Cleveland Cavaliers Rebuild

• Wooball

  

  Because I am tired of reading about how shitty the Cavs currently are, lets talk about what needs to be done for this team to contend again. I have put together my scenario for the begin of the rebuild, what do you guys think? Is it realistic? Would it be a good start? How long until they could contend again?How many games would the cavs win next year if this is their roster?
  
  Trade Anthony Parker to Chicago Bulls for James Johnson
  -gives Chicago a decent 2 guard and Cavs get back a young wing
  
  Trade Antawn Jamison to NOH for Marcus Banks(expiring contract), Willie Green (EC), Jason Smith
  -NOH have been reported to be interested in Jamison. Cavs get out of his contract and get back a young 7’
  
  USE the TPE to acquire Rip Hamilton plus Detroit Pistons #1 pick
  -Pistons desperately want out of Hamilton’s contract. I have read that one of the reasons the Melo trade to NJN didn’t go down is because the Nets wanted this pick back for taking Hamilton, but the Nets were also trying to throw extra salary back to the Pistons, which Cleveland wouldn’t be doing. If need be add in a future Miami Heat 1st round pick.
  
  I don’t see where exactly we are going to be able to move Mo Williams, but I kinda expect him to be gone before next season, even if it is for nothing more than expiring contracts and a future pick.
  
  The draft becomes hard, because we are not sure where our pick is going to be, other than it will likely be no worse than #4(assuming we finish with the worst record). Also, no draft site agrees on who is going where in the draft. With 2 picks in the top 8-10 of the draft, I think the Cavs ought to go for 2 bigger wings, especially since it is unknown if Irving is going to come out in this draft. I would select Perry Jones w/ our first pick, and with the Pistons pick I would go with Harrison Barnes. If Barnes keeps putting it together the end of this year and UNC makes a run and he becomes unavailable, I’d go with a guy like Kanter or Derrick Williams, maybe even Terrence Jones. With our early 2nd round pick I’d take Keith Benson(Oakland)
  
  PG – Ramon Sessions/Boobie Gibson
  SG – Christian Eyenga/Manny Harris/Rip Hamilton
  SF – Harrison Barnes/Rip Hamilton/James Johnson
  PF – Perry Jones/JJ Hickson/Samardo Samuels
  C – Anderson Varejao/Jason Smith/Keith Benson/Ryan Hollins
  
  This team could get out and run, and have the potential to be a pretty solid defensive team. Eyenga is an athletic freak. Jones is kind of a tweener. He is 6’11 with incredible length and athleticsm, but some 4’s would push him around in the post. Hopefully his versatility on the offensive end would more than make up for that. I think I guy like him would be a perfect high post in the Princeton offense. Barnes was the #1 guy coming into this season. It took him a bit to get used to the college game, but he has the skills to be a great wing player in the NBA.
  
  Then in the 2012 draft I would look for a PG that could break down defenses and create for others. Hopefully a few of Irving, Cory Joseph, Josh Selby, Brandon Knight choose to stay for their sophomore seasons. If they all come out this year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cavs try to acquire a pick in the early to mid 20’s to select one of those guys.
• BR1986FB

  They are going to have to be pretty saavy about it and it will take at least two drafts. They can go the way of OKC and do it through the draft OR, if Chris Grant is good enough, can do it through part draft and part scouring Europe for some "hidden gems" ala San Antonio. They will also have to acquire some talent via trade because no free agents are going to want to come here for awhile.
• Y-Town Steelhound

  

  Well the first thing they have to do is identify their core. To me the players who should be the focus on this roster next season are Gibson, Varejao (unless someone blows them away with an offer), Hickson, Sessions, Harris, Eyenga, and maybe Samuels. Jamison should be traded next year around the trade deadline because his contract will be expiring and could be a decent trade piece.
  
  The draft is where the Cavs are going to have to do the major work. This team isn't going to be built from one player as we saw how that worked last time. It's going to take a few drafts to accumulate young pieces that will grow together ala OKC. For this year's draft I would go with Irving as my first choice as that talented point guard Byron Scott needs to run his system. Secondly I would go with Perry Jones and his crazy athleticism, but he does have huge bust capabilities. Next I look at Jared Sullinger (if he comes out) because he is a solid player that could definitely be a key piece of the puzzle.
  
  It's going to take a few years, but the Cavs will be back. A couple seasons of losing and some savvy drafting is going to be what it takes to get back into contention.
• thedynasty1998

  

  The thing that would scare me the most about the NBA in general, is how top heavy this league will become in the next 5 years. You already had Boston and LA as the elite teams in each conference. Now you have Miami, New Orleans, Chicago, New York (assuming they get another FA), Clippers assuming they improve and whoever decides to team up with Howard and/or Paul in another year.
  
  Those teams will continue to be elite and all the other teams will be staring up at the pack. That's not just Cleveland, but the league across the board.
  
  As for the Cavs, they are already so far behind even the middle of the pack teams now that I really think it's more likely that Gilbert sells the team in the next 10 years than it is for the Cavs to be in contention for a championship.
  
  And I'll say it again, the Cavs need to throw a bunch of money at Greg Oden this offseason and hope they strike gold. He is a guy that I think would be willing to come back to Ohio and the Cavs can afford at this point to overpay for someone like him, keeping in mind they don't offer him more than 3 years guaranteed.
• shook_17

  

  the cavs will never be a defensive team with bryon scott as the head coach. he plays a run and gun offense trying to out score everybody.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  thedynasty1998;671642 wrote:The thing that would scare me the most about the NBA in general, is how top heavy this league will become in the next 5 years. You already had Boston and LA as the elite teams in each conference. Now you have Miami, New Orleans, Chicago, New York (assuming they get another FA), Clippers assuming they improve and whoever decides to team up with Howard and/or Paul in another year.
  
  Those teams will continue to be elite and all the other teams will be staring up at the pack. That's not just Cleveland, but the league across the board.
  
  As for the Cavs, they are already so far behind even the middle of the pack teams now that I really think it's more likely that Gilbert sells the team in the next 10 years than it is for the Cavs to be in contention for a championship.
  
  And I'll say it again, the Cavs need to throw a bunch of money at Greg Oden this offseason and hope they strike gold. He is a guy that I think would be willing to come back to Ohio and the Cavs can afford at this point to overpay for someone like him, keeping in mind they don't offer him more than 3 years guaranteed.

  
  How are you throwing the Clippers into this? Keep in mind that most ppl were getting all excited for the Trailblazers just 2 seasons ago, now they're an after thought. A lot can change in an istant. Also you left off OKC, I'd put them on there before many of the teams you mentioned.
• jordo212000

  

  If they could get Oden on the cheap, that would be a good move.
  
  He could play the 5, Varejao could play the 4, and then they desperately need a SF/SG. Take the best available guy in the draft and they are headed in the right direction. Mo and Sessions are both serviceable
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Also, Oden is not the answer to our prayers, throwing money on a guy who can't stay healthy doesn't make sense at all.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I meant Oklahoma City and not New Orleans.
  
  I think it makes perfect sense to throw money at Oden. A 3 year deal for more than anyone else will offer. If he turns it around and stays healthy, he is the building block and can instantly improve this team significantly. If he is hurt for three years, who really cares? The Cavs are not going to turn it around in 3 years unless they can win on a gamble like this.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Yeah lets throw money at Sam Bowie part2!!!!! No thanks on the (to use BR's term which I think fits) Chinadoll.
• lhslep134

  

  Commander of Awesome;671724 wrote:Yeah lets throw money at Sam Bowie part2!!!!! No thanks on the (to use BR's term which I think fits) Chinadoll.

  
  In his defense, Oden plays for the Portland Knee Destroyers. Something like 6 injured knees in the past 3 years.
• Al Bundy

  jordo212000;671668 wrote:If they could get Oden on the cheap, that would be a good move.
  
  He could play the 5, Varejao could play the 4, and then they desperately need a SF/SG. Take the best available guy in the draft and they are headed in the right direction. Mo and Sessions are both serviceable

  
  After Oden plays his 3 games for the season, what do you do the other 79 games?
• KR1245

  

  Start with drafting Kyrie Irving
• Jester

  

  Personally, Wooball, I don't like your ideas, at all. First of all, Perry Jones is a SF. I don't think he would fair to well down on the block against any NBA big man that's worth a damn. Then you have us trading Parker for James Johnson. I like the idea of trading Parker, but I'd rather get someone other than a SF. I mean, we've already got like 3 or 4 SF's, and since you have us drafting Perry Jones, I think were pretty much set at the SF spot. I'm not sure I like the idea of trading for Rip either. I mean the dudes 32, how much does he have left in the tank? If were going to trade, I'd like for them to go after someone young, either a SG or C, preferably. I'm all for getting rid of Tawn, but i'd like it to be for someone better than Jason Smith. I dunno, just my opinion.
  
  Here's what I'd like to see the Cavs do. Keep JJ, Sessions, Boobie, Andy, Eyenga, and Harris. Everyone else, either trade, drop, whatever, just get rid of them. As far as the draft goes, I would love for them to pick up another pick, if possible. With the first pick, i'd go with either Jones or Irving. With that, your pretty much set at either position, SF and PG. If you go with Jones, you've got him with Eyenga and Harris as backups. If you go with Irving you've got Sessions and Boobie as backups. Plus Boobie can play both PG and SG.
  
  With the next pick, i'd like to see them go with a big man. JJ and Andy are solid, but i'm not sure if they'll ever be great players, plus after them, we have no one. Ryan Hollins and Leon Powe just don't cut it. Of course, this pick all depends on where it's at, whether it's their 2nd round pick, or another pick they traded for. A guy like Enes Kanter might fall, so if they can trade for a pick and grab him, i'd say go for it. The PF/C position is kind of thin in this draft, but I think there are a couple big men that would be worth a look. Trey Thompkins, Jordan Williams, JaJuan Johnson, Renardo Sidney, or Keith Benson would all be selections I wouldn't be mad at. I know a guy like Sidney has had some problems, but depends on when they pick him, it could be worth it. Either he pans out, or he doesn't and you don't lose much.
  
  If they have a 3rd pick somewhere in there, i'm not sure I like the idea of Harrison Barnes. Is he even coming out? The mock draft site I use doesn't even have him listed. To make it easier, i'll just list some SG's I wouldn't mind seeing the Cavs draft. Jordan Hamilton, Klay Thompson, Marshon Brooks, LaceDarius Dunn, and Malcolm Lee.
  
  Assuming this all works out somewhere, you could see a starting line up like this:
  PG- Sessions/Boobie
  SG- Eyenga/Harris/Dunn
  SF- Jones/Harris/Eyenga
  PF- JJ/Benson
  C- Andy/Benson
  
  I know I don't have the roster completely filled out, but i'm sure they won't cut/trade/get rid of everyone that I mentioned. You could throw in Powe or Samuels or someone else in there as well. Again, this is all just my opinion.
• Wooball

  

  Jester,
  #1 - thanks for responding to my proposal
  
  #2 - I don't completely disagree with you about Perry Jones, although I feel like he has the versatility to play the 4. Will he get killed there defensively his first couple years until he adds strength? Absolutely. But guys like Rashard Lewis, Jeff Green, Lamar Odom have played this role successfully for teams, and Jones probably has more upside than those 3 guys.
  
  #3 - the only reason I am trading for Rip is to acquire another top 10 pick in the draft. If he would give the cavs anything then great, maybe they could move him for another pick in 2012 or 2013.
  
  #4 - I am assuming Barnes continues his recent good play and comes out in this draft. If he doesn't I would like a guy like Kanter. I wouldn't even mind if the cavs would take him over a guy like Barnes. I also really like Hamilton from Texas. I would like a guy like that around the 8-10 spots because of the offensive production that they could provide. As you see, I have the Cavs taking Keith Benson with their very early 2nd round pick. If they would flip that and take Kanter (or Motejunas) in round 1 and a guy like Thompson, Dunn or Scotty Hopson in round 2 I wouldn't be opposed.
  
  #5 - With Anthony Parker, I'm not really sure what you are going to be able to get in return. The Bulls are about the only club I have heard that is interested in him. If you could get more than James Johnson, then go for it. Same goes for Jamison. If they can get out of his contract, then I don't really care what they get back in return. All we gave for him was cap relief and a late 1st round pick. If we could get that pick back that would be great. But I'd be willing to settle for a young big in return with cap relief.
• Wooball

  

  Interesting Read:
  
  By SAM AMICO
  FOX Sports Ohio
  Feb. 9, 2011
  
  INDEPENDENCE -- With the NBA trading deadline just a few weeks away, and the Cavaliers struggling, it’s only natural to assume they will be one of the teams looking to make some moves.
  
  And that would be a mostly accurate assumption.
  
  But word around the league is, so far, the Cavs aren’t planning any earth-shattering deals before or on the Feb. 24 deadline. Instead, any attempts at a makeover are more likely to be saved for the off-season.
  
  Granted, that could change quickly -- as things sometimes do when the deadline draws nearer. And the Cavs will most certainly continue to listen and talk to other teams, and the possibility remains they will be intrigued by something.
  
  Right now, though, the Cavs hold a lot of pieces and can afford to be patient. Nothing they do now will have any impact on this season, so there is clearly no need to rush.
  
  That said, there has been talk the Cavs may make some smaller moves within the next few weeks. Much of that dialogue is supposedly centered around shooting guard Anthony Parker, whose professionalism, defense and expiring contract have drawn plenty of interest.
  
  While Parker has not been linked to one team in particular, the belief around the league is he can help a team in contention as a key reserve. And while the Cavs most definitely appreciate him, at 35 years old, he is not part of the long-term plans.
  
  Teams such as Chicago, San Antonio and Dallas all would be ideal landing spots for Parker, and according to sources, each has expressed at least a passing interest.
  
  Also, forwards Jamario Moon and Leon Powe own expiring deals, and forward Joey Graham’s contract consists of a team option at season’s end. So all three are very movable. Unlike Parker, there hasn't been much of an interest in those three.
  
  Either way, any deal involving Parker, Moon, Powe or Graham would likely garner nothing more than a second-round draft pick in return. And that seems to be all the Cavs would ask for in return.
  
  Of course, potentially bigger deals have been mentioned by some national media outlets. One of those reports stated that the Cavs had been eyeballing a trade that would send Anderson Varejao to Oklahoma City for young big men Cole Aldridge and Byron Mullens (or at least one and a draft pick).
  
  That is not true, according to one NBA executive, who insisted the Cavs “would never do that or have any interest in it, and nor should they.”
  
  Another source said Minnesota recently expressed an interest in Varejao, and with the Timberwolves’ array of young talent and draft picks, the Cavs would be willing to listen.
  
  It’s true Varejao is out for the year with a torn tendon in his foot, and that has likely deterred a lot of teams (particularly those in the playoff chase) from making a push for him. But the interest is still fairly strong -- despite the fact the Cavs would be more than happy to keep him for the rest of his career.
  
  Basically, Varejao isn’t untouchable, but it would take quite an offer to pry him away. If that offer comes, it’s more likely to come in June than February.
  
  Others, such as Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson, are also on a lot of other teams’ radars. So is the Cavs’ $14.5 trade exception. The Cavs know all that, and such knowledge gives them considerable leverage.
  
  “[The Cavs] don’t have to trade just to make a trade,” said a Western Conference executive. “That seems to be their stance and it’s a wise one to take. They may not have a good team at the moment -- but the longer they wait, the better their possibilities and their power become.”
  
  Dallas owner Mark Cuban echoed similar sentiments prior to the Cavs’ loss to the Mavericks on Monday.
  
  “The season's over in what, 60 days?" Cuban asked reporters. "So in 60 days you go from being a suffering franchise to having the best odds of getting the first pick and a ton of [salary] cap room, and you're the hero all summer."
  
  Until then, the Cavs appear to be just fine making a minor move here or there (if any at all), taking their time and using their many assets to tackle the market at a more opportune time.
  
  Follow Sam Amico @SamAmicoFSO
• sleeper

  

  The Cavs are a freaking mess. We have one of the oldest team in the league, and outside of Hickson/Varejao there isn't anyone with a great amount talent. Mo sucks, Jamison sucks, and I don't see Christian Eyenga being any good.
  
  What they need to do is trying to shred the existing team and build from the ground up. I don't mind a losing season or two as long as the team is building young and getting some real talent to compete for championships.
• dave

  Pretty sure they don't have one of the oldest teams. Parker will get traded for sure, and if Jamison does they will be one of the youngest.
• sleeper

  

  Oh sorry, we have a bunch of young D league talent players and a bunch of old talentless players.
• dave

  Yeah that sounds about right. They seem much older than they are, Boobie is only 24, Powe only 27, Mo only 28, Sessions only 24.
• gerb131

  

  5-8 years before the Cavs are good again.
  Took Orlando decades to get back after Shaq left and the Bulls have won ONE playoff series since Jordan took off. Gonna be a long ride.
• Mulva

  

  Wooball;671471 wrote: PG – Ramon Sessions/Boobie Gibson
  SG – Christian Eyenga/Manny Harris/Rip Hamilton
  SF – Harrison Barnes/Rip Hamilton/James Johnson
  PF – Perry Jones/JJ Hickson/Samardo Samuels
  C – Anderson Varejao/Jason Smith/Keith Benson/Ryan Hollins

  
  That roster would be lucky to win over 30 games anytime in the next 3 seasons. It's like the 2008 Thunder if OKC had 1/3 the talent they actually did.
  
  Danny Ferry was not very good at his job. He sold out everything (understandably) to try to win it all, but he just got absolute shit in his ROI with just about every move he made. This is what happens when the crown jewel leaves, you haven't had a legitimate 1st round draft pick since 2004 (not Luke Jackson as a player, I'm talking about having the #10 pick), and you're left with the shit left over from failed trades and free agent signings.
• sleeper

  

  dave;672434 wrote:Yeah that sounds about right. They seem much older than they are, Boobie is only 24, Powe only 27, Mo only 28, Sessions only 24.

  
  If this is the future of your franchise, you won't make the playoffs. Ever.
• Jester

  

  Mulva;672480 wrote:That roster would be lucky to win over 30 games anytime in the next 3 seasons. It's like the 2008 Thunder if OKC had 1/3 the talent they actually did.
  
  Danny Ferry was not very good at his job. He sold out everything (understandably) to try to win it all, but he just got absolute shit in his ROI with just about every move he made. This is what happens when the crown jewel leaves, you haven't had a legitimate 1st round draft pick since 2004 (not Luke Jackson as a player, I'm talking about having the #10 pick), and you're left with the shit left over from failed trades and free agent signings.

  Well, 30's a lot more than the 8 wins they have now. lol
• dave

  sleeper;672496 wrote:If this is the future of your franchise, you won't make the playoffs. Ever.

  
  The future is Andy, JJ, Eyenga, Harris. You said the Cavs were one of the oldest teams in the league, that doesn't make any sense to me.