Cleveland Cavaliers Rebuild

• Wooball

  

  Cavs related rumors from Ken Berger at Cbssports:
  
  • One of the most active teams on the trade market has been New Orleans, a development that rival executives are closely monitoring. Hornets GM Dell Demps is said to be seeking a big man who can give New Orleans a little more post presence on the offensive end, and executives are openly wondering if Demps will be so bold as to chase Cleveland's Antawn Jamison. Despite financial struggles that have resulted in the team being taken over by NBA ownership, the Hornets have cornered the market in the area of taking on future money for short-term improvements (i.e. Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack). Execs expect them to make another such move, but getting Jamison from Cleveland -- either via a trade or an unlikely buyout -- likely would yield a flood of complaints from many of the 29 teams that essentially own the Hornets. Jamison is owed $15.1 million next season, an obligation that would seem to be pushing whatever boundaries are inherent in the league's cooperative stewardship of the franchise.
  
  The Cavs would have to be incentivized to part with Jamison, who isn't said to be pushing an exit strategy and whose leadership will be needed to guide the Cavs through the rest of this trying season. The Hornets have the ability to seek more modest improvements, given their multiple trade exceptions and the $4.6 million they have to spend up to the luxury-tax threshold.
  
  • The Cavs are aggressively testing the waters to see what kind of assets they can expect to accumulate by volunteering to use their $14.6 million trade exception from LeBron's departure as a parking lot for other teams' unwanted contracts. Cleveland is seeking to use that cap space to acquire draft picks and young players -- a sound strategy, especially considering that the Cavs can use all the room without putting themselves in luxury-tax jeopardy.
  
  • Sources say the Bulls and Celtics are widely expected to make a move before the deadline, and each is seeking wing help. The Cavs' Anthony Parker would be an ideal fit in both places. Wizards guard Kirk Hinrich would be a good fit, too, but his $8 million salary next season would make such a transaction troublesome.
  
  • The Hawks are looking for guard help, and sources say they may be interested in the Cavs' Ramon Sessions. The feeling among rival execs is that the Hawks may be willing to spend up to or perhaps even a bit beyond the luxury-tax threshold if there's a deal that would significantly improve their chances in a playoff series with Boston, Orlando or Miami.
• Jester

  

  Jester;672012 wrote: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.

  Figured this could get some more talk now that the Cavs have traded for another pick.
  
  Oh, and Brooks dropped 52 on #9 ranked Notre Dame on 20-28 shooting.
• Wooball

  

  Cavs also acquired Semih Erden (who they had reportedly wanted from Boston) and Luke Harangody for a 2nd round pick.
• grodt

  

  They got some good young depth down low without giving up much. Hopefully one of those guys turns into a productive starter.
• Wooball

  

  Now that the Cavs will indeed have 2 picks in the top 10 like I was hoping for when I originally posted this, which 2 players do you hope they go for? Honestly, I will probably be OK with anyone as long as they don't pass on Kyrie Irving if available, or draft one of the Euro bigs.
• lhslep134

  

  Wooball;691777 wrote:Now that the Cavs will indeed have 2 picks in the top 10 like I was hoping for when I originally posted this, which 2 players do you hope they go for? Honestly, I will probably be OK with anyone as long as they don't pass on Kyrie Irving if available, or draft one of the Euro bigs.

  
  Depends on who slips to the 8-10 range that the 2nd pick will be in. I think first pick is Irving/Sully if they declare (good chance they both stay actually, Irving wants to play with Austin Rivers next year). I would love Perry Jones or Harrison Barnes if they slip that far.
• rydawg5

  Am I the only one who thinks Jajuan Johnson is going to be a very nice NBA player? I think the cavs could get get in next years draft (obviously at a value pick) but he seems to have some good qualities with his jump shot and size.
• KR1245

  

  rydawg5;692032 wrote:Am I the only one who thinks Jajuan Johnson is going to be a very nice NBA player? I think the cavs could get get in next years draft (obviously at a value pick) but he seems to have some good qualities with his jump shot and size.

  
  I would take him in the 2nd round.
• september63

  

  Leon Powe about to clear waivers and head back to Boston?
• Mulva

  

  rydawg5;692032 wrote:Am I the only one who thinks Jajuan Johnson is going to be a very nice NBA player? I think the cavs could get get in next years draft (obviously at a value pick) but he seems to have some good qualities with his jump shot and size.

  
  Needs to bulk up big time, but I like him too.
• GOONx19

  

  Wooball;691777 wrote:Now that the Cavs will indeed have 2 picks in the top 10 like I was hoping for when I originally posted this, which 2 players do you hope they go for? Honestly, I will probably be OK with anyone as long as they don't pass on Kyrie Irving if available, or draft one of the Euro bigs.

  
  Enes Kanter is the real deal.
• lhslep134

  

  GOONx19;692465 wrote:Enes Kanter is the real deal.

  
  So was Darko Milicic, Yi Jianlian, and others. Sorry if I'm skeptical of a foreign big who hasn't gone up against American bigs his entire career like college players. The failure rate of international players is enough for me to not take them seriously.
• rydawg5

  lhslep134;692535 wrote:So was Darko Milicic, Yi Jianlian, and others. Sorry if I'm skeptical of a foreign big who hasn't gone up against American bigs his entire career like college players. The failure rate of international players is enough for me to not take them seriously.

  
  Didn't Darko make an all star game? God help you if it take a few years for a 17 year old to develop..
• mucalum49

  

  rydawg5;692549 wrote:Didn't Darko make an all star game? God help you if it take a few years for a 17 year old to develop..

  
  No he hasn't made the all star game. He has a championship ring though from his rookie year with Detroit. And lots of money. Despite being considered a bust he's signed two contracts over $20 million each time.
  
  Just thinking about the draft this year, using NBAdraft.net it looks like next year will be heavy on wing players. It'd be nice to get Kyrie Irving and a big. Next year it looks like we'd have our pick of small forwards. I'm still optimistic that Manny Harris and Eyenga could turn into a decent SG.
• GOONx19

  

  lhslep134;692535 wrote:So was Darko Milicic, Yi Jianlian, and others. Sorry if I'm skeptical of a foreign big who hasn't gone up against American bigs his entire career like college players. The failure rate of international players is enough for me to not take them seriously.

  
  Every time he's been given the opportunity to match up with American bigs he's done well. Going head-to-head for the entire Nike Hoops Summit game last year, Sullinger had 22 points and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes and Kanter had 34 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes.
• devil1197

  If things stay the same as they are now, Cleveland should be getting two Top 10 picks which is the best case scenario imo. You have to think that Cleveland will have at least two years of having Top 10 picks, now you add another one in the 1st year.
  
  Obviously, Cleveland still has the TPE of 14.5 million and an expiring contract of Jamison (who could still contribute off the bench) at 15 mil.
  
  Definitely a big summer for the future of the team. You have to look at getting Kyrie and Kanter (who tore looked good during the Summit game against Sullinger).
  
  Try to make JJ the future PF then add the PG and C.
  
  Just got to hope it turns out similar to OKC, obviously we don't have the Durant.
• GOONx19

  

  The more I watch Derrick Williams the more I like the kid. I'd be a lot more confident if he had some assists but he really attacks the boards well. His FG% is phenomenal, too.
• Jester

  

  I wouldn't mind the Cavs taking a look at Jajuan Johnson. Like somebody said he's going to need to bulk up a bit, but I could see him being a LaMarcus Aldridge type player. He's got the ability to go down low and step out and hit jumpers.
• devil1197

  Ah Cleveland was so close to landing another 1st rounder by trading for Rip Hamiltion and absorbing his contract via the TPE.
  
  That would have been 3 1st rounders but Hamilton declined the trade.
• jpake1

  

  Get the #1 pick and select Irving. Keep JJ and Andy for your big men. I'd try to trade for OJ Mayo, but without giving up the current LA pick (too much)-- aim for one of Miami's late 1sts and whatever filler. I'd target a SF with LA's pick-- there could be solid talent there ( Barnes possibly if he comes out, or package the LA and a Miami pick to move up and select Williams). I'd be excited as a Cavs fan if I knew a top 6 rotation of Irving/Mayo/Barnes--Williams/Hickson/Andy/ and Sessions was for the coming years. I'm not sure of Baron and Jamison's contract-- but there is opportunity to turn those into young talent. The Cavs are doing the right thing, build from the ashes.
• devil1197

  jpake1;692678 wrote:Get the #1 pick and select Irving. Keep JJ and Andy for your big men. I'd try to trade for OJ Mayo, but without giving up the current LA pick (too much)-- aim for one of Miami's late 1sts and whatever filler. I'd target a SF with LA's pick-- there could be solid talent there ( Barnes possibly if he comes out, or package the LA and a Miami pick to move up and select Williams). I'd be excited as a Cavs fan if I knew a top 6 rotation of Irving/Mayo/Barnes--Williams/Hickson/Andy/ and Sessions was for the coming years. I'm not sure of Baron and Jamison's contract-- but there is opportunity to turn those into young talent. The Cavs are doing the right thing, build from the ashes.

  
  Jamison's contract is interesting. Obviously, he can still produce plus its a big expiring. I think Cleveland can get something out of him this summer for good pick.
  
  If Rip changes his mind, the article I read sounded like Cleveland could possibly look into the 1st for Rip trade in the summer before the TPE runs out.
  
  If Cleveland can pull off some moves to have 3 1st rounders, then that's a great situation to be in.
• KR1245

  

  The Cavs will make another move to acquire an additional 1st rounder in the 2012 draft imo.
  
  I dont know if it will be as high as the Clippers pick but I def think they get another 1st rounder. Gilbert isnt afraid to take on a bad contract to grab another draft pick. Back-to-back drafts with muliple picks in the top 10 will go a looooong way in turning this thing around.
• devil1197

  KR1245;692685 wrote:The Cavs will make another move to acquire an additional 1st rounder in the 2012 draft imo.
  
  I dont know if it will be as high as the Clippers pick but I def think they get another 1st rounder. Gilbert isnt afraid to take on a bad contract to grab another draft pick. Back-to-back drafts with muliple picks in the top 10 will go a looooong way in turning this thing around.

  
  I think Cleveland will use the TPE to get another 1st rounder before it expires this summer. They can absorb a player contract, similar to Hamilton, for the pick. I'd rather use it on young talent than trading for a player.
• KR1245

  

  devil1197;692687 wrote:I think Cleveland will use the TPE to get another 1st rounder before it expires this summer. They can absorb a player contract, similar to Hamilton, for the pick. I'd rather use it on young talent than trading for a player.

  
  I agree.
  
  I would take on just about any contract as long as it brings us another 1st rounder....as long as the pick was unprotected
• Midstate01

  

  I'd love to hear what are some possible uses of that trade exception.
  
  I wondered this morning if Yao was possible. I personally want nothing to do with it. But I know there is some Chinese group that has some ownership in the team and don't know if they'd possibly try to bring him in.
  Or maybe he's set to be a FA? If so then I guess that wouldn't even make that possible.