DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Cavaliers & FA Options...July 1st...

Oh well...Charlie can now continue to lose to Cleveland four times a year. Bummer for him.

i think if andy doesn't return, they will probably sign joe smith...

i think the villanueva signing is solid for detroit, but they are going to pay ben gordon 11 million for the next 5 years? huh?

it's probably the length too, cavs probably would have only offered him the one year deal.

i totally understand.

don't worry though, the cavs are gonna land another guy who can impact this team. may not be artest, but someone is coming here to help lebron and shaq and the boys

In other news, it looks like Portland is interested in Hedo. That would be great news for us, as it would take a major cog out of the Magic's playoff team, and also essentially turn them into a 5-man rotation.

I didn't really want Charlie V anyways. None of the free agents really get me particularly excited, but I think Rasheed and Artest would be good fits.

J/C..

It's gettin crazy guys... looks like Ariza is headed out of LA, which means LA is now targeting Ron.. Hate to say it, but LA will be crazy good if they can land Artest, and then keep Odom (sounds very possible)

come on Ronny, make the right decision! Come to C-Town..

Sounds like Ariza could wind up in Cleveland.

He would probabally go to Cleveland so he can win another championship and possibly face LA. If he goes to Cleveland, LAL-CLE finals would have just way too many subplots.

Yep, if we end up with Ariza and Artest goes to LA, I will not be too happy... bottom line is that it would mean an upgrade for LA...

Artest is a better player in the short term (2 years). period.

Ariza is young and hit clutch 3s throughout the playoffs, plus he's a great perimeter defender.

No doubt about it, Ariza is a good young talent..

Artest is better though, and there is no doubt about that either...

Artest is more consistent ballplayer...

It's not that I wouldn't feel good about getting Ariza, but it would make me sick to see the Lakers backfill him with Artest..

Kobe
Artest
Gasol
Odom
Fisher
Bynum
Farmar
Walton
Shannon Brown
etc.
etc.

yes, they would have a ridiculous defensive lineup

Kobe
Artest
Odom
Gasol
Bynum

They'd be taller than their opponents at every position and could wreak havoc....plus, Kobe and Artest are probably the 2 best perimeter defenders in the league. Geez....

let's hope Ron comes to LeBron and we resign AV (our best hope at this point)

i'm still amazed Houston isn't pushing for him harder...the fans love him and he's the only semblence of offense they have

LA getting artest is slim to none, they are hurting for money and want to resign odom, the sold picks last week to help do that, ariza made 3mil last year and artest 7, if they can't afford ariza, the sure aren't going to afford artest unless artest will work for peanuts. I think with houston wanting andy, and the MLE, we have the better chance to get both ariza and artest than LA has in getting artest

ESPN is making it sound like we are going to get one of either Ariza or Artest. Call me pessimistic but I just dont see either happening. I would love for one of them to come and I think they both greatly improve our team, but I just dont think its realistic.

Shaq wants to win ring for LeBron


INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

"My motto is very simple," the 15-time All-Star center said Thursday. "Win a ring for the King."

Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal was introduced Thursday by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. The city of Cleveland has been waiting since 1964 for one of its three pro sports franchises to win a championship.

During a 30-minute news conference that was more of a TV talk show featuring Shaq, the 37-year-old star said he just wants to fit in with a Cavaliers team that won 66 regular-season games last season but was eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by the Orlando Magic.

"We have everybody in place," said O'Neal, who has just one year left under contract but feels he can play three more seasons. "There's no excuses. We've just have to get it done."

O'Neal walked to the dais through a welcoming tunnel of kids from an area summer camp. He was presented with a No. 33 jersey and given a pair of winter boots and a snow shovel by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who is sparing no expense to bring the Cavs a championship. Cleveland is the first cold-weather city O'Neal has played in after NBA stops in Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix.

There is a greater sense of urgency in Cleveland because James is entering his final year under contract. O'Neal insists this is "LeBron's team" and he's merely with the Cavs to put them over the top.

"I'll fit in just fine," he said. "They had a damn good team here already."

O'Neal won three NBA titles with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02 and another with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006. O'Neal believes No. 5 is possible with "the great LeBron James."

O'Neal joked that his three sons were excited he would be paired with the league's reigning MVP.

"My sons love LeBron more than they love me," he said. "I'm just a little jealous about it."


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303047

you're thinking about it from the wrong angle....
if they feel they are losing Artest already because they don't want to pay him $$$ for a non-contending team....then they will see it as:

AV > Scola (which is true)

Daryl Morey is an econometric guy, so he will definitely view Artest as a sunk cost (that is only if they have indeed moved on). Lakers are not going to give them Odom and Ariza doesn't have the size Houston needs, so we actually have the better offer there.

Scola is okay, but Landry was actually better for them last year. I think they would consider it.

Quote:

---

AV > Scola (which is true)

---

No its not.

Anybody get a phone call from Shaq?

My cell phone was ringing about 10 minutes ago... 216 area code.... pick it up, and it's Shaq. Said something about looking forward to being here in Cleveland. Kind of a cool surprise.

Looks like Artest will be a Laker...

link

So I heard.

i hope kobe and artest kill each other...about the only way they are going to be beatable this year

Now it looks like Ariza may be going to Rockets...

link

After the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to terms with Ron Artest on a free agent contract, Trevor Ariza is close to choosing his future team, with Houston leading Cleveland and a late Portland bid, a source close to the talks said Thursday night.

The Houston Rockets met with Trevor Ariza on Thursday in Las Vegas.

A lot of people are saying that Artest is an upgrade over Ariza... I don't really buy into that. Granted Atrest is tough as nails on defense. He has the better resume but he is also older and inconsistent on offense (just like Ariza has been at times).

I really think that Ariza has more potential to grow as a player. He could be the "Pippen" type we have been looking for to complement LeBron. Ariza's stats are also misleading... He really started to open up his game toward the end of the season and made some pretty big steals and hit some big shots. Artest is solid and a great signing for the Lakers but before we give them the title next year lets see if there is any chemistry between him and Kobe.

Come on Ferry bring in Ariza and call it a day.

If we do end up with Ariza I can see two possible lineups.

#1
Mo
Ariza
LeBron
Varejao/Smith
Shaq

Not to shabby... The only ? is that PF spot. I don't think we will see Z and Shaq on the floor too often. I wonder if we could swing a deal with anyone to bring in another PF?

#2
Mo
D West
Ariza
Lebron
Shaq

This lineup is smaller but is packed with firepower. If we are down in games don't be surprised if we have these guys on the floor.

EDIT: Nevermind Ariza has a verbal commitment with Houston.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303862

What now?

Wouldn't mind Ariza on the Cavs because LeBron is always going to raise everyone's game.

But don't confuse Ariza and Artest. Artest is a legit talent, capable of playing above all-star ball and on some nights carrying a team with his all around play and skill set.

Ariza thus far in his career has shown he needs to be playing alongside other great players to get his. If he doesn't go to a team with legit stars, he is going to be a huge disappointment.

Artest and Ariza aren't even close to the same player or even close to the same level.

since it's the same $$$, I'm guessing the full out love affair from Boston (and SA though they aren't getting the press) for Sheed has him going one of those places.

so, that leaves Marvin Williams and Josh Childress as the best available that we might be able to sign for the MLE.....of course they are restricted, so ATL can match.

i'd love Marvin.....really wish we could have ATL sign Bibby and Childress so they run out of money for him, but I don't see that happening.

this better be a 1 year deal for less than the MLE.....


BW

The word going around is the Cavs are moving on to Anthony Parker
25 minutes ago from web

http://twitter.com/PDcavsinsider

Yahoo says it would be a sign-and-trade for Parker, but Parker is unrestricted so it seems like we would be trading someone for him. Can't be Andy?

Well .... I brought up the possibility of Anthony Parker a little while back in the Shaq thread.

Guess I was psychic or something.


I can't imagine a sign and trade for Parker being the deal though ...... unless there is more involved. I like Parker .... but I'd have to imagine that the MLE would fit his contact quite easily.