Suggestions for Upgrading Clevelands Roster

[kajuayn]

I am a Die Hard Portland Trail Blazer fan, but over the years King James has won me over. He is, in my opinion, the best player in the world, yes better than Kobe. My one problem has been that the front office never really given him an actual NBA team. It always seems like it's Lebron vs. the other team, with a various collection of make believe teammates who took "shock and awe" too literally, often standing in shock and awe of the abilities of the actual NBA players they were matched up against (see Finals Run vs. Spurs & 08 East. Conf. FInals where Lebron almost beat the Celtics himself, oh and every other game including this post season but NOT this regular season). Also, i challenge Mike Brown's coaching abilities, but I have not watched enough of the team to make that statement. I hope I haven't offended anyone before I get to my (perhaps naive or already suggested, and discussed at length) suggestions.

USING MLE

1. Sign Rasheed Wallace with your mid-level exception, assuming you still have it. I have read that Rasheed intends to finish his career with a Eastern Contender, so you will definitely fit the bill. He will likely command the full MLE but he seems worth his, IMO. He is a veteran with gritty defense and he can hit the open 3. That will make him a good front court mate for Shaq, and another threat for Lebron to pass too. He is also a much more capable shot blocker than Varejao is which will further deter opposing guard escapades into the lane.

1b. SIgn Brandon Bass to the MLE he is a very capable and moderately athletic rebounder. His physicality would complement Big Z very well.

2. Sign Josh Childress from Greece with the MLE. He is an unbelievably efficient scorer. He can slash effectively, run the floor well, and gets a lot of free throws which will be a great help in the playoffs where Jumpshots can stop falling. Although he can't shoot, his slashing would be good since Lebron and Mo seem to be the only ones consistently able to get in the lane. Also, this would allow CLE to put Lebron at the 4, and off ball, more often. Both of these are great because it adds versatility and spontaneity to your rotation and offense. Look at how much better an all around player Lebron and Carmelo got with the ability to move off ball more (with Carmelo able to do that MUCH more). Lebron would be able to post up and cut more. This would add more movement to an offense that became stagnant in the playoffs, contributing to the 2nd round loss to Orlando. Childress may not be a great rebounder but shaq, lebron and Hickson would probably make up for it.

TRADES

3. Trade Tarence Kinsey and next years 1st for GSW's Marco belinelli. He is a 6'5" guard who could also spell (very shortly) the SF spot. He is also a dead eye shooter with a decent 2.1 assists in 21 minutes. I think pairing him (as with any player EXCEPT Larry Hughes) with Lebron will make him better. This may not work and could take Jawad Williams as well.

4. Trade Varejao, assuming he doesn't opt out, to ATL for Childress.
4b. Trade Varejao for Rasheed in a S&T.
4c. Trade Varejao, Christian Eyenga, and two 2nd rounders for Hakim Warrick. This will give you a face up, athletic forward. He can score pretty well, posting 11.4 points 24.7 minutes, while playing with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. Mayo does not do a great job of creating shots or others and is ball dominant, so i deduced that he is pretty adept at being effective off-ball. This is a definite plus because, Shaq, Lebron, and to a lesser extent Mo, will dominate the ball. Also, his athleticism in the front court will allow the team to run the floor more often.
4d. Trade Christian Eyenga, next years 1st rounder for Hakeem Warrick.
Now not all of these moves can be done, as they require the use of the two main tools, the MLE and trading Varejao, assuming he choose not to opt out (i dont know if he already has). If he has, perhaps a S&T? could be worked out.

Options 2 + option 4d. I think it gives fair value for Warrick, adding an additional 2nd rounders and cash should make it completely even. This would be the best, since it allows you to keep Varejao, or compensate for his opt out. Also it will allow you more flexibility at the Trade deadline in February in case an addition move needs to be made. As previously stated, it brings more athleticism and youth to the front court, also it leaves room for J.J. Hickson to get about 23 minutes a game.
Shaq-28-30 mpg--->Big Z 26-28 mpg--> Warrick 24-26 mpg--> Hickson 22-24 mpg-->Lebron/Childress get the remainder.

Also, Danny Green could fill the role of Childress, but I thought that adding a veteran would be better since it is WIN NOW mode. Also Green is primarily a shooter and I thought you needed another attacker, so you could get some easier, higher percentage shots.

I tried to target players who will help get some buckets in transition and dimensions to the team that were not previously there, or were not there outside of Lebron.

i don't know how much you guys value some of your players, namely Varejao and newly acquired Eyenga. I think V is good but could be upgraded. He is also one of your best assets right now since Pavlovic and Wallace are gone. Tell me what you guys think. I hope I was not a complete Homer with this and my suggestions are plausible, pragmatic and welcome.

[bcortell]

You could have easily put that here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=918586&start=0

So I'll say once again: MLE goes to CV/Sheed/Dice

BAE to someone like Barnes/Hill/Parker

AV either re-sgins or is S&T for a wing. Childress isn't a bad suggestion. Ron Artest has also been mentioned. Your other AV trades are awful for us.

[kajuayn]

thanks, I'll do that, didn't mean to duplicate forums that were already here.

[Rise Against]

Yeah, I don't like any of your AV trades.

[InBoobieWeTrust]

The AV trades are horrible, ESPECIALLY for Eyenga.

I'd say there's a good Chance Villanueva, Grant Hill, and Anderson Varejao(re-signed) will be the three guys to fill the Cavs' rotation.

[TheOUTLAW]

I've never seen more unbalanced trades on the Cavs board. Those are all terrible for the Cavs. You are overrating everyone that the Cavs would be receiving and underrating all the Cavaliers.

[DowJones]

1. Sign Matt Barnes or maybe Anthony Parker with the BAE/1 year deal. I think we could get one of those 2 and offer them a chance to play on a title contender and be a MAJOR piece. I lean towards Barnes because he is 6-7, tough, athletic, and can hit a 3. Parker is a little short and might not be as good on defense. IMO landing a 6-7 or so SF that can defend off the bench is VERY important. That allows us to go smaller when teams go small on us.

2. Use the MLE to sign Dice/Marion/CharlieV/Sheed/etc. We need a swing that can stretch the floor a bit. I might lean towards Dice because he is no-nonsense and I think we could get him for a one year deal at about $6 million...the start of MLE money.

3. Look to see what we could get for Z. Z is an expiring contract that could have some value. Something like Z to the Clippers, Kaman to Detroit, and Hamilton to Cleveland. Just something like that. Then Z could be bought-out and he could return to Cleveland, much like Joe Smith did.

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

The AV trades are horrible, ESPECIALLY for Eyenga.

I'd say there's a good Chance Villanueva, Grant Hill, and Anderson Varejao(re-signed) will be the three guys to fill the Cavs' rotation.

I agree. Resign Wally and we have:

Williams/Gibson
West/Hill
James/Szczerbiak
Villanueva/Varejao
O'Neal/Ilgauskas

With Green, Kinsey, Jackson, Hickson, and Williams to fill out the bench.

[Pula_86]

I agree DowJones. I love Matt Barnes as a player. He is just such a great fit as a role player. The Cavs don't need to have a bunch of superstars, but they do need solid role players that can come off the bench and contribute. Barnes has tremendous length and can knock down the outside shot. I also like how gritty Dahntay Jones is from Denver. I think either or both of these guys are a tremendous defensive and offensive upgrade from the inconsistent Wally and Gibson.

Another player who I think can help the Cavs out and adds athleticism is Renaldo Balkman in Denver. I would offer a 2nd round pick and cash to the Nuggets. Balkman is buried on the depth chart and aI think Balkman could be had for cheap. He's the type of guy that would be a less notable, but important upgrade.

Even with Shaq everyone agrees we need to upgrade the PF position with someone who can defend the athleticism of Orlando and Los Angeles. I love Antonio McDyess if you are looking to add experience. If the Hawks are trying to still dump Josh Smith to resign Marvin Williams then I would try to get a deal done. That would be ideal if at all possible. Another player who I like is Glen Davis, but will he be available? I hear CV's name come up alot. I have my reservations, but maybe he is able to break out on the Cavs. Can he handle other PFs in the league. A lineup like this would be great:

PG Delonte West/Boobie Gibson
SG Maurice Williams/Renaldo Balkman/Danny Green
SF Lebron James/Matt Barnes/Danny Green
PF Charlie Villeneauva/JJ Hickson
C Shaquille O'Neal/Big Z/Joe Smith

[gflem]

I would like to see that lineup here as well. I believe that Barnes could play the SG position at times if needed as well. His D will need to improve, but in most cases that is more of an effort thing. I think he has the ability to play better D, but will have to commit to being a complete player, not just a shooter.
And we know Balkman is a hustle player, if he can be had for cheap I would do that. You can never have enough hustle players on a roster. If he were here with Andy (resign?) those two would be a handful for opposing teams.

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Barnes can't play the 2. He's a 3 who can spend time at the 4. His outside shot is mediocre at best and he's never shown to be a good defender, although he does have the tools. I'm really floored that so many people want him so badly. I'd rather have Grant Hill or Anthony Parker over Barnes any day.

[old rem]

Barnes can't play the 2. He's a 3 who can spend time at the 4. His outside shot is mediocre at best and he's never shown to be a good defender, although he does have the tools. I'm really floored that so many people want him so badly. I'd rather have Grant Hill or Anthony Parker over Barnes any day.

Hill is a lot older.

Some of these ideas appear to think a team can do several full MLE deals?

GSW won't trade Belinnelli for...basicaslly..spacefillers.

[clipocketurs]

McDeyss and Rasheed turn 35 this year.

A lot of times, older players age over night (over the summer) so it's a big risk.

I'd rather get players under 32.

I prefer players who had a positive "net production."

Hakim Warrick had a postive net production aswell as a postive on court/off court +/-.

Not only might Warrick be a better player than Varejao, Warrick might cost half what AV will make.

Milsap, CV, Odom, Bass, Warrick, Chris Anderson are all guys I would want over Varejao based on their projected salaries.

[tidho]

I give Charlie V. the full MLE for four years then add no other salary for 2010 other than Hickson's option and Danny Green's deal. That leaves us the room for a max offer to Bosh in 2010.

This year I let Andy walk, then grab a SF and other depth on one year deals. Grant Hill would be a great fit, you can bring back Joe Smith on the vet minimum again too. We should be able to find some veteran bargains.

[NY Kicks]

Let Varejao walk, sign Hedo, make Magic sick , lol...Also, Shaq likes Hedo a lot, you'd benefit from chemistry...

Mo
West
Hedo
Bron
Shaq

This line up= World Champs for 2 years

[Rise Against]

Let Varejao walk, sign Hedo, make Magic sick , lol...Also, Shaq likes Hedo a lot, you'd benefit from chemistry...

Mo
West
Hedo
Bron
Shaq

This line up= World Champs for 2 years

Not going to happen. We can only offer Hedo the MLE, which is at about 5.6-5.8 million.. While you have Portland offering him a 50 million dollar contract for 5 years.