Potential Buyout Free Agents

Larry Joe Bird · Post #1 » by **Larry Joe Bird** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:37 pm

campybatman · Post #2 » by **campybatman** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:56 pm

The part about Smith open to signing with Cleveland if bought out is old news. I reported that a while ago and got ripped by most people. So, Boston will have stiff competition for any big man. It seems Cleveland decided to take the wait and see who shakes loose after the trade deadline approach too.

The Cavs would mostly be in the market for a backup big man, and already some options are developing. After making two trades this week, the Sacramento Kings released veteran big man Mikki Moore on Thursday.

Former Cav Joe Smith, who was traded to the Hornets before the deal was rescinded Wednesday, is expected to seek a buyout from the Thunder within the next week. Though reports have indicated the Boston Celtics will pursue Smith, a league source said if Smith can get a buyout, he will consider the Cavs. In December, Smith said he'd have interest in going back to Cleveland if he became a free agent.

In addition, there are some other names. The Cavs may consider Earl Barron, a versatile big man who played for the Miami Heat last season, as a free agent. Also, a league insider said on Thursday that veteran big man Robert Horry has not ruled out returning this season, and he has a relationship with Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... ut_se.html

chakdaddy · Post #3 » by **chakdaddy** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:27 pm

Because you really misquoted the article and spun it to imply that he was a lot more than "open" to returning to Cleveland...

Anyway, the rumors recently were than his real "top choice" is Boston.

And just like that original article from December - this is article from Cleveland looking at it from the Cavaliers' perspective; it does not imply anything about his relative desire in going to Boston vs Cleveland, and only states that the Cavaliers would be interested and Smith would consider going back there. It never said anything about whether he really meant that he would be open to going to Cleveland as a 2nd choice if he couldn't reunited with KG in Boston...