Minny and Clev talking centers?

[kiwibrindle]

Anyone see this rumor on espn 1500 ?

"One team official scoffed at the notion that center Nikola Pekovic, who is a restricted free agent this summer, could command $12 million/year on the open market.

I do, too, but big men are constantly in demand, and the Blazers, in desperate need of one, will have cap space.

If Pekovic doesn't get $12 million a year, the hunch is he'll come close. That makes me wonder, if Kahn can find the right replacement, whether he'll pull the trigger.

That could be Cleveland's Anderson Varejao. According to two league sources, the Wolves and Cavaliers have had discussions, albeit brief, about Varejao.

What's not known is if Cleveland has any interest in Pekovic. And presumably, it would take a lot more than Pekovic for Kahn to pull off such a deal."

To make this work there has to be more players involved.

My question is who is the other player?

Williams?
Budinger?
Pick?
all of the above?

[rjgraca]

I came across the Minny and Clev trade rumor this morning and I am of the opinion that the Wolves are not really serious yet about Varejao.

My guess is their offer has been in line what the Wolves board here on RealGM has posted.

Derrick Williams - The shine of him being a high draft pick is going down like his value. To me, he's an Antwan Jamison type of player at best (a tweener).

Luke Ridnour - overpaid backup point guard.

Greg Stiemsma - 3rd string center who is very good at using up his 6 fouls for the game as quickly as possible.

IMO, that why the rumor said the talks were very brief.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1464 ... on-varejao

From Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.com:

League sources say Varejao is one of the more talked about trade targets in the league and that there are a number of teams that would move for him. However, Cleveland values him too and unless someone makes a serious offer for Varejao, the Cavs say they don’t have interest in trading him.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com:

I think they’ll trade Anderson Varejao at the deadline. Going back to selling high or low, Varejao’s trade value is at an all-time high and the Cavs can add a piece or two (and maybe a draft pick) that will help improve their young core. Varejao isn’t in the team’s long-term plan so it makes sense to trade him for someone that will be.

Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal weighed in on a possible trade partner for the Cavs in a recent article, saying:

It will be difficult for the Cavs to get fair market value for Varejao, particularly since any draft pick they acquire would be low since it would come from a contender. The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the rights to the Toronto Raptors’ first-round pick next summer (top three protected), which should be an appealing pick given the Raptors’ struggles, but the Thunder aren’t pursuing Varejao. He would be deadly playing alongside Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins, but no one polled thought the Thunder would meet the Cavs’ demands — which just might include Ibaka.

[Niko23]

No thanks to Pek. He will get his contract and get paid......but he could turn out to be another Ilyasova...

[IMHO]

Pek is great and I think he has a higher ceiling than Varejao however as others have mentioned, he's looking to get paid, and why wouldn't he. I'd rather do another trade, and just let Zeller play heavy minutes as he develops.

Varejao for Ibaka? I wouldn't even want that. I'd be perfect content with Lamb/PJ3 and Toronto's pick.

[pickIBL]

Hmm Ibaka is pretty nice. The Cavs really ought to be working something out. There was a time when if you brought up an Ibaka for AV swap everyone would laugh... so just in having that type of conversation right now means the FO needs to be making a move.

Minnesota has a lot of nice prospects. Williams, Shved, and Bjelica would all be nice to acquire. In todays NBA with the way the league is and the new CBA you can't overpay any decent C talent that comes along anymore. Rather than get saddled with a long term Pek contract you are better of looking for a young cheaper prospect or even going to Europe and snagging a top Center talent. I can think of a few good names for that.

[TheOUTLAW]

Seriously, I don't think there has ever been a time that I thought Ibaka was better than Varejao. Sure he gets blocks but overall on defense I think Varejao is better.

[pickIBL]

Come on let's be realistic. We are talking trade value around the league. A cavs fan is gonna have his opinion on what a player can do... and what he is worth. But there has gotta be a buyer out there that agrees. Right now his value is high. It hasn't always been and he is another big injury away from being in that situation again.

[TheOUTLAW]

I do think we should trade Varejao although I disagree with your view that he hasn't had value. I think he's had good value for several years and in fact the Cavs have agreed. Which is why they didn't trade him last year etc. T

[pickIBL]

I do think we should trade Varejao although I disagree with your view that he hasn't had value. I think he's had good value for several years and in fact the Cavs have agreed. Which is why they didn't trade him last year etc. T

Oh he's had some value... but not like this. This right now is totally different.

[gordito]

In what world would the Thunder consider trading a 23 year old Ibaka for a 30+ year old Varejao?

[Kaner]

The same world in which the Cavs would want to trade the leauge leading rebounder that can defend both big man positions and is incredibly efficient on offense for a one dimensional PF?

[pickIBL]

The Harden move would suggest they are planning to stick with Ibaka. No reason to break up a young core any more than you have to for financial/cap reasons.

[rjgraca]

The USAtoday link does a good job in explaining the Cavs leverage in Trading Varejao and the other link alludes to what the Cavs would be looking for in return for Varejao from the Wolves.

Anderson Varejao subject of trade rumors: The NBA A-Z

As part of the Cavs' process, they want to improve through trades and the draft and spend wisely in free agency. Varejao could net both draft picks and young players.

However, closer inspection of the situation in Cleveland reveals the Cavs have no pressing reason to trade Varejao now or in the future.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... s/1761627/

NBA Trade Rumor: Cavaliers, T-Wolves Talking Trade Involving Varejao

It’s being reported by Legion Sports (@MySportsLegion) that the Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are discussing a trade involving Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao as well as Minnesota forward Derrick Williams and center Nikola Pekovic.

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2013/ ... g-varejao/

[C.lupus]

FWIW from a Minneapolis sportswriter with connections:

@APkrawczynski
I don't see anyway they include both Pek and Williams in a deal for Varejao. But I know the two sides are talking.

[B Mac]

The Cavs dont have any interest in Derrick Williams. Not my opinion by the way.

[Rise Against]

I still wondering what position Derrick Williams plays..

[BossHoggin]

I still wondering what position Derrick Williams plays..

same as Adam Morrison, towel waiver

[moss_is_1]

I still wondering what position Derrick Williams plays..

He's a PF. He's played SF recently with all of our injuries to the wings, but now with Love out I expect him to play a lot of backup PF and SF minutes.

He's played pretty well in limited minutes this season(had a real bad start to the year), he's filling into his role and not trying to do too much like last year. His defense is solid, and his 3 point shot is hitting.

[kiwibrindle]

I love the towelwaver reference Boss

I think the Cavs would be interested if they could get Pek to sign something reasonable now. Good luck getting that to happen so I think this is DOA.

[pickIBL]

I still wondering what position Derrick Williams plays..

same as Adam Morrison, towel waiver

Naaa he was asking about Williams not Thompson.