RealGM

Lakers payroll is about $91 million.
Cavs payroll is about $80 million.

Would you want the Cavs to sign Wally to a one year deal for about $8 million just to use him in a trade sometime during the season?

Teams that are going to miss the 2010 playoffs are likely to have players available for expiring contracts.

Some players that might be available for expiring contracts: Brand, Redd, Diaw, Gerald Wallace, Zach, Troy Murphy, Al Jefferson (like Memphis with Gasol), Jason Richardson, Jamison (if Arenas can't play)

No thanks on Wally...

The cap is actually about 58 mil (57.7 i think) which means both teams are above for a variety of reason (read: exceptions) but I dont think we can just randomly sign wally...but even if we could i dunno if i would do it. I think if we were gonna do it, we would need to find a guy who could possibly help more even if we were gonna use them as trade bait later.

landphil wrote:The cap is actually about 58 mil (57.7 i think) which means both teams are above for a variety of reason (read: exceptions) but I dont think we can just randomly sign wally...but even if we could i dunno if i would do it. I think if we were gonna do it, we would need to find a guy who could possibly help more even if we were gonna use them as trade bait later.

We could sign Wally if we wanted to. No I don't want to.

If the Cavs trade Z, it'll probably be in a trade where Z gets cut and resigns with the Cavs.

That means the Cavs wouldn't need Wally's expiring contract to avoid losing talent.

Im of the opinion that you can never have enough assets available to trade. Having Wally, Shaq, and Z's expirings to work with would pretty much put us in any trade discussions that might come up especially if we are willing to part with some of our talent like Hickson and Delonte. With that said, its definitely not my money Im spending so Im good with it, but I can completely understand if Gilbert doesnt allow it.

Gilbert wouldn't agree to it because there is no guarantee Wally's contract can be moved for something we want. For example Ferry could have dumped him last year but didn't for whatever reason.

So let's say we pay Wally $8MM partially guaranteed or whatever, that would cost Gilbert like $16MM when you factor in luxury tax.

In other words unless the deal is completed in advance, like S&T of Wally for Jackson or whatever, it ain't happening.

I agree. While this is a creative idea being in the luxery tax likely makes the risk too high. Now if you could get him for $2M maybe you gamble if you expect to deal Z at some point.

I think they'll keep both centers all year.

I think Milwaukee would trade Redd for Z and Wally (1 year, $5 million) since they traded Richard Jefferson for nothing and didn't resign Ramon Sessions and Villanueva.
Z would be bought out and return to the Cavs.
Redd is expected to make a full recovery and was on the Beijing Olympic team.
Redd at 100% would make the Cavs even better and probably the favorite to win the championship.
Right now, Cleveland has the 6th highest payroll for 09-10; the Lakers, Boston, and Orlando have higher payrolls.