Here's what I've learned this basketball season: the Cavs are the deepest team in the league, which is a main reason as to why they'll win the title this year. However another thing I have learned is that being extremely good with your starting five is better than being 10 players deep. So what does this mean for Cleveland this year? That instead of paying Ben Wallace, Wally and Z superstar money when you could pay Andris Biedrins a fair contract, Andre Iguodala a bit overpriced contract, and LeBron that money and use the rest on some quality bench players. Basically use the Boston and San Antonio ideal, which is the new two running back ideal in the NFL. Many teams are doing it, not so many are successful.
Well let's talk about the possibilities. I've been saying that Z is on his way out for four years now, and for four years he has proven me wrong. Well sort of, he is definitely not as solid as he was two years ago but that mid-range shot he has and his defense help out a lot. Getting Andris, even if this is the only move they make it will dramatically improve their future. He has that stellar defense already and maybe even better rebounding. All he needs to do is learn that mid-range shot and we are set for 9 million for six years! Hopefully they are able to keep Z and relieve themselves of Ben Wallace and his terrible contract. And hopefully Z will use his early termination option and re-sign for cheap along with Anderson Varejao. Even if they don't, finding filler big men that will sign for less than they should will be easy with a slumping economy and the chance to win multiple titles while playing with LeBrownie.
Next would be Mo Williams, as good as a pick-up he was, you have to wonder how much better the Cavs would be with say Rip Hamilton or Kevin Martin. Trading Mo for either of those players would dramatically increase the long term future and winning multiple titles. Rip brings some sweet shooting and a winning pedigree, while Kevin Martin doesn't have the winning pedigree, he is a younger offensive powerhouse. I would like Iggy better but I don't think he is anywhere near as available as Rip or Martin. Just do the whole Celtics thing and put the young point guard (Boobie Gibson) to run the show, with little responsibility.
If getting one of these players isn't possible, whether salary-wise or you gave up all your picks for Andris, then maybe JR Smith is still able to be stolen. Why wouldn't Delonte West and JJ Hickson's "potential" for Smith be a good trade for both teams? The Nuggets get some more mental stability (the "get mine" players on that team are numerous) and a little salary cap relief at the least. Maybe throw in a future 2nd round pick with it. Plus his salary is still fairly cheap and he is a bonafide scorer. That young core would be able to grow in to multiple titles together, maybe even would take price cuts to stick together.
At the least I would like for them to get Andris and then sign Joey Graham cause he's a better backup than Wally. Trade Sasha for Joey if you have to. If your one of those fans for the team chemistry who thinks all this is just horrid, let me ask this: Is improving your team at the expense of a few players really gonna cause your team to implode and not win games? Sure I will agree losing Z would hurt and losing Andy and Mo Williams would hurt a little less but hurt none the less. Getting all of this to happen in one off season is very unlikely, but I'd like to think getting at least Andris is very likely and Joey Graham is a more than serviceable back-up. The draft is also another thing we would need to utilize seeing as we haven't had many picks in the last five years and some of them have been very bad choices.
Using conventional wisdom, none of this will happen. So say they take it normal and easy this off season, here is a quick draft and free agent strategy. Going after Joey Graham instead of Wally is still possible and re-signing Andy becomes a top priority. Then drafting Tyler Hansbrough is a possibility at our spot and a good choice seeing as he will be twice the player Darnell Jackson and JJ Hickson will ever become. For the second round pick we are looking at players like Jodie Meeks, Tyler Smith, AJ Price and any potential centers, or even a trade with someone else. If we draft Hansbrough, then trying to trade Ben Wallace and his huge contract along with JJ Hickson or Darnell Jackson, Sasha and our second round pick are all good ideas. Picking up Scottie Renyolds or Dominic James, both of which probably will not be drafted, could be a good idea to push or at least back up Boobie and Mo.
posted by: Jason
I got these pictures off espn.com so I'm sure they are copyrighted to Reuters or AP.
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