Cavs fan inquiring about Josh Childress

[Witness23]

Is Josh Childress a priority this off-season for you guys or he is most likely not to return? Also wondering if you guys know where he stands with Greece. And how much is looking to get?

Thanks!

[evildallas]

He signed a 3 year deal in Greece with the option to opt out each summer last year that made him the highest paid player in Europe. His first year in Greece was so-so. An injury interrupted the middle of it, but he was back for the Euroleague championships. They made it to the Final Four but lost to their arch-rival in the semis. Josh missed a put back that would have sent the game to OT. He was held out of the 3rd place game for undisclosed reasons. A month later they lost the Greek championship in (3 games to 1) against their same rival. Josh had 2 pretty good games (the win and a 2 pt loss) and 2 pretty bad games (both blowout losses). I'm sure he plans on staying in Greece, but there is pressure to coming up short against the big rival and also in being the highest paid.

I don't think he's a front office priority because it is a long shot that he'd return and we don't want to exceed the luxury tax threshold. Personally, I've got no desire to have Josh back. I'm not bitter he went to Greece (I didn't want him last summer and I argued that he should have been traded the summer before). He's an athletic wing, but offensively he's got a slow release on an ugly shot from outside which makes it even less effective. He can run the floor, but I question his lateral quickness which hurts him in defensive iso situations against better NBA offensive players. He's got a good basketball IQ and is an excellent glue guy, but unless you have at least 3 shooters on the floor with him his offensive limitations will be too great. When he was here our roster didn't have enough shooters in it for him to be most effective.

As far as what he's looking for, he wanted more than the MLE and the chance to start last summer. I'm not sure if those demands have changed or if it would different for a franchise like Cleveland.

Hope that helps.

[Witness23]

Damn thanks so much

[europa]

Bucks fan here - if the Hawks aren't interested in bringing Childress back, would they have an interest in a deal involving Bowen and either Joe Alexander or one of the Bucks' many expiring contracts? Bowen's salary is 50% non-guaranteed if he's waived by Aug. 1 and he may even retire.

[lunarblues]

any trade involving childress would be adding to the payroll. because of that, it would have to be a talent-equal trade. maybe if sessions wanted to come to the hawks, but i doubt sund would put more money on the payroll to pick up joe alexander.

[europa]

any trade involving childress would be adding to the payroll. because of that, it would have to be a talent-equal trade. maybe if sessions wanted to come to the hawks, but i doubt sund would put more money on the payroll to pick up joe alexander.

You'd be adding money to the payroll but would also be able to subtract some once Bowen is waived or retires. So let's say the deal was Bowen/Alexander for Childress. That would be adding $4.5M in salary after Bowen is waived. Would that be too much for the Hawks? Another option would be Bowen/Kurt Thomas. Thomas would provide a solid backup big to either replace Pachulia if he walks or bolster Atlanta's frontcourt depth.

[raleigh]

Absolutely, europa.

That's a great idea.

How about Morris/Childress -for- Bowen/Thomas?

[europa]

Absolutely, europa.

That's a great idea.

How about Morris/Childress -for- Bowen/Thomas?

I don't think Morris would have to be added but that works for me.

[raleigh]

Childress would likely be BYC, and Morris should help resolve that...

[europa]

Somebody get in touch with Rick Sund and make it happen.