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