moves on.

I really don't think he does anything "for the minimum". And we can't even offer him any PT.

The Bucks had Kidd at the helm last year when the fit his the shan with Sanders. And if you don't think they had a clear pecking order you don't know the Bucks (it would have been true the previous year when they won 15 games, but not last year). A week before their trip to London the team attempted to hold him accountable for his outbursts (officials HATE him and he takes every opportunity to show them up) and inconsistent play. His response was to have an altercation in the locker room for which he was sent home by Kidd. I'm telling you, there is little chance of getting through to this guy.

And you keep overstating his contributions. He was outstanding in 2012-13. He was injured (or just plain awful) almost all of 13-14, and was pedestrian at best last year before he left the team. He said he didn't play at all last year. I'm fairly confident he and his crew essentially reshot a Method Man/Method Man movie frame by frame over the last 10 months.

Our 4th big is Andy. And while I am normally quite concerned about him getting hurt, its pretty hard to so playing 8-12 min a night. And the "upgrade" of Sanders over Andy simply doesn't exist.

If he had his meltdown during the Bucks 15 win season I would understand. I would take a risk on a guy that couldn't deal with losing at that level. But the Bucks completely changed over their culture. They brought in winners and held their players accountable. They went from a 15 win team to a team that took the 6 seed and gave the Bulls ALL KINDS of problems the first 5 games before bowing out in G6. EVERYONE on the team was excited to be winning. Everyone except Sanders, that is.

I'm not saying Sanders isn't worth the headache. I'm saying when you take a risk there needs to be an upside. Getting decent garbage time minutes is not a reward for taking a risk like that. Especially when its at a spot we have covered quite well.

 

[Soda]

This guy... Still?

 

[Cassity14]

Remember when Dallas brought in Lamar Odom? Wasn't that the year after they won the title?

That move completely imploded their locker room. Removing him from the team didn't fix anything.

That's what the Cavs would be risking on this scrub.