Page 1 of 2
Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:25 pm
by InBoobieWeTrust
Cleveland Cavaliers, Joe Smith reunion still possible: Cavaliers Insider
by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter
Friday February 27, 2009, 11:10 PM
SAN ANTONIO -- As they search everywhere possible, there is a stark reality the Cavaliers have to deal with as they look for some way to plug the hole left by Ben Wallace's broken leg.
The list of realistic options is short.
In fact, there appears to be just one player who could really help the Cavs in a rotation role and that is Joe Smith. The Joe Smith who is still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Several league sources said Friday that Smith and his agent, Dan Fegan, have been talking to the Thunder about securing a buyout. The Cavs have expressed interest, setting up what could be intensifying negotiations ahead of Sunday's midnight deadline for players to be released and still be eligible to join playoff rosters.
But with many factors at play, including the public positions on the matter of Smith and Thunder coach Scott Brooks, it is far from a sure thing.
There are other players available who the Cavs could add to their roster, but at the moment none seem to be more than third-string players or emergency reserves. Lorenzen Wright has already secured that role for the Cavs.
The Cavs had some interest earlier in the season in veteran Austin Croshere, but he has been cut three times this season. Earl Barron, who played for the Miami Heat last season and played in Europe earlier this season, is also an option but would be a question mark.
There have been some rumors than Rasho Nesterovic would seek a buyout from the Pacers but a league source said that is not going to happen.
So unless there is a surprise release in the league elsewhere, the Cavs are pretty much banking on Smith to get free.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... smith.htmlI've spent the last day talking to people and really scanning rosters. Unless there is a shocking move, Joe Smith looks like the only guy out there who could come in and truly contribute. Everyone else to me would look be a third stringer in reality. There is no information coming from anywhere right now. Not from the Thunder, not from the Cavs, not from Smith or his people. Which leads me to believe there is a lot of serious talking going on. I suspect one of two things will happen in the next 24 hours. Either Smith is bought out or someone is going to start complaining about it in some form.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... at_sp.htmlCOME HOME JOE, WE NEED YOU.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:28 pm
by InBoobieWeTrust
Friday, February 27, 2009
New info on Smith
I was told late Friday night that talks have started on a buyout of Joe Smith's contract in Oklahoma City.
The negotiations have just started. It has to be completed by Sunday in order for Smith to be added to the Cavs' playoff roster.
The Cavs have about $5 million remaining of their mid-level exception.
Another big man is needed by the Cavs.
http://clevelandcavaliersblog.blogspot.com/
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:34 pm
by Gordon Bombay
it would certainly help
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:28 pm
by 3peat
we... actually need j.smitty. please OKC give us another favor!
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:48 pm
by mg
After rescinding that Tyson Chander trade it sounds like Oklahoma City is all about saving money now. They still owe Joe approx 1.3 mil and probably can save most of it if they buy him out. Joe can make much more than that from the Cavs from their pro rated MLE they haven't used so it looks like a good chance he could be back in a Cavs uni soon. Not to mention Ben is injured(so Fegan has no beef about Andy's playing time), Joe isn't playing for the Thunder, and Mo is one of Joe's best friends. Looks like the stars might be aligning for one of these buyout players to finally land in Cleveland.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:31 pm
by Rise Against
It would be a blessing in disguise if Smith comes back.. That is much better than making a move at the trade deadline IMO.


Come home.. Come home.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:26 pm
by L&H_05
Is the sun shining or is Joe smiling ?
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:14 pm
by Benedict_Boozer
If we could bring in Joe....I would really like our chances this year. He blends the help defense of Varejao/Ben with an actual offensive game. He can also score from the post.
He is a great fit next to Andy AND Z, so when Andy plays backup center he can slide right in at PF and we'd still have JJ as the 4th big.
It's almost too good to be true. We don't catch these kind of breaks historically here in CLE...but we will see.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:40 pm
by Rise Against
L&H_05 wrote:Is the sun shining or is Joe smiling ?
Joe smiling = Sun shining
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:45 pm
by marcus15
Windhorst says "barring a shocking move." I've heard a few places state that Ben is convincing Sheed to seek a buyout and sign here.
If Sheed is possible I'd put all my energy into convincing him to come here. He would mean a guaranteed ship this year.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:55 pm
by Rise Against
^^No it will not. There is no such thing as a guaranteed championship.. Why in the world will Detroit buy Sheed out anyways? Not to mention, he already has 16 technical fouls for the season.. It wouldn't be good for us if he were suspended every time he receives another one.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 7:18 pm
by RevMan26
I think Sheed could help us, but it does not guarantee a championship. I don't even know if I would want him here.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 7:29 pm
by Gordon Bombay
come on back joe

Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 10:32 pm
by B Mac
Love the fact that Boston was too impatient to wait for Joe to get bought out and ended up with (wah wah) Mikki Moore's old broken down ass.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 10:56 pm
by mg
Only about 6 more hours left before the suppose 'deadline' to buy players out. Wonder if we'll even hear anything since the League offices are closed today?
If the Cavs end up with Joe it will almost serve the Celtics right. It's obvious there was some kind of tampering going on with Mikki Moore and Marbury. Under the table deals at the trade deadline between Sac/Boston and the chatter about Marbury signing with Boston for months...
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 11:05 pm
by InBoobieWeTrust
W&G is reporting Joe Smith buy-out/signing with the Cavs is basically a done deal.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 11:12 pm
by mg
Yippee, Joe could be a Cav as soon as Wednesday!!
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 11:27 pm
by B Mac
So in essence we just traded Damon Jones and half a season of Joe Smith for Mo Williams.
LOLZZZZ
Welcome back to town Joe. This time you got your best friend here with you.
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 11:40 pm
by Gordon Bombay
he's coming home!!!!
Re: Joe Smith Buy-out talks heating up?
Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2009 11:41 pm
by Rise Against
I am pissing my pants with excitement.