Suggestions for Upgrading Clevelands Roster
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:21 pm
I am a Die Hard Portland Trail Blazer fan, but over the years King James has won me over. He is, in my opinion, the best player in the world, yes better than Kobe. My one problem has been that the front office never really given him an actual NBA team. It always seems like it's Lebron vs. the other team, with a various collection of make believe teammates who took "shock and awe" too literally, often standing in shock and awe of the abilities of the actual NBA players they were matched up against (see Finals Run vs. Spurs & 08 East. Conf. FInals where Lebron almost beat the Celtics himself, oh and every other game including this post season but NOT this regular season). Also, i challenge Mike Brown's coaching abilities, but I have not watched enough of the team to make that statement. I hope I haven't offended anyone before I get to my (perhaps naive or already suggested, and discussed at length) suggestions.
USING MLE
1. Sign Rasheed Wallace with your mid-level exception, assuming you still have it. I have read that Rasheed intends to finish his career with a Eastern Contender, so you will definitely fit the bill. He will likely command the full MLE but he seems worth his, IMO. He is a veteran with gritty defense and he can hit the open 3. That will make him a good front court mate for Shaq, and another threat for Lebron to pass too. He is also a much more capable shot blocker than Varejao is which will further deter opposing guard escapades into the lane.
1b. SIgn Brandon Bass to the MLE he is a very capable and moderately athletic rebounder. His physicality would complement Big Z very well.
2. Sign Josh Childress from Greece with the MLE. He is an unbelievably efficient scorer. He can slash effectively, run the floor well, and gets a lot of free throws which will be a great help in the playoffs where Jumpshots can stop falling. Although he can't shoot, his slashing would be good since Lebron and Mo seem to be the only ones consistently able to get in the lane. Also, this would allow CLE to put Lebron at the 4, and off ball, more often. Both of these are great because it adds versatility and spontaneity to your rotation and offense. Look at how much better an all around player Lebron and Carmelo got with the ability to move off ball more (with Carmelo able to do that MUCH more). Lebron would be able to post up and cut more. This would add more movement to an offense that became stagnant in the playoffs, contributing to the 2nd round loss to Orlando. Childress may not be a great rebounder but shaq, lebron and Hickson would probably make up for it.
TRADES
3. Trade Tarence Kinsey and next years 1st for GSW's Marco belinelli. He is a 6'5" guard who could also spell (very shortly) the SF spot. He is also a dead eye shooter with a decent 2.1 assists in 21 minutes. I think pairing him (as with any player EXCEPT Larry Hughes) with Lebron will make him better. This may not work and could take Jawad Williams as well.
4. Trade Varejao, assuming he doesn't opt out, to ATL for Childress.
4b. Trade Varejao for Rasheed in a S&T.
4c. Trade Varejao, Christian Eyenga, and two 2nd rounders for Hakim Warrick. This will give you a face up, athletic forward. He can score pretty well, posting 11.4 points 24.7 minutes, while playing with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. Mayo does not do a great job of creating shots or others and is ball dominant, so i deduced that he is pretty adept at being effective off-ball. This is a definite plus because, Shaq, Lebron, and to a lesser extent Mo, will dominate the ball. Also, his athleticism in the front court will allow the team to run the floor more often.
4d. Trade Christian Eyenga, next years 1st rounder for Hakeem Warrick.
Now not all of these moves can be done, as they require the use of the two main tools, the MLE and trading Varejao, assuming he choose not to opt out (i dont know if he already has). If he has, perhaps a S&T? could be worked out.
Options 2 + option 4d. I think it gives fair value for Warrick, adding an additional 2nd rounders and cash should make it completely even. This would be the best, since it allows you to keep Varejao, or compensate for his opt out. Also it will allow you more flexibility at the Trade deadline in February in case an addition move needs to be made. As previously stated, it brings more athleticism and youth to the front court, also it leaves room for J.J. Hickson to get about 23 minutes a game.
Shaq-28-30 mpg--->Big Z 26-28 mpg--> Warrick 24-26 mpg--> Hickson 22-24 mpg-->Lebron/Childress get the remainder.
Also, Danny Green could fill the role of Childress, but I thought that adding a veteran would be better since it is WIN NOW mode. Also Green is primarily a shooter and I thought you needed another attacker, so you could get some easier, higher percentage shots.
I tried to target players who will help get some buckets in transition and dimensions to the team that were not previously there, or were not there outside of Lebron.
i don't know how much you guys value some of your players, namely Varejao and newly acquired Eyenga. I think V is good but could be upgraded. He is also one of your best assets right now since Pavlovic and Wallace are gone. Tell me what you guys think. I hope I was not a complete Homer with this and my suggestions are plausible, pragmatic and welcome.
USING MLE
1. Sign Rasheed Wallace with your mid-level exception, assuming you still have it. I have read that Rasheed intends to finish his career with a Eastern Contender, so you will definitely fit the bill. He will likely command the full MLE but he seems worth his, IMO. He is a veteran with gritty defense and he can hit the open 3. That will make him a good front court mate for Shaq, and another threat for Lebron to pass too. He is also a much more capable shot blocker than Varejao is which will further deter opposing guard escapades into the lane.
1b. SIgn Brandon Bass to the MLE he is a very capable and moderately athletic rebounder. His physicality would complement Big Z very well.
2. Sign Josh Childress from Greece with the MLE. He is an unbelievably efficient scorer. He can slash effectively, run the floor well, and gets a lot of free throws which will be a great help in the playoffs where Jumpshots can stop falling. Although he can't shoot, his slashing would be good since Lebron and Mo seem to be the only ones consistently able to get in the lane. Also, this would allow CLE to put Lebron at the 4, and off ball, more often. Both of these are great because it adds versatility and spontaneity to your rotation and offense. Look at how much better an all around player Lebron and Carmelo got with the ability to move off ball more (with Carmelo able to do that MUCH more). Lebron would be able to post up and cut more. This would add more movement to an offense that became stagnant in the playoffs, contributing to the 2nd round loss to Orlando. Childress may not be a great rebounder but shaq, lebron and Hickson would probably make up for it.
TRADES
3. Trade Tarence Kinsey and next years 1st for GSW's Marco belinelli. He is a 6'5" guard who could also spell (very shortly) the SF spot. He is also a dead eye shooter with a decent 2.1 assists in 21 minutes. I think pairing him (as with any player EXCEPT Larry Hughes) with Lebron will make him better. This may not work and could take Jawad Williams as well.
4. Trade Varejao, assuming he doesn't opt out, to ATL for Childress.
4b. Trade Varejao for Rasheed in a S&T.
4c. Trade Varejao, Christian Eyenga, and two 2nd rounders for Hakim Warrick. This will give you a face up, athletic forward. He can score pretty well, posting 11.4 points 24.7 minutes, while playing with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. Mayo does not do a great job of creating shots or others and is ball dominant, so i deduced that he is pretty adept at being effective off-ball. This is a definite plus because, Shaq, Lebron, and to a lesser extent Mo, will dominate the ball. Also, his athleticism in the front court will allow the team to run the floor more often.
4d. Trade Christian Eyenga, next years 1st rounder for Hakeem Warrick.
Now not all of these moves can be done, as they require the use of the two main tools, the MLE and trading Varejao, assuming he choose not to opt out (i dont know if he already has). If he has, perhaps a S&T? could be worked out.
Options 2 + option 4d. I think it gives fair value for Warrick, adding an additional 2nd rounders and cash should make it completely even. This would be the best, since it allows you to keep Varejao, or compensate for his opt out. Also it will allow you more flexibility at the Trade deadline in February in case an addition move needs to be made. As previously stated, it brings more athleticism and youth to the front court, also it leaves room for J.J. Hickson to get about 23 minutes a game.
Shaq-28-30 mpg--->Big Z 26-28 mpg--> Warrick 24-26 mpg--> Hickson 22-24 mpg-->Lebron/Childress get the remainder.
Also, Danny Green could fill the role of Childress, but I thought that adding a veteran would be better since it is WIN NOW mode. Also Green is primarily a shooter and I thought you needed another attacker, so you could get some easier, higher percentage shots.
I tried to target players who will help get some buckets in transition and dimensions to the team that were not previously there, or were not there outside of Lebron.
i don't know how much you guys value some of your players, namely Varejao and newly acquired Eyenga. I think V is good but could be upgraded. He is also one of your best assets right now since Pavlovic and Wallace are gone. Tell me what you guys think. I hope I was not a complete Homer with this and my suggestions are plausible, pragmatic and welcome.