DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Where do we go from here?

i could be wrong about the second round pick...

but yes, the cavs have got to learn how to knock down open shots, which will take pressure off lebron

wouldn't you take that as a slap to the face? the other team throws 3 guys at lebron because they know you can't hit a wide open jumper? that's one thing i don't understand, why this team doesn't play with more of a chip on their shoulder...

a lot of it is technique, but i think a big part is just confidence... and lebron needs work on both...

Wesley is going through all sorts of personal problems recently. His retiring isn't unexpected by any means, however, he'll wait to officially retire until after the draft, where a team (whether it is the Cavs or not) will buy out his contract and he'll retire.

wouldn't mind bringing kapono back..great role player and probably be had cheap

Up.....i'm still hurting, so i don't really want to get to deep into......but i have already renewed my season tickets for next year......which will be in 15 weeks......GoCavs!!!!!!!!

Thanks for a great ride.............

web page

Analysis
Cavaliers can keep their core, or try to tweak their roster
Sunday, June 17, 2007 4:01 AM
By James Walker

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
CLEVELAND -- So where do the Cavaliers go from here?

Coming off a historic season that includes their first NBA Finals appearance, the answer could vary. The front office first has to decide whether the current team is good enough to win a championship or further steps are needed.

Here are three major questions facing the Cavaliers this offseason:

Should the Cavs keep their own?
Cleveland's main question this offseason will be what to do with restricted free agents Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic. Both played integral roles as the club made the jump from a second-round team to finalist.

Varejao, the Cavs' sixth man, provided energy off the bench and led the league in drawing charges. Pavlovic showed the biggest improvement of any Cavs player, going from little playing time two seasons ago to starting at shooting guard the second half of this season and averaging 9.0 points and 2.4 rebounds.

It helps and hurts that Pavlovic, 23, and Varejao, 24, are young and still have high ceilings. Cleveland knows that keeping one or both players would naturally make the team better, but their potential could tempt other teams to overpay for their services.

The Cavs could match any offer and claim they're willing to go over the salary cap to keep both players. But saying it and actually signing the large checks are two different things.

Make moves or stay put?
Making it to the NBA Finals has bought the Cavs time to stand pat with their roster. The front office can explain to the public that the Cavs were the second-best team in the NBA last year, and letting this group grow together another year will only improve chemistry and possibly get them over the hump.

That may or may not be true.

Ideally, Cleveland could use an impact point guard, either via trade or by using its mid-level exception worth about $5 million per year. Starting point guard Larry Hughes is injury-prone and playing out of position.

Hughes has not fit in well with the Cavs in his two years with the team, but his large contract likely will prevent any chance of moving him. As far as trade options, Sacramento Kings point guard Mike Bibby could be available, as well as to a lesser degree, New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd.

The Cavs do not own a draft pick but could attempt to maneuver their way back into the NBA draft next week to fill a need.

Should LeBron rest?
The Cavs' star player and biggest investment will have a major decision to make this summer: Should LeBron James rest or play his third straight stint of year-round basketball with Team USA.

James committed to Team USA but has a couple of outs. He played 98 games this season, and son Bryce Maximus James was born just last week.

James struggled through the first half of the regular season because he played in the FIBA World Championship last summer. He caught his second wind around the All-Star break, but it probably cost the team some early victories.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry said the team's brass will talk with James to get a feel for what he wants to do, but ultimately the choice is up to James. The decision is of great import to the Cavs, who will need a healthy and well-rested James to compete for another championship next season.

jwalker@dispatch.com

For my own selfish reasons.........LeBron say no to the Team USA practices this Summer.......plllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaassssseeeeeee!!!

Lebron, say no to Team USE.

I want to know when Brown is going to step up and show his 1st round pick value.

We hardly got to see the kid play. A deep shin bruise should not keep someone out an entire season.

I would like him to rest as well.

Ok, a few things to sort out.

1. Ira Newble has one more year on his contract as a 'player-option' that he has said he will be exercising at $3.4 million.

2. Sasha will not be accepting his qualifying offer, so we need to resign him.

3. AV is a restricted FA, so we will be able to match any offer.

4. For those that think anyone is untradeable, remember we were able to unload Shawn Kemp after his knees were shot and he had a permanent booth at nearly every buffet spot in town.


-------------------


A couple possible targets:


AK-47 - he is extremely upset with his decreased role on the team due to Boozer's emergence and Utah doesn't want to pay him the rest of his contract if they can get out of it. They also desperately need an upgrade at SG and have replacements for AK-47 at SF.

Hughes for AK-47 would help both teams (assuming Larry's foot is healed). We would obviously use Andre at the 4 most of the time, which is where he thrived in Utah anyway.


Maggette - this one is much more far-fetched, but he is an unhappy camper and the Clippers want to unload him this offseason if at all possible. The guy that matches up best for him is Gooden (in contract and the rebounding and midrange shooting LAC needs). But, would LAC trade their starting SG for a backup PF (remember they have Brand and Kaman)? Let's hope Maggette forces their hand.


So, if we somehow managed to get both these trades done, here's how our team looks (assuming we resign AV and Sasha):

Gibson
Maggette
LeBron
AK-47
Z

Bench: AV, Sasha, Shannon (and Donyell, Snow when needed)

There are a good number of great options and opinions that fans have presented. Thanks!

Let's hope that the Cavs explore some of these options and come up with a 90+% solution.

I have a question.

Not being a huge NBA fan and not really following any other teams besides the Cav's would anybody be willing to bring in Darko Milicic?

I know he had a ton of potential coming into the NBA but never really lived up to it and never really had much playing time in Detroit and not very much to work with in Orlando. I watched a few of his videos and he seems like a descent shot blocker.

Does anybody think we could sign him to be the heir apparent to Z?

Maybe he could learn a few things from the Vets on this team and with Browns defensive coaching we could be the team to make him play up to what he could be.

there is a rumor on yahoo sports that says drew gooden could end up on the bulls... it doesn't go any farther into it...

i can kind of understand it, because if you drop gooden, you can easily sign varejao, and probably sign pavs too...

but, why would you trade with the bulls, and what exactly would you get back, i would hope chris duhon isn't the player... they're desperately trying to get rid of him after some incidents with him arriving late to playoff games (yes, plural)

gordon? we could use the scoring, but i don't think the bulls would do gordon for gooden, and i don't think mike brown wants a guy that plays no defense whatsoever...

That could be wishful thinking. I'm not sure Gooden is going to give you the 9th pick in this deep draft. Although Pavs and a #9 for the #5 seems a little more reasonable.

i think gooden could be worth the ninth pick in the draft...

but, why do business with a team in your own division? i've never been a fan of it...

chicago desperately needs help in their frontcourt...

i would pull that deal gooden for the #9, and then take the #9 and combine it with pavs to move up in the draft...

i'd hate to give up sasha, because i think he's going to develop into a good player, but if you have a realistic chance at a guy like mike conley, who could turn your team into an instant powerhouse, you do it...

and it would help a guy like larry hughes, if you have lebron james and mike conley on the floor at the same time, you're going to be doing quite a bit of running, and that should help larry get some of those easy buckets... it seems like if he can get a few layups, everything else starts going... plus with conley on the floor, and hughes, and lebron, you have 3 good ball handlers... 3 guys who can play the point and create... not bad at all...

just wishful thinking though, i honestly don't think gooden is going anywhere... if anything i see a sign and trade with pavlovic, maybe in a deal for bibby...

what's the fun if you can't imagine cool scenarios like that though

I guess I just don't see it ... they've got guys like Noah and Brewer projected around the #9 spot. I don't see a team giving up a chance at one of them for a guy like Gooden.

He is a restricted FA.

But the only question is if Orlando would be willing to keep him. I don't think he got that many minutes last year.

Some interesting portions from Brian Windhorst'snew article:

According to team sources, General Manager Danny Ferry has permission from ownership to exceed the luxury-tax threshold for the first time in team history. Ferry has made it clear behind the scenes, however, that he does not want to hamstring himself with unmovable contracts. In other words, Varejao is not untouchable, and the winds suggest the Cavs would let him walk rather than match a deal they consider unreasonable.

Nonetheless, several teams figure to be interested in bidding on Varejao. According to league sources, one of them is expected to be the Houston Rockets, who are looking to get more athletic and are overhauling their power forward spot.

Sasha Pavlovic is in the same boat as Varejao, restricted, but there seems to be a greater likelihood the Cavs will keep him. It is doubtful he would get an offer above the midlevel exception from a team with cap space. Plus, the Cavs probably will put out the word they intend to match offers, which may scare away competition. Pavlovic's market was hurt this week when the Toronto Raptors traded for Carlos Delfino. Toronto was a team believed to be interested in Pavlovic.