RealGM

Let me preempt this by saying that if this shouldn't be its own topic feel free to move it. I thought it would be fun to try and create an offseason plan so here goes.

The major problem that I see with the personnel the Cavs currently have on the roster is the redundancy of roles. Ben Wallace and Anderson Varaejo, while both talented players, cannot exist on the floor together or in any offensive minded lineup. Boobie Gibson and Delonte West struggle to defend while on the court with each other. Zydrunas and Joe Smith both have similar offensive mindsets with the pick and pop mid range game.

What I was trying to do with my plan is to add some explosive athleticism, take some pressure off of Lebron defensively, and reduce redundancy on the court. Anyways here goes-let me know what you think.

Deal #1

Cavs Send:
PF Ben Wallace
G Eric Snow
#19
'09 1st Round Pick

Knicks Send:
PF Zach Randolph
SF Jared Jeffries
#6

Why for New York?

As much as Knicks fans might now want to admit it, management needs to cut years off of multiple deals quickly. They cut two years off of their Jeffries mistake and take a year off of Randolph's contract. There is no upside to New York at this point and there won't be until they become more flexible. They also receive two later round picks-one this year which can add a developmental big with. So in conclusion-more cap flexibility and more ability to compete in this next five year.

Why for Cleveland?

The Cavaliers struggled with Andy and Big Ben on the court at the same time because they each have very little offensive game. Randolph, while an idiot and a non-hustler, does have a solid back to the basket set. With Z getting older, we need a guy who is able to score without Lebron on the court. Jared Jeffries is a looooong guy who can defend guys like Paul Pierce exceptionally. Lebron is a great on-ball guy--but he needs help. I think adding a long SF will add a lot to his offensive game. Jeffries also has a decent mid range shot and can bounce to the rim.

Leaves us with

West/Gibson
Wally/Sasha
Bron/Jeffries
Andy/Randolph/Joe Smith
Z/ ...

Trade #2

Cleveland Sends:

Wally Sczerbiak
Damon Jones

Indiana Sends:

Jermaine O'Neal

Forget the #11. This is a deal that provides us with tremendous flexibility in our offense because O'Neal, like Randolph, can score on his own. Unlike Randolph, O'Neal is an elite defender. I see playing Randolph more in the beginning of the year and working O'Neal in, saving his legs for the playoffs when it really counts.

West/Gibson
Sasha/?
Lebron/Jeffries
Andy/Randolph/Smith
Zydrunas/O'Neal

Draft

#6- Eric Gordon SG, Indiana

This is the key to ending redundancy in our offense IMO. Gordon has BOUNCE to the rim and an inconsistent shot. He got worn down near the end of the season last year but IMO very few guards got the pressure and attention he did. His stock fell but I think he fits in very well. His size also gives him defensive potential.

West/Gibson
Gordon/Sasha
Lebron/ Jeffries
Andy/Randolph
Zydrunas/O'Neal

That gives us athletic lineups like

Gibson
Gordon
Sasha
Lebron
O'Neal/Andy

That gives us defensive lineups like

West
Lebron
Jeffries
O'Neal
Zydrunas

That gives us shooting lineups like

West
Gibson
Lebron
Joe Smith
Zydrunas

That gives us minus Lebron lineups like

West
Gordon
Jeffries
Randolph
Zydrunas


I don't think either of these deals is too unrealistic and I think BOTH of them make our team better. So let me know what you think and again-if the mods need to move it go ahead.

That'd be OK, but I'm not sure if we would want to bring in both JO and Randolph, especially while only trading Wallace. We would need to Smith or AV for some backcourt help. Maybe even try to package one of them with #6 for a really good player.

I don't think you can trade back to back years number one picks and giving up two 1st picks for those Knicks seems excessive considering the rumored deal of Philly flipping picks with the Knicks and sending Evans for Randolph.

IMO, expiring alone will not get JO. You would probably have to add someone like Varejao or Pavs to the deal to get the Pacers interested.
Expiring is important in rebuilding, but a decent young player makes it easier to sell to your fans.

ummm.....you really want over $100 mil in backup power forwards???

give me redd and jo.....call it a day

Niko23 wrote:give me redd and jo.....call it a day

I just didn't see any way to do it. Regardless, thanks everyone for the comments.

Only way I trade up to the #6 spot is for OJ Mayo. Not for Eric Gordon. He doesn't fit what we need or what LeBron needs--a playmaker. Gordon can't create his own shot and he certainly can't create for others. Add that to him being too short for the SG spot and a defensive liability and I'll pass.

I could see us possibly trading up for Jerryd Bayless or Brook Lopez, but definitely not for Eric Gordon.

The concept of trading for Jermaine O'Neal is fine, but at least make it realistic to what the Pacers are getting. Same goes for the Knicks deal.

Niko23 wrote:ummm.....you really want over $100 mil in backup power forwards???

give me redd and jo.....call it a day

Exactly. There is no way that we'd have that much money being taken up by our frontcourt. In addition I don't think that teams that want to compete longterm are in the habit of trading away first rounders. Teams like SA actually mine the draft like it's gold.

Niko23 wrote:ummm.....you really want over $100 mil in backup power forwards???

give me redd and jo.....call it a day

hahahahahahhahahahaha i agree.

I would do some form of the NY trade but send them next years 2nds(both) and 2010 1st(they dont have one).

Then I would still do the Indy trade and swap picks.

Then we have two top 10 picks and we can either pickupa big and small and get Westbrook and Love or Arthur or my favorite is move up by trading with Memphis and getting #5(if OJ slips), #28, and Mike Miller(+Darko possibly if we add Joe Smith)

With that last trade we can be:

Delonte West/Daniel Gibson
Mike Miller/ OJ Mayo or Bayliss
Lebron James/ Sasha Pavilovic
Jermaine Oneal/ Zach Randolf /Jason Thompson(#28)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas/ Darko Milicic

A full lineup with youth at every position and trying to work a 8-10 man rotation. No team could handle that depth with Zach being our only defensive liability but him,Gibson, and Mayo or Bayliss being the offensive punch off the bench. Lebron and Zach are the only guys with contracts 3 yrs until Gibson and West sign which wont hurt us. Darko we have to train behind Z to be our future at the 5.

asa knicks fan i say no easily, my counter offer is zbo for wally and 19

KnicKs LiL NaTe wrote:asa knicks fan i say no easily, my counter offer is zbo for wally and 19

We would need extra incentive if we trade an expiring contract for Z-Bo. GIVING you our 1st round pick doesn't exactly intice us to do this deal.