Ferry's biggest job this summer

[Pula_86]

This was not an ECF problem. Our post players have been this way all season. This team completely relies on our guard play. You have got to have some post guys to balance the team out. Even if the Cavs are able to make it past the Magic (I've seen no indication since Orlando has controlled all 3 games), the Lakers will be too much for our post players.

[B Mac]

Easier said than done.

[RevMan26]

This was not an ECF problem. Our post players have been this way all season. This team completely relies on our guard play. You have got to have some post guys to balance the team out. Even if the Cavs are able to make it past the Magic (I've seen no indication since Orlando has controlled all 3 games), the Lakers will be too much for our post players.

I know it didn't start in the ECF, but since the ECF started, it has clearly been blown out of the water.

[Pula_86]

Easier said than done.

Agreed. It is not easy to stop the Magic's players. The problem is that our big guys do not fit our offense. Only Joe Smith really fits well with what the Cavs are trying to do. I don't think Big Z or Varajeo are consistent enough to keep. We need a guy who can hit a jumper and is not afraid to bang (Antioio McDyess or Glen Davis) and a guys who can alter shots (such as Shaq) if we want to compete. I have no idea why Ferry continues to neglect our post position. As a San Antonio disciple he should know that you win with balance. It is not as if the Cavs have not had the opportunities to improve their front court.

[aniloman]

I think this is the summer that Ferry amazes the entire league with his offseason moves.

[DowJones]

Guys, we don't need to blow anything up. You are very close to the dreaded "let's go after Zach Randolph" area.

If there is a great offer, like a Pau Gasol type of offer, then we should jump on it. But otherwise we need to just relax and be patient.

The only thing we really need to do is find a Center for the future that can bang a bit in the post. That player should cost us about $5-7 million. Verjao is a possibility. As is Marcin Gortat.

[wizardg]

Ferry has a MLE and Z and Ben's expiring contracts to package

Those 3 options lmost ensure that 09-10 will be better. One problem is that the 5 and 4 are hard to improve.

The other is that to get the best milage on Z and or Ben exp contracts he might have to wait until mid season. Maybe maybe not.

there are teams like Milwaukee looking to unload talent. More will come.

I believe as Gasol like trade will fall to the Cavs, it may be Bosh, or Amare, Boozer, Baron Davis, etc.

Or a series of smaller moves.

[Scoot McGroot]

2) The NBA had to take out a loan to help out 15 of the 30 league's teams financially. Basically, they needed this money just to meet their payroll for the rest of the season. The interesting thing is that most teams are saying that they didn't even feel the effects of the economic downturn this past season and that next season will be when it really shows up in season ticket renewals and attendance numbers since most of those were sold for this past season before the economy really bottomed out. Also, across the business world, advertisement dollars and corporate sponsorships are down big time and expect to see that effect teams.

3) Because of #2 it has been reported that the NBA will be decreasing the salary cap this upcoming season. This isn't a surprise considering the salary cap is set at 51% of Basketball Related Income as per the CBA. So, the NBA doesn't have to decrease the cap, the CBA already does that.

On #2:

Huh??

I mean, the loans were reported, but in no way, shape, or form, were they ever implied to be loans to simply help teams meet payroll. If that were the case, we would have half the NBA looking to move, sell, or shut down this summer. The loans were simply the NBA using their credit rating to help NBA teams secure money in case the economy is a long-term drain on the NBA, and many teams took the loans because it was just such a low interest rate, and they wanted to stock up even more long-term cash, just in case. Not because they couldn't pay their own employees or players.


The NBA isn't decreasing the salary cap because of the loans they offered, but rather, the salary cap is part of the CBA, and is linked directly to Basketball Related Income (BRI). All the NBA is saying is that BRI might decrease in the next couple years, meaning that the salary cap and luxury tax could drop over the next couple seasons. The loans had absolutely nothing to do with this.



However, as for Varejao's value? Look at what Jeff Foster has made over his career. It should ideally be right around there, as Varejao and Foster are the same hustle, keep loose balls alive, defensive type players that have almost no offensive skill whatsoever. Foster has always been around MLE money, and Varejao should be there as well. He should definitely be no higher than Udonis Haslem money (though both players have about the same value, Haslem's contract was just too much to begin with).

[34_fifty]

how bout fire mike brown and hire a real coach

[The Duke]

Suprised no mention of Shawn Marion.... fits Brons running style, rebounds excellent, wants to win now, plays good defense.

One of our posters suggest a sign / trade.

Given:

-Marion wants more the MLE... so Cavs cannot purely sign him.
-Cavs want to improve there front court.

Toronto and Cavs does a sign/trade with a decreasing amount salary contract... Marion gets the highest amount of the salary in the 2009-2010 year... and a decreased salary for the 2010 year, decreases further in 2011 season. Likely a 3 year type of deal.

Marion + POB(expires) for Z (expires) + JJ Hick
Marion + POB(expires) for Z (expires) + future 1st rounder

Or something else... but Marion would fit with Lebron and Ferry has one more offseason.

[TheOUTLAW]

I don't really want Marion under any circumstances. he's overpaid and really not all that productive. He'd have been helpful in this series, but orlando is a special case. It's not as though Marion played all that well with the Heat.

[The Duke]

Well if u can get him in the 9.5million range for 2009 books, 8.7million for 2010 books... 8.2million for 2011 books... something like that for example... then I dont think its overpaying really for a team looking to win now... giving away Z + assets you didnt use.... Z makes a big salary this coming year, so Marions salary needs to be high enough the 1st year to work under cap rules

Yes he would have helped vs the Magic. Next season who are you going to be playing in the Eastern Semi's or Finals.... either Boston or Magic ..... and I think Marion addresses your needs in both series especially with him being motivated extra next year

[6_Rings]

IMHO get JKidd & Shaq

[seren]

I don't really want Marion under any circumstances. he's overpaid and really not all that productive. He'd have been helpful in this series, but orlando is a special case. It's not as though Marion played all that well with the Heat.

How can he be overpaid? He doesn't even have a contract yet.

I think Cavs need an athletic PF, Marion or Odom, against players like Rashard or Garnett. It all comes down to match-ups and Cavs just don't have the players that can compete against those guys.

Ferry should make a shopping list and on top of the list, he should push hard for a PF that can play inside and outside as in Marion or Odom. If not, go after Rasheed.

Also he has to think big with the mid-level. See whether a guy like Kidd is available.

Lastly, call every GM, whose team needs to unload money. Call Bucks to see Redd or Jefferson is available. Explore S&T for CV. David West, Chandler, even a Stojakovic (who would match Hedo) would fit well. Obviously Shaq would be great. Prince and Hamilton are long shots, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

Cavs have to do something dramatic this summer in order to keep LJ or you may as well say goodbye to him.

[TheOUTLAW]

Seriously, the Cavs have never had a problem with Garnett