What pushes Cleveland over the top? (Wiretap Speculation)

[Wasp]

From the Wiretap:

Ever since the Cavaliers landed point guard Maurice Williams, there have been rumors that they are talking to the Knicks about a big man, according to The Morning Journal.

New York has a number of big men on the roster, including Eddy Curry, Jerome James, David Lee, Zach Randolph and Malik Rose.

My question to the citizens of RealGM is: Do any of these players put Cleveland on the same level as Boston? If I'm Cleveland, I take a risk on Randolph. The Cavs have to go for it now before Lebron bolts for Brooklyn and a scoring and rebounding PF makes them look awfully dangerous and finally gets Big Ben off of the court. Of course there are major question marks surrounding Randolph as his work ethic, character and sub-par defense are all concerns.

Thoughts?

[SOUL]

I think they need to replace Mike Brown, even though he's been good defensively and in the playoffs.. just hate his offense...

[dreamcloud]

I wonder if LeBron will feel more leaning towards leaving if they put together a roster of guys he doesn't like. Chemistry and how much he likes his teammates as friends I think will be big. I bet Randolph would make LeBron want to leave, just because Zbo is a douche bag..

[Rodya]

Hmmm, The Palace Brawl 2.0 - This time including Detroit and Boston, resulting with season long suspensions for each team's two best players. Oh yeah, Ben Wallace turns 28 on his next birthday...

[Iggyemu]

Well they gotta go all out. LeBron is gone in 2010. At least they are trying to make it not their fault by acquiring what they can to put a good enough team around him. Cleveland will always be a threat to make the finals. Too many weak teams in the East. And LeBron can beat good teams by himself or at least give his team a chance when they shouldn't have one at all. Championship wise...they'll need more than Mo Williams or any Knick big man to win a title.

[nitetrain8603]

Honestly, I think they need two guys. I view Maurice Williams in the same boat as a Rafer Alston. He might be a solid starter, but I would even put him on the bench once someone else better comes along. And he's nothing even halfway special.

I honestly believe they could use a guy like Ben Gordon. Someone who can create his own offense and would excel off the ball with LeBron creating open shots for him at the 3 point stripe. Then a guy like Zach Randolph(though I don't know how he'll fit personality wise) would put them in the same league as Boston I believe.

[C'mon Cavs]

The only Knick big man I would want on the Cavs is David Lee. If the Cavs got him I'd be ecstatic. He's a high energy, athletic power forwad that can finish...a perfet compliment to LeBron at the 4.
You'd see a LeBron to Lee oop at least once a game, and countless feeds inside from LBJ to Lee for dunks.

I highly doubt the Cavs would be able to get him from the Knicks though, seeing as he has more trade value than any player on their roster.

Lee probably wouldnt put the Cavs over the top though. If they got Lee and an athletic 2 guard that can defend, I'd be calling championship though. LeBron doesnt necessarily need another all-star next to him, just an upgrade in creators and athletes around him. Mo Williams is the creator, Lee would be the athlete, and an athletic 2 who can defend would be the glue guy.

I have no idea how that would happen, but that's what it would take in my mind. The shooting guard could be someone like Gerald Wallace, Coery Brewer, or Shane Battier (not an athlete tho).

Also, give them an elite power forward/center and they would win this year. Garnett, Duncan, Dwight Howard, Amare, Dirk, Yao, Bosh, Boozer, Gasol, West, Brand, Bynum (healthy). Give them any of those guys and they'd win next year. I realize those are some of the best players in the NBA, but the Cavs aren't all that close to winning the championship with the roster they have right now.

[Ballings7]

They still need a good 2nd offensive option... haven't had one since Boozer left (or would of been, at least). Once they get that guy, they'll be a balanced team with the offensive improvement, compared to what it's been and still is.

[MrCheerios]

Cleveland traded for the wrong buck. They should have tried to get Michael Redd, instead. Mo Williams is a fine scorer, but he's not nearly on the same level as Redd. Cleveland's just one good player away from contending for a title. Hopefully, they turn Wally's expiring into something nice.

[Duiz]

ROFLMAO... this would never put them on the same level as Boston... as long as frigging LeBron exists... specially his contract, they won't ever be able to be at that level.

[Flash3]

they need to get a sidekick to LeBron, and Williams doesn't fit that mold anyway you want to cut it.

[prekazi]

ROFLMAO... this would never put them on the same level as Boston... as long as frigging LeBron exists... specially his contract, they won't ever be able to be at that level.

LeBron's contract? He's earning less money than KG, Pierce or Allen so... didn't get your point to be honest.

[ljp24]

Cavs only have two years left of being a relevent franchise, then its back to the 20-30w teams again.

[Duiz]

True prekazi, both of the teams if I am right are both over the cap, and will pay the luxury tax. I guess it doesn't matter. I think that Cleveland should be looking to trade for expiring contracts, and get the buying power open to be an active suitor during the Free Agent market next year.

[HumbleBumbleBee]

a LBJ clone

[drew881]

Honestly, I think they need two guys. I view Maurice Williams in the same boat as a Rafer Alston. He might be a solid starter, but I would even put him on the bench once someone else better comes along. And he's nothing even halfway special.

I honestly believe they could use a guy like Ben Gordon. Someone who can create his own offense and would excel off the ball with LeBron creating open shots for him at the 3 point stripe. Then a guy like Zach Randolph(though I don't know how he'll fit personality wise) would put them in the same league as Boston I believe.

You clearly have never seen Mo Williams play. He is Ben Gordon but 2 inches shorter and plays PG, but is basically a shooting guard. Mo Williams will be like a better version of Gibson. Can shoot the ball well, but will have a better move off the dribble and can push the ball. He can be wreckless at times, but often he was the only one running the break for the Bucks.

[Bucs80]

Contracts like Ilgaulkus, Ben Wallace, and Szerbiack are the main reasons that they can't sign anything.

[celticfan42487]

I'm not quite sure but it's nothing that NY has for big men that's for sure. This is most likely more NY media bull.

They still have all those expirings. I just don't know whom they should trade for right now. I assumed ealier this year it would be Redd and then just re-sign West and away you go.

[joe.linnen]

I wonder if LeBron will feel more leaning towards leaving if they put together a roster of guys he doesn't like. Chemistry and how much he likes his teammates as friends I think will be big. I bet Randolph would make LeBron want to leave, just because Zbo is a douche bag..

If Randolph is all about winning then I don't see why James wouldn't stay.

Wallace for Randolph

SF:James
PF:ZBo
C:Big Z
SG:Sasha
PG:Williams

[devwat12]

Didn't Game 7 go down to the final minute? Didn't Cleveland improve their scoring and talent level by adding Mo Williams? Didn't Boston lose one of their best playoff performers in Posey? Why are people talking like there is a big gap between Boston and Cleveland?

Oh wait, these are the same guys that are convinced Lebron is going to sign with a bottom feeder in 2010. Nevermind, I answered my own questions. They don't know much about basketball.

The Cavs won't touch Randolph. Maybe they taker a flier on Curry if the price is right, but that's about it. They will save their assets and see who comes available before the trade deadline.