| Trade Deadline - can the Cavaliers help themselves Authored by Keith Berzanske - February 21, 2007 - 1:15 pm
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First, let's take a look at the players who might be available and would interest the Cavaliers:
RAY ALLEN
I already covered in a recent article why Allen would be a good fit for the Cavaliers, and I received several scathing emails telling me that there was no way the Cavs can pull this off and that I am living in fantasyland. While I'm not buying that (players get traded for lots of reason these days, and getting equal market value in return is not the only consideration. Look at what the Warriors gave up to get Baron Davis, for example...), it does seem unlikely that Allen is the guy who will end up in a Cavaliers uniform.
In my opinion, a Ray Allen/Vince Carter swap is a trade that make great sense for both sides, assuming the Nets aren't moving Jason Kidd. Allen is under contract for a couple more years, which would give the Nets some security and enable them to compete at the same level they have been. Meanwhile, if Carter chooses to take his otion, the Sonics will still have a star player, and if he doesn't, they will have lots of cap room, so it works either way for them.
JASON KIDD
Speaking of Kidd, the Cavaliers could be a player here also. This would probably take a package of Larry Hughes and Anderson Varejao. It would be tough to give up Varejao, and I'm not sure that Kidd is the type of point guard that the Cavaliers need. Yes, we need someone to run the offense, but someone with some semblance of an outside shot would also help. A better fit would be:
MIKE BIBBY
The more I have thought about Bibby, the more I am convinced that he would be a perfect fit for the Cavaliers. He is not having his best yera, so he can be had a bit easier, but I think with a change of scenery he would revert to being the reliable crunch-time performer he has always been. HE can run the offense but also hit from otuside and has shown he can score some points.
The problem is - what would the Kings want from the Cavaliers? A Hughes/Bibby swap straight up makes some sense. Both players are about the same age, both are not having their best years, both make about the same salary...but is Hughes a good fit for the Kings. Maybe...he has played some point in the past, and the Kings certainly run more. I think Hughes would thrive in a more uptempo system.
One interesting wrinkle that I thought of was to offer to also take Ron Artest off the Kings hands. If the Cavs threw in Sasha Pavlovic and Damon Jones, the salaries would match up. The Kings would get a young small forward who can score and a backup point. If the Kings want more, offer to throw in either Daniel Gibson or Shannon Brown, since there won't be many minutes for these guys anyway.
Artest would be a risk to take on, obviously, but he would provide a defensive presence the Cavaliers do not have, he would be a quality third/fourth offensive option, and he would certainyl respect LeBron James. I liken it to Dennis ROdman coming into Chicago and being willing to accept his role behind Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. Artest may be a different kind of crazy, but in the right situation he could be a huge asset. He made a big difference for the Kings last year (they almost pulled off a huge upset in round 1 of the playoffs) and the Kings made some questionable personnel moves, jettisoning Bonzi Wells and Coach Rick Adelman.
I'd be happy just to get Bibby , who would be a huge improvement, and I think that Pavlovic could step in and take Hughes's minutes without much dropoff, if the teams were to do an even swap.
It's possible that a third team may also need to get involved, if the Kings don't want Hughes. Minnesota might be a possibility, with Mike James available.
RASHARD LEWIS
I'm not sure that Lewis is a good enough fit for the Cavaliers and the Sonics can probably get a better package elsewhere.
SCOTTIE PIPPEN
Pippen is a free agent, and would be an excellent addition for the Cavaliers. I don't even care how good he can play. He would be invaluable in the locker room, with his championship experience, and he's bound to still have something left in the tank. Think of the wisdom he could impart to guys like James and Pavlovic about playing the defensive end of the floor. I'd love to see Pippen here, but I think the Lakers have the edge, if they are interested, because he already knows the offense and has a relationship with Phil Jackson.
THE COMPETITION
What will the other teams in the East do?
DETROIT
Look for them to stand pat. They made their move with Chris Webber and they have to be ecstatic with the results so far.
INDIANA
I think the Pacers have done all they can do also, after making their huge trade with Golden State. They'd love to move Jamall Tinsley, but that's not going to happen.
TORONTO
The Raptors could be in the market for a center. They do have two quality point guards in TJ Ford and Jose Calderon, but the question is whether they really want to part with either one. Ford is a bit of an injury concern. Plus, the Raptors are playing so well, they may just want to stand pat until the offseason.
CHICAGO
The Bulls are holding out for Kevin Garnett, but it's doubtful that he will be traded now. Even the offseason is a remote possibility, but if the Bulls think there is any chance, they will hold on to their pieces. Pau Gasol actually may be a better fit because of his ability to score down low, but the Bulls seems hesitant to give up Luol Deng. Also, the Grizzlies may be hesitant - if they get Greg Oden in the draft, he would look awfully good with Gasol and Mike Miller. I don't look for anything much to happen here. They may be able to move PJ Brown's expiring contract though.
NEW JERSEY
The Nets are the most intriguing team at the deadline. They may stay pat for now, or they may blow up their whole team. I find it hard to believe they would trade one without trading the other. Either way, they may not even make the playoffs anyway. OF course, that's all the more reason to move Kidd and Carter now while they have value and they are in demand.
ORLANDO
The Magic are interesting because they have a number of ways that they can go. They have an asset in Grant Hill's expiring contract, but Hill is also a valuable memebr of the team. If they move Hill for another piece, they may be no better off for a playoff run anyway. They may be better off letting Hill's contract come off the books at the end of the season and then seeing if they can be a player in the free agent market. Carter would be a prime target, being that he is from the area.
The Magic also have an asset in the rights to Fran Vasquez, who has yet to come over from Spain. They could certainly beef up any package by throwing in Vasquez. He's not helping htem now anyway, so there's nothing tangibly lost, except the potential of what he might become.
MIAMI
The Heat are in a situation similar to the Magic, except they are already better equipped for a playoff run. THey are also a major competitor with the Cavaliers for a point guard, and have one piece to offer that the Cavs don't : James Posey's expiring deal. However, they don't have much to offer in the way of talent, and whoever does come in will have to share some time with Jason Williams (unless Williams goes in the deal).
WASHINGTON
I don't look for the Wizards to do anything except wait for Antawn Jamison to come back. They could use another defender, but who is really out there.
I don't think any other teams in the East are contenders (sorry Knicks fans) - there are basically 9 teams fighting for 8 spots. With the Webber addition, the Pistons now look like the team to beat, but the Cavaliers are right there, and with the right move could be considered the favorite once again.
If the Cavaliers do decide to stand pat, they are going to have to make some adjustments to their style of play and get the most out of the pieces that they do have. The tempo, at least for part of the game, needs to speed up. Larry Hughes would benefit most from this. Daniel Gibson and Shannon Brown shoudl play more, so that they can be counted on in the playoffs if need be. Their youth, along with Sasha Pavlovic, gives the Cavs energy that they need.
Even LeBron James needs to adjust a bit. For whatever reason, LeBron has seemed a bit off mentally at times this year. I'm sure he is frustrated with the offense and the terrible performance by the backcourt as a whole. He is also dealing with his free throw shooting slump. But LeBron is a special talent, and just needs to get back to having fun, and making plays. Hopefully his time at All-Star weekend will give him a boost and he will be able to lead the team to a strong playoff run like he did last season. But I'm sure he'd agree that Danny Ferry can make his life a bit easier by getting him some help in areas where the Cavaliers need it. Mike Bibby is the best fit for the Cavaliers at this time that can probably be had without sacrificing too much. The Cavaliers should do what they can to make this move. |
