ESPN reports Cavs/Memphis rumor has legs

[heathmalc]

Although we had a thread for Lowry, I thought we should have a thread for this specific rumor, as reported by ESPN, and confirmed by BW - Akron Beacon Journal.

The Cavaliers are said to be in heated discussions that would result in an 8-player block-buster trade between the Cavaliers and Memphis.

The Cavaliers would send Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, Shannon Brown, Cedric Simmons, Dwayne Jones and 2008 1st-round pick to Memphis, for Mike Miller, Kyle Lowry, and Brian Cardinal.

The Clippers and Nuggets are also interested in Miller and Lowry, and were considered favorites, but neither were willing to take on the contract of Cardinal.

If the Nuggets and Clippers refuse to take Cardinal, then there is a good chance that the Cavalier may complete this deal.

[Bamboozled]

This deal looks really good, as it answers our need for another scorer, and at least addresses our deficiencies at PG. I'm slightly worried about giving away both of our backup bigs, because it puts a bit more strain on Z's back.

[heathmalc]

I guess they (Cavs) figure they can go small, and use LeBron/Cardinal in that rotation untill Anderson gets healthy.

[Harper4Ferry?]

It also frees up 2 roster spots, I'm sure we can find a big or two out there that'd want to sign with us.

[L&H_05]

Aghhh this is the same thing from yesterday.. I thought it was something new..

[WUJU]

What up Heath! Miss your insight oN RCF...anyways do you have a link to what you are talking about from espn?

[heathmalc]

What up Heath! Miss your insight oN RCF...anyways do you have a link to what you are talking about from espn?

http://blog.cleveland.com/cavaliers_corner/2008/02/mike_miller_in_wine_and_gold.html

Mike Miller in wine and gold?

by Dan Labbe, cleveland.com February 20, 2008 09:56AM



When the Grizzlies traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers, it became fairly obvious that they were looking to deal key pieces to get young players and cap relief in return.

Could the Cavaliers help them out a bit?

Chad Ford reported on ESPN that Danny Ferry and the Cavs are making a final push to land Mike Miller before the deadline. Here's what Ford said:

"The deal, as described to me by a player agent, would send Miller, [Brian] Cardinal and [Kyle] Lowry to the Cavaliers for Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, Shannon Brown, Cedric Simmons and Dwayne Jones along with cash and at least one first-round pick from Cleveland."

Ford makes the point that the Cavs, since they don't have as many pieces as some other teams in the Miller sweepstakes, would be willing to take Cardinal's contract.

Here are the salary numbers on Cardinal and Miller:

Cardinal will make $6.3 million next year and $6.75 million the year after that. Miller makes $9 million next year and $9.75 million in 2009-2010.

The key to both of those contracts is they expire the summer of '09-'10, meaning that puts the Cavaliers in a position to either resign Miller or take his expiring money along with Cardinal's and use it to improve the team during the same offseason of LeBron James' free agency.

The Cavs would also still have the expiring deals of Damon Jones and Eric Snow, not to mention Drew Gooden's contract, as trade pieces this offseason and into next season to add a piece or two as well.

But the big question with any trade, at least when you consider yourself a contender, is does the trade make you better? If the deal were to go down as it's rumored, the answer is a resounding yes!

In 52 games this season, Miller is averaging 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and hitting on 43% of his three-point attempts. For his career, he's a 14 point scorer and a 40% three-point shooter in eight seasons. He's 6'8", 218 pounds, and would most likely take Sasha Pavlovic's starting spot at the two. He could also play the three if the Cavs go small and move LeBron to the four during stretches of games.

Why should you want Mike Miller in wine and gold? Because if you're anything like me, you're tired of seeing the likes of Ira Newble, Sasha Pavlovic and others miss wide-open jump shots.

Who is Kyle Lowry?

Kyle Lowry's a second-year point guard mixed up in the Mike Conley, Jr., Javaris Crittendon point guard conundrum in Memphis. In 63 career games, he's averaged 8 points, 3.5 assists and has not shown to be a particularly good shooter, hitting at around 39% from the field and under 30% from three-point range.

Still, he's only 21 and has some upside. Having him as part of the deal is certainly not a bad thing.

So now, Cavs fans, we play the waiting game...

Or, as Homer Simpson so eloquently put it, "The waiting game sucks. Let's play Hungry Hungry Hippos."

[WUJU]

Thanks Heath! Well we will see if it happens

[heathmalc]

According to other forums (no real proof if any of this is true)...

The Clippers have backed-away from the Miller-sweepstakes because they wont take on the contract of Cardinal.

Denver doesn't want the contract, but apparently hasn't absolutely said "No."

If Denver agrees to take Cardinal's contract, they will get the deal before us, as their contracts are better.

Hopefully there'll be an update by 5pm on this.

We can only keep our fingers crossed.

(You're welcome WUJU)

[CzBoobie]

This would be a great deal but I think it's too good for the Cavs to happen. I guess the Nuggets will get shooter they need and we'll be stucked with our less than admirable lineup...

[mneezy1]

For Miller and Lowry, I'll def. take on Cardinal's contract. This would give us:

Hughes
Miller
LeBron
Gooden
Z

with Gibson, AV, Pavs, DJ, and Lowry coming off.

I like!

[WUJU]

What the heck is Denver offering? And why is Denver in the picture? I don't understand how Miller would fit in. They don't need another shooter. They need a PG or Defender like Artest. J.R. Smith is a good shooter off their bench.....amazing to me...

[CzBoobie]

What the heck is Denver offering? And why is Denver in the picture? I don't understand how Miller would fit in. They don't need another shooter. They need a PG or Defender like Artest. J.R. Smith is a good shooter off their bench.....amazing to me...

You'll see.

Btw, Damon Jones is also a good shooter coming off our bench...

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

God, I hope this goes down. 3 of our biggest needs (shooting, PG, and 4th big) would be addressed.

[CzBoobie]

God, I hope this goes down. 3 of our biggest needs (shooting, PG, and 4th big) would be addressed.

That 4th big you mean Brian Cardinal? 6-8 who only shoots threes?

He would be more of a burden to get the deal done, well worth it imo, but not any kind of help inside.

[B Mac]

Lets just hope that Denver decides they want Artest and that the teams that miss out on Artest dont turn their attention to Mike.

Ive been drooling about this guy on the Cavs for ALMOST as long as the Bibby saga.

[heathmalc]

Lets just hope that Denver decides they want Artest and that the teams that miss out on Artest dont turn their attention to Mike.

Ive been drooling about this guy on the Cavs for ALMOST as long as the Bibby saga.

The "Artest to Denver" idea is apparently dead. Sacramento want Kleiza and Denver isn't willing to trade him for Artest, who can opt-out in 2 months (after this season).

A source close to the situation said Tuesday he would "bet against" the Nuggets acquiring Ron Artest of the Kings by Thursday's trade deadline if Linas Kleiza must be included in the deal. The source said it's "too risky" because Artest can opt out of his contract after the season and Kleiza has so much upside.

"It's kind of flattering," Kleiza said of being linked to trades. "But you've got to stay focused. There are a lot of rumors. I'm here and hope to stay here a long time." -- Rocky Mountain News

# Several league sources reiterated that the Nuggets had offered the expiring contract of forward Eduardo Najera and a first-round draft pick for Artest. The holdup, though, remained third-year small forward Linas Kleiza, a player who could certainly help the Kings in the present tense and without whom Geoff Petrie is not expected to do the deal. -- Sacramento Bee

I have also been drooling over the idea of having Mike Miller on our team. He has shot nearly 50% from 3pt land for the last 8 years and is widely considered one of the top-5 shooters in the NBA.

PLUS, he's 6'8, which means our line-up would remain BIG![/quote]

[Benedict_Boozer]

Let's be real. This is Cleveland sports.

We are not going to be on the receiving end of such a lopsided trade.

Ferry will once again just "almost" make the trade just like the Bibby deal

[B Mac]

Brian Windhorst

[Uncooked]

Let's be real. This is Cleveland sports.

We are not going to be on the receiving end of such a lopsided trade.

Ferry will once again just "almost" make the trade just like the Bibby deal

Agreed, no big trade this year.