Do the Cavs rebuild through free agency or the draft?

Pula_86 · Post #1 » by **Pula_86** » Fri Jul 9, 2010 8:40 pm

Focusing on the new Cavs, I wonder what the Cavs strategy should be moving forward. I subscribe to the building through the draft theory (e.g. Thunder, Blazers) instead of overpaying for free agents. I think you only add players through free agency who you think you can develop or are the final piece.

I personally want a tough, physical, defensive minded team in the image of Cleveland. I would love for the Cavs to target Glen Davis (expring next year), Nate Robinson, DeAndre Jordan (expires next year), Mike Conley (expires next year), Marc Gasol (expires next year), Greg Oden (expiring next year, if he stay s healthy), and Carl Landry (expiring next year). However, I still think they should (1) move burdensome contracts for draft picks and expiring contracts and (2) build through the draft. Dan Gilbert should consider adding Kevin Pritchard or Sam Presti as President.

#1 pick · Post #2 » by **#1 pick** » Fri Jul 9, 2010 9:07 pm

W/O a star, it will be impossible to build through FA like Minny. The draft obviously.

Nirvana · Post #3 » by **Nirvana** » Fri Jul 9, 2010 9:21 pm

I hope we target Ian Mahinmi, the young French center from the Spurs. He's looking for a team that will give him playing time and shouldn't be overly expensive. We have a big hole in our front court and need the influx of youth and size. I think it's a solid fit.

Overall, though, I think the draft is Cleveland's best hope of contending in the future. We've been pretty terrible for the last 15 years or so besides the gift and need to start making it count.

Wolves21 · Post #4 » by **Wolves21** » Fri Jul 9, 2010 9:42 pm

I know alot of you Cavs fans are real down and feel like this team is done,but as a semi cavs fan and and outsider looking in I think your team is still good enough to make the playoffs and are only a few players away.I real hope your own doesn't go the hole fire sale route.You now have a top five coach in the league with Bryon Scott and a good core of Mo,Jamison,Andy,JJ.....ect which should be enough to get you into the playoffs.All you real need is a starting center or back up center if you want Andy playing at center.Then a starting SG or SF,your still a solid team.I don't care how much LeBron did for the team their's no way the pretty much same team without him drops that much for a 61 win season.I could see you guys dropping aroud the 41 to 45 win level or so.But that's it.DON"T GIVE UP YET.

daboywonder2007 · Post #5 » by **daboywonder2007** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:15 am

do everything in your power to get chris paul and go from there. once you get paul, everything else should fall into place.

Ojmayo · Post #6 » by **Ojmayo** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:21 am

EddieJonesFan · Post #7 » by **EddieJonesFan** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:21 am

It takes a lot of luck and having an attractive roster to land a young superstar in free agency. I think you guys are going to need to rebuild through the draft, that's typically what gets it done for most teams in your situation. You really have no young core to build around.

Dirty Water · Post #8 » by **Dirty Water** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:19 pm

I think it's clear to many people at this point that Cleveland is cursed. I can't see you guys luring any free agents anytime soon. The best route for you guys is to build through the draft and trades. That's what Danny Ainge did for the Celtics and it worked out. We made good draft picks in Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, Rondo and Tony Allen. Aquire assets and make trades. It's proven to work.

As a Boston fan I feel so bad for you guys, I will be rooting for you over the Heat I think most Celtics fans will. I realize you've had much darker days than our franchise but we had some dark days all throughout the 90s. Keep your head up. Your team still has talent like others have stated.