Indeed, both rumors turned out to be true, and it has been reported that the Cavaliers are still keeping an eye on the SJax situation in Goldenstate. In-addition to that, the Cavaliers are said to be looking/watching(?) for big men who can shoot the ball.
With Clipper Coach/GM Mike Dunleavy apparently in job-trouble, and ownership said to be looking to add to the money they will have available next season, it appears that Chris Kaman could once again be someone the Cavaliers may trade for.
The Clippers only have two players with more than a year on their contract that takes-up significant cap space: Baron Davis and Chris Kaman. Baron Davis is 30 years old, and makes 12+ million for 4 more years (after this one). So, Davis is not likely going to get traded, as there aren't many teams in the market for a pg that is his age, and doesn't offer much outside the ability to move quickly...and that wont last much longer. Chris Kaman, on the other hand, is still young, and averages about 20/10, and his contract is very good at 10.5 million with 3 years remaining.
Here is a scenario that I came up with that would seem to make sense (assuming that the Clippers are still willing to trade Kaman).
- To Cavaliers:
Chris Kaman
Stephen Jackson
Acie Law
- To Goldenstate:
Delonte West
Marty Collins
2010 2nd round pick from Clippers
3 Million Cash from Cavaliers
- To Clippers:
Zydrunas Illgauskas
Darnell Jackson
2010 1st round pick & 2012 1st round pick (top 10 protected) from Cavaliers
Why each team may do this trade:
Cavaliers:
The Cavaliers add another big who can shoot the ball very well, and also plays defense and rebounds. Kaman not only helps this year, but becomes the Cavaliers' Big man for the foreseeable future. Stephen Jackson adds what the Cavaliers have missed since Delonte has been gone, and although he is starting to get older, and has 3 more years (after this one) on his contract, he should remain valuable to the Cavs throughout the term of the contract, although he would likely move to the bench by next season; if not right from the start. Acie Law adds the an extra pg, who is young and is a short-term contract.
Clippers:
The Clippers add 11 million to their cap for next summer, and immediately become a big player for possible free-agents. They have a lot of young talent, and they have Baron....plus they are in California... These three things make them a possibility for any FA who is considering switching teams.
The Warriors
GoldenState gets more for Jackson than they probably could have hoped for. West is a low risk/high reward player, who if he gets back to playing, would be a steal....plus the 3 million they get from the Cavaliers virtually pays for the rest of his season. Marty Collins is an expiring contract, thus the Warriors essentially add 5 million to next summer's cap space, grab 2010's 2nd round pick from the Clippers, which should be pretty high, they get rid of SJax and his bloated contract, and they get a free shot at Delonte West.
