Before we jump to conclusions...

[eyejayem]

Ok so I have been trying to figure out many ways to get this 2nd or third option PF that will fit our system and not hinder our growth,cap, or future. And still put us in a situation to find Z's replacement, resign West, and possibly keep Varajao.

So I came up with a plan and with one trade we pretty much clear all scenarios but only one issue- it involves the Knicks. I know no Knicks but read the reasoning afterward and how we deal with it and I think we can all agree this is something that we could possibly do.

So three way trade with NYK/OKC:

Cle:

Incoming:
Chris Wilcox
Stephon Marbury

for

Wally Szczerbiak
Ben Wallace
Rights to Sasha Kahn
'09 2nd rd pick Chicago


NYK:

Incoming:
Wally Szczerbiak
Ben Wallace
Mouhamed Sene

for

David Lee
Malik Rose
Stephon Marbury


OKC:

Incoming:
David Lee
Malik Rose
Rights to Sasha Kahn
'09 2nd rd pick Chicago

for

Chris Wilcox
Mouhamed Sene


Why:
Cle- Wilcox starts at PF and becomes the 2nd/3rd option with his 13-14 pts and 7-8 boards and just turned 26 this week. We lose the redundance of AV and Big Ben. We dont want Steph and first I thought about a buyout or just putting him on IR for insurance. Delonte I am certain signs before losing more leverage. We keep our 1st for finding Z's replacement or using Marbury and/or 1st for big trade but is unlikely.

NYK- D'antoni gets two guys he has looked since he has been in NY. He gets his shooter in Wally and his defensive PF/C both who fit better than the guys who are going out. QRich stated to be possibly considering retiring(back) is easily replaced by spot up shooter Wally while Ben can start or backup and be the defensive blocking threat NY hasnt had in years. They get an additional 7-footer who becomes a project the Knicks need. The only piece they lose is Lee who has been in and out of rumors. Marbury wasnt going to play and Rose doesnt want to play nor does he fit.

OKC- Unsure whether they were going to resign Wilcox, OKC gets Lee who can be part of this future group whether they go big or small because of his versatility. This gives the Thunder a very versatile lineup and bench. They now have a couple big men overseas so adding Kahn gives them another chance at the big man lottery. They add yet another vet big who will likely be cut or something. The pick is something to add to their many picks next draft.There are chances they may want a PG instead of Lee, Robinson or Collins.

Cle lineup:
Williams/ West
Pavs/ Gibson
James/ Kinsey
Wilcox/ Wright/ JJ/ Jackson
Z/ Varajao

NYK lineup:
Duhon/ Robinson/ Roberson
Crawford/ Chandler/ Collins
Gallinari/ Wally
Randolf or Darko(rumor)/ Jeffries
Curry/ Wallace / Sene

OKC lineup:
Watson/ Westbrook
Durant/ Damien Wilkins/ Weaver
Green/ Desmond Mason
Collison/ D Lee/ Joe Smith
Petro/ Collison

[TheOUTLAW]

I'm pretty sure that the Cavs think that they might have Z's replacement in Kahn. I'm sure they'd trade him, but I don't think they are eager to do it. That being said, I'm not trading Wallace, Wally Kahn and a second for Wilcox and the luxury of paying Marbury. I'd rather just trade OKC a first for Wilcox straight up.

[Roger Murdock]

^^^^ what he said.

[Canomad]

I'm pretty sure that the Cavs think that they might have Z's replacement in Kahn. I'm sure they'd trade him, but I don't think they are eager to do it. That being said, I'm not trading Wallace, Wally Kahn and a second for Wilcox and the luxury of paying Marbury. I'd rather just trade OKC a first for Wilcox straight up.

no way the cavs think kahn is Zs replacement. back up at best thats it i dont even like that fact we gave him and darnell jackson a contract. i think they are scrubs in the making.

[eyejayem]

I may debate on whether to do this trade or a simple swap of Wilcox for a 1st.

In this trade you have significent chance of keeping Varajao since contract negotiations will likely begin once Ben is out the door. Depending on how Wilcox does, the front office may want to see a Wilcox/Varajao frontcourt and just worry about a big they can groom as Z's replacement . We get out of Ben's contract a year earlier. And even though we get Marbury and his contract isnt as easy to move as Wally I would rather his 21mil come off the books and then use that to resign Wilcox and Varajao.(16-18 mil total)

Now we would have our future near locked with a frontcourt combination of Wilcox/Varajao/JJ and we can either look for a replacement for Z in the next two years if it isnt Kahn(which I doubt). So our draft next year we can also look for a wing and not be desperate to look for a big. We will have the MLE and our 1st.

[bcortell]

no way the cavs think kahn is Zs replacement. back up at best thats it i dont even like that fact we gave him and darnell jackson a contract. i think they are scrubs in the making.

We didn't give kahn a contract. He's over in europe for the next three years.

[BadWolf]

Do you think Sasha Kahn is that good? I remember him as a scrub center with one big game in college, I might be wrong though.

The deal is great for Cavs and OKC, so it have to suck for NYK. They give Lee for Sene and swap expirings (is Big Ben expiring or 2 year?). Ben and Wally are not really the pieces NY needs, they'd rather give minutes to Chandler and Gallinari, oh and Lee. Swap lee with Zach and you might have a chance .

[TheOUTLAW]

I don't think that any deal that nets you Marbury is a steal for you. But of course, that could be me.

[BadWolf]

Marbury with Lebron might work, but I see what you mean. Wilcox would be a good pickup, as you're basically giving nothing of value for him. I'm not really sure why there's OKC involved, would you rather have Wilcox or Lee?

Then the deal is Wally, Kahn and 2nd for Lee and Rose? I'm sure NY wouldn't do it even if you include 1st. Maybe they're afraid about Lee's salary demands, but I'm sure they can get more elsewhere.

[eyejayem]

Cleveland
Unless Marbury changes his tune he is used simply to get out of Ben's contract 1 yr earlier so resigning Wilcox and Varajao wont be a problem. Varajao would now be open to staying now that Ben isnt the primary defensive big. Wilcox and Varajao would likely cost a total of ~17-19 mil while Marbury would come off the books for ~21-22mil. Getting Marbury and not releasing him outright gives us insurance with Delonte West if he does something stupid like leave.

OKC
They are in a situation where they may lose Wilcox for nothing if he doest resign. They just resigned Petro to be their center and Collison may move back to PF and since he was already losing minutes to Green who occasionally played PF(who will likely play more with Desmond Mason getting picked up). They need to get something for him at his highest value. Netting Lee who would probably be perfect for his versatility and double-double capabilities off the bench would be perfect backing the PF-SF spot. They have a couple of project Centers and Sene hadnt shown much improvement but is replaced with Kahn who could pan out overseas. The early 2nd is to add to their already stacked lineup of picks. They dont have vet backup PG so they may consider Robinson or Collins but I doubt that.

NY
Their ability to actually get someone who can play defense in the frontcourt is Key. Ben may not be like he used to but he plays better defense then anybody in their frontcourt now(Curry/ Randolf/ James/ etc). He expires before 2010. Wally is the pure shooter at the wing they they have been missing and would probably benefit more than any in playing in a D'antoni offense but he expires so he can make the Gallinari transition less painful. Chandler will get minutes at the 2/3 and we will likely hear QRich(same back issues) will retire soon and Wally can replace his shooting that he never had in NY. They also get out of the Marbury drama and in return get a project center(true 7 footer)better than any project center they have tried in the last 10 years.Technically they only lose Lee while the other two guys want out.