Well folks, the trade deadline came and passed, with no moves being made by the Cavs. It was a crazy week, as the Cavs were linked to Amare Stoudemire, Shaq, Richard Jefferson, Antwan Jamison, Caron Butler, and Marcus Camby. All in all, it mounted to nothing, and the more I think about it, I think it was a good idea. Now I know I said the Cavs were a big man short, and I still think they are, but I did not want them bending over backwards to get someone who was just going to help us this year and next year. I said I would trade Wally and picks for a solid player, and only add Hickson in a deal for a superstar. Here are some positives I see from us not making a move:
Keep draft picks- While the Cavs will be selecting pretty low in the draft, the ability to draft young talent will do us a lot of good. This years NBA draft class is pretty weak, but with 1 pick in the first round, and 1 in the second (we traded 1 second rounder last year, but have the Bulls second rounder for the Ben Wallace trade), the Cavs give themselves a good chance of landing a solid rotation player. Also, the more young talent you surround around LeBron, the better chance he will stay. This is because if one of the young players we draft begin to develop into a good player (JJ Hickson?), the more incentive he will have to stay and build a good team. Also, good players can be found in late parts of a draft, and even in the second round. Carlos Boozer, Monta Ellis, Michael Redd, Daniel Gibson, Ramon Sessions, Paul Milsap, Ronny Turiaf, Chris Duhon, Trevor Ariza, Mo Williams, Matt Barnes, and Luis Scola were all drafted in the second round. David Lee was drafted with the 30th pick in the first round, Kevin Martin was drafted 26th, Josh Howard was drafted 29th, and Leandro Barbosa was drafted 28th. My point is, while you might not find a superstar late in the draft, you can find yourself some formidable players to help build your team.
Team chemistry is kept- While I think this is somewhat overrated, I have come to appreciate it in the past few days. The Cavs bench seems like a close knit group, and after a player does well they all seem to cheer very hard. After seeing the bench go crazy after LeBron's third quarter performance versus Milwaukee, I thought that this team was a very close knit group. In that same game, Z came to the defense of Anderson after Charlie Villanueva knocked him to the ground. In years past this did not happen. I remember when Z gashed his forehead from a Rasheed Wallace elbow, and no one came to his defense. Having a teammates back is something that is evident in this team, and they all get along very well. I noticed this last year with the Celtics. If some of you have seen that commercial where its clips of all the Cavs players talking about the team and winning a championship, you kind of get my idea.
Teams were asking for too much- Earlier, I said that a team was bound to make a stupid move, and none of them did. Phoenix wanted Wally's contract instead of Ben Wallace for Shaq, the Clippers wanted JJ Hickson instead of a first round pick for Camby, and the Suns wanted 2 picks, and Anderson, to go with Hickson for Amare. Camby is not worth Wally and JJ, you would disrupt team chemistry by trading so much for Amare (while gutting all your picks), the Wizards were not trading Antwan Jamison or Caron Butler (this boggles my mind the most, that team is horrible, and they can't even get out of the first round of the playoffs) and Shaq's mammoth contract was not worth it (he would cost us $40 million, $20 million for his salary, and $20 million for luxury tax). I honestly thought a team would give in, and trade a player based on a financial hardship they were having, much like the Hornets did by trading Tyson Chandler for 2 expiring deals. I guess I was wrong.
Salary Cap Space- By not taking on a contract after this from trading Wally, the Cavs were able to create much cap room. They can use this money to help re-sign Anderson Varaejo or bring in a solid free agent with some of our Mid Level Exception money. I don't think he is worth starting money, but he is definitely worth what top bench reserves make. Also, the luxury tax we will pay next year will decrease, as opposed to us taking on a longer contract from a trade.
I was disappointed that we were not able to swing a deal, especially with the assets we had, but teams were demanding too much, and sometimes the best deals are the ones that are not made.
I haven't written about the Browns and Indians lately, so I will write some tidbits quickly.
Browns
-The Browns need linebackers this offseason. Aaron Curry from Wake Forest seems to be a guy we could get with our 5th pick. He is big, tough, and physical. If he is not there at the 5th pick, I suggest trading down, adding some picks (we only have four picks!), and getting USC LB Rey Mealuga. This kid is nasty, and he is very fast in pursuit. He will be available from picks 10-15.
-If the Browns let Sean Jones go (they did not franchise him), then they should look into drafting a safety as well. The Browns really need defense in this draft, especially linebackers and safeties. We need linebackers to put some pressure on the QB's, and take some pressure off our secondary.
-The Browns should draft a RB later in the draft. Good RB's can be found anywhere in the draft. Michael Turner was drafted in the 5th round, Steve Slaton was drafted in the 3rd round, Ryan Grant went undrafted, Brandon Jacobs was drafted in the 4th round, and Brian Westbrook was drafted in the 3rd round. There isn't really a standout RB in this draft. Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno are the top two RB's, and I wouldn't touch either of them, defense is a bigger need.
-The Browns should trade Derek Anderson. They should pick up his $5 million roster bonus, then trade him. This is because after he gets his roster bonus, his base salary is very small. Teams will not have to eat up this bonus, as the Browns will have paid it. This will make him much more attractive on the market, and the Browns are in need of draft picks.
-The team needs to hand the team over to Brady Quinn. While he didn't play much, he was much smarter with the ball, and seemed to be more of a leader. Also, we don't need a QB competition, because when you have 2 QB's, you have no QB's. Remember Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb? Remember Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson?
Indians
-Depending on how their spring training goes, the Indians should give Matt LaPorta or Michael Brantley a shot at cracking the opening day roster. From what I have read from these guys, they project to be good major leaguers, especially LaPorta. I do not want David Delluci trying to split time with Ben Francisco. Francisco is a good fourth outfielder, and a good insurance policy if someone goes down.
-The bullpen might actually be a strength on this team. Rafael Perez, Joe Smith, Kerry Wood, Jensen Lewis are all very solid relievers. If Rafael Betancourt and Kobayashi can get their acts together, we will have 6 solid arms in the bullpen. Add in wildcards Anthony Reyes, and Adam Miller, the Indians could have a good bullpen.
-The Indians season will depend on a few things in my opinion. One, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez have to come back healthy, and play like they are capable of. If they can do this, the Indians will be a dangerous sleeper team. Two, Fausto Carmona needs to turn around a disappointing 2008 campaign and Cliff Lee needs to continue his excellent pitching. If this happens, then the Indians will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the MLB. Three, Kerry Wood needs to stay healthy, if he can stay injury free, the Indians will have themselves their first reliable closer in a couple years. Four, the rest of the rotation really needs to step up. Scott Lewis, Carl Pavano, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, and Zach Jackson all need to step up and take the last 3 spots in the rotation. Add in the fact that Westbrook should be coming back sometime in the middle of the year, the Indians need solid pitching from this group.
-I really think the Indians can win the Central this year. We improved our bullpen, added a solid 3B, and have 2 solid outfielders waiting in the wings. The fact that we have Fausto Carmona, Victor Martinez, and Travis Hafner all coming back from injury helps a lot. Also, none of the teams in the Central did anything, Detroit still has no bullpen arms, Chicago is a year older, Kansas City still sucks, and Minnesota will always be a thorn in our side, but they are beatable.
Well, I know I haven't written in awhile, I will try to keep everyone updated with my thoughts. With NFL Draft coming up, and MLB spring training on the horizon, I will be writing more about the Browns and Indians. Thanks for reading, and go Cleveland!
-Raz
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Fun Week Ahead......
Well, it has been a couple weeks since I last wrote. Sorry guys! Last Sunday, the Cavs got beat by the LA Lakers, snapping our 23 game winning streak at home. I won't delve into what we should have done, but for those of you who did watch know that we need a big man. Lamar Odom killed us as he had 28 points and 17 rebounds. Numerous times the Lakers grabbed offensive boards, and they made us pay.
With all this said, everyone was calling for a trade after the game. I agree, and I have said this since early in the season. With the deadline only 9 days away, trade talks are hot around the NBA. The struggling economy has really hurt some teams as they wish to get under the salary cap tax threshold. Even the Phoenix Suns are thinking about trading on of their best player Amare Stoudemire (we have no chance of getting him). We have an expiring contract worth $14 million with Wally, $7 million expiring contract with Eric Snow, two cheap rookie contracts of JJ Hickson and Darnell Jackson, and a first round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. So, it seems that the Cavs could really help some of the bad, economically struggling teams, but according to Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer, they won't. He has reported that the Cavs will probably sit out next week's NBA trade deadline. Now, here are the parameters in which I make a trade. I will trade Wally, and a first rounder for a bigman whose contract ends in 2010, this means a Marcus Camby or Brad Miller. Also, if we could get Mike Miller for Eric Snow and a pick would help a lot. Here are reasons why we should make a trade.
-Chemistry won't be changed. People talk about it so much, and it is very important. The Cavs aren't going to be acquiring 3-4 players like they did last year, at most they will acquire 2. Wally has said that he will request a buyout and come back to the Cavs if he is traded (he loves Cleveland that much, and he must wait 30 days if he is boughtout). If Eric Snow is traded, it won't matter because he isn't even with the team. So how much will chemistry be ruined if we can get Wally back?
-Its a buyers market. Teams are looking to shed salary as revenues have decreased. Teams that are out of contention (LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings) will be looking to deal some big names, along with big contracts to shed salary. The Cavs are one of a few teams who have 2 large expiring contracts at their disposal. Along with those expiring deals, we have draft picks to sweeten a deal as well. I am not saying lets make a move to make a move, but I have a feeling that a team will get desperate near the deadline and lower their demands for a trade.
-We are 1-4 vs. Boston, LA, and Orlando. Yes, we didn't have Delonte for either L.A. games, and we didn't have Z or Delonte for Orlando, but the Cavs really fell apart in the 2nd half versus Orlando and LA. The offense stopped flowing, the defensive intensity dropped, and we got lazy on the boards. These teams all have very solid bigmen, and they have a lot of size on their teams. LA has Pau, Odom, and Bynum. Orlando has Howard, Hedo, and Rashard Lewis. Boston has Kendrick Perkins, Garnett, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis. Z and Ben Wallace are both old, and they still play well, but Wallace cannot play more than 30 minutes a game, and we need that 4th big man to solidify the frontcourt. This would also allow LeBron to stay on the wings, and not have to play downlow (where he is uncomfertable)
-Teams are prone to making boneheaded moves. The Cavs must be active on the phones and listen to all offers. This team is so close to a championship, and they are one solid player away from it. As I said earlier, teams will lower their demands as the deadline approaches because the owners will keep the pressure on the GM's to cut salary. Speaking of lopsided moves look not further at what the Grizzlies did last year when they traded Pau Gasol. They got 2 low first round picks, Marc Gasol, and nothing else really for him. We traded Damon Jones and Joe Smith for Mo Williams. The Nuggets traded Marcus Camby for a 2nd round pick. The Mavericks traded Devin Harris and 2 first round picks for Jason Kidd. The Sonics traded Ray Allen and Glen Davis for Wally, Delonte, and Jeff Green. Not every trade will be lopsided, but if the Cavs see a trade that they must make and is of good value, they have to do it.
Well folks, as you can see, I am all for making a trade. From what we know about Wally wanting to come back, I definitely think we should pull the trigger. The trading landscape has changed a little, but the top 2 guys I want are Marcus Camby, and Brad Miller. Again, these are 2 bigmen whose contracts expire in 2010. I honestly believe Camby could be had for Wally, and a first rounder. Apparently, the Clips wanted JJ in the deal too, but you never know, they could lower their demands.... Maybe there are other names out there that we haven't thought of, but I hope the Cavs make a move. It is sure to be a crazy 9 days..... Thanks for reading and go Cleveland!
-Raz
With all this said, everyone was calling for a trade after the game. I agree, and I have said this since early in the season. With the deadline only 9 days away, trade talks are hot around the NBA. The struggling economy has really hurt some teams as they wish to get under the salary cap tax threshold. Even the Phoenix Suns are thinking about trading on of their best player Amare Stoudemire (we have no chance of getting him). We have an expiring contract worth $14 million with Wally, $7 million expiring contract with Eric Snow, two cheap rookie contracts of JJ Hickson and Darnell Jackson, and a first round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. So, it seems that the Cavs could really help some of the bad, economically struggling teams, but according to Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer, they won't. He has reported that the Cavs will probably sit out next week's NBA trade deadline. Now, here are the parameters in which I make a trade. I will trade Wally, and a first rounder for a bigman whose contract ends in 2010, this means a Marcus Camby or Brad Miller. Also, if we could get Mike Miller for Eric Snow and a pick would help a lot. Here are reasons why we should make a trade.
-Chemistry won't be changed. People talk about it so much, and it is very important. The Cavs aren't going to be acquiring 3-4 players like they did last year, at most they will acquire 2. Wally has said that he will request a buyout and come back to the Cavs if he is traded (he loves Cleveland that much, and he must wait 30 days if he is boughtout). If Eric Snow is traded, it won't matter because he isn't even with the team. So how much will chemistry be ruined if we can get Wally back?
-Its a buyers market. Teams are looking to shed salary as revenues have decreased. Teams that are out of contention (LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings) will be looking to deal some big names, along with big contracts to shed salary. The Cavs are one of a few teams who have 2 large expiring contracts at their disposal. Along with those expiring deals, we have draft picks to sweeten a deal as well. I am not saying lets make a move to make a move, but I have a feeling that a team will get desperate near the deadline and lower their demands for a trade.
-We are 1-4 vs. Boston, LA, and Orlando. Yes, we didn't have Delonte for either L.A. games, and we didn't have Z or Delonte for Orlando, but the Cavs really fell apart in the 2nd half versus Orlando and LA. The offense stopped flowing, the defensive intensity dropped, and we got lazy on the boards. These teams all have very solid bigmen, and they have a lot of size on their teams. LA has Pau, Odom, and Bynum. Orlando has Howard, Hedo, and Rashard Lewis. Boston has Kendrick Perkins, Garnett, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis. Z and Ben Wallace are both old, and they still play well, but Wallace cannot play more than 30 minutes a game, and we need that 4th big man to solidify the frontcourt. This would also allow LeBron to stay on the wings, and not have to play downlow (where he is uncomfertable)
-Teams are prone to making boneheaded moves. The Cavs must be active on the phones and listen to all offers. This team is so close to a championship, and they are one solid player away from it. As I said earlier, teams will lower their demands as the deadline approaches because the owners will keep the pressure on the GM's to cut salary. Speaking of lopsided moves look not further at what the Grizzlies did last year when they traded Pau Gasol. They got 2 low first round picks, Marc Gasol, and nothing else really for him. We traded Damon Jones and Joe Smith for Mo Williams. The Nuggets traded Marcus Camby for a 2nd round pick. The Mavericks traded Devin Harris and 2 first round picks for Jason Kidd. The Sonics traded Ray Allen and Glen Davis for Wally, Delonte, and Jeff Green. Not every trade will be lopsided, but if the Cavs see a trade that they must make and is of good value, they have to do it.
Well folks, as you can see, I am all for making a trade. From what we know about Wally wanting to come back, I definitely think we should pull the trigger. The trading landscape has changed a little, but the top 2 guys I want are Marcus Camby, and Brad Miller. Again, these are 2 bigmen whose contracts expire in 2010. I honestly believe Camby could be had for Wally, and a first rounder. Apparently, the Clips wanted JJ in the deal too, but you never know, they could lower their demands.... Maybe there are other names out there that we haven't thought of, but I hope the Cavs make a move. It is sure to be a crazy 9 days..... Thanks for reading and go Cleveland!
-Raz
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