Looks like we dodged a bullet with the Cavs getting Shaq...

[Greenbean]

Chris Broussard is reporting on ESPN right now that the Cavs' plan B was to go after Tyson Chandler if the Shaq deal fell through. I think Chandler would have been a much better/younger fit for the team who would have made them BEASTLY defensively.

[CoachBo]

It's a decent move for the Cavs, not as big a deal as the media will make it out to be because Shaq will slow them down some. It's definitely an upgrade over Z, though.

[Fafnir]

Chris Broussard is reporting on ESPN right now that the Cavs' plan B was to go after Tyson Chandler if the Shaq deal fell through. I think Chandler would have been a much better/younger fit for the team who would have made them BEASTLY defensively.

If healthy sure he would have been, though he doesn't have any post game.

It would have also taken them out of the free agent sweepstakes for another max player. So if they can get Bosh/Amar'e/etc. to join LeBron we won't have dodged anything.

[Who]

Yeah, I think this trade could have been a lot worse for the Celtics. I'm fairly happy that Shaq was the guy they choose.

[JSD]

Isn't Chandler missing his big toe?  

[Greenbean]

Chris Broussard is reporting on ESPN right now that the Cavs' plan B was to go after Tyson Chandler if the Shaq deal fell through. I think Chandler would have been a much better/younger fit for the team who would have made them BEASTLY defensively.

If healthy sure he would have been, though he doesn't have any post game.

It would have also taken them out of the free agent sweepstakes for another max player. So if they can get Bosh/Amar'e/etc. to join LeBron we won't have joined anything.

I am pretty sure Shaq is going to want a 2 year extension meaning they wont have enough anyway. Does anyone know of Cleveland's cap situation. I dont see how they could afford Lebron AND Bosh/Amare/etc. in any scenario.

[JSD]

I actually think Shaq is a scarier scenario.

Having Chandler could have prevented the Cavs from adding a Wade or Bosh come next summer. With Shaq they get both an upgrade at the position and the financial relief for 2010. Ferry did the right thing.

[JSD]

I dont see how they could afford Lebron AND Bosh/Amare/etc. in any scenario.

According to Hoopshype.com, The Cavs will be in position to re-sign James to max dollars and add another max salary guy to their roster.



http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

[Fafnir]

Chris Broussard is reporting on ESPN right now that the Cavs' plan B was to go after Tyson Chandler if the Shaq deal fell through. I think Chandler would have been a much better/younger fit for the team who would have made them BEASTLY defensively.

If healthy sure he would have been, though he doesn't have any post game.

It would have also taken them out of the free agent sweepstakes for another max player. So if they can get Bosh/Amar'e/etc. to join LeBron we won't have joined anything.

I am pretty sure Shaq is going to want a 2 year extension meaning they wont have enough anyway. Does anyone know of Cleveland's cap situation. I dont see how they could afford Lebron AND Bosh/Amare/etc. in any scenario.

Sure if they give Shaq his two year extension, but they aren't going to do that.

[Greenbean]

I dont see how they could afford Lebron AND Bosh/Amare/etc. in any scenario.

According to Hoopshype.com, The Cavs will be in position to re-sign James to max dollars and add another max salary guy to their roster.



http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

Thanks for this, I definitely see your point now. I just cant see Shaq being happy with no extension. Talk about lack of job security, if it doesnt work out in Cleveland (which I believe is a 50/50 toss up right now) then the Cavs have a GREAT trading chip in season. Anyone here think Shaq could get traded twice in a calendar year?

[Fafnir]

I dont see how they could afford Lebron AND Bosh/Amare/etc. in any scenario.

According to Hoopshype.com, The Cavs will be in position to re-sign James to max dollars and add another max salary guy to their roster.



http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

Thanks for this, I definitely see your point now. I just cant see Shaq being happy with no extension. Talk about lack of job security, if it doesnt work out in Cleveland (which I believe is a 50/50 toss up right now) then the Cavs have a GREAT trading chip in season. Anyone here think Shaq could get traded twice in a calendar year?

Not unless he gets hurt or completely loses it. The Cavs will not give up his expiring deal unless they get Bosh, Amar'e, or another big time player.

So what other players could help them, have expiring deals, and would be available.

waiting for Shaq for Ray Allen threads to start up again....

[celticinorlando]

well...there is no way perkins get moved now....he is needed to bang on howard and shaq

[Greenbean]

I dont see how they could afford Lebron AND Bosh/Amare/etc. in any scenario.

According to Hoopshype.com, The Cavs will be in position to re-sign James to max dollars and add another max salary guy to their roster.



http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

Thanks for this, I definitely see your point now. I just cant see Shaq being happy with no extension. Talk about lack of job security, if it doesnt work out in Cleveland (which I believe is a 50/50 toss up right now) then the Cavs have a GREAT trading chip in season. Anyone here think Shaq could get traded twice in a calendar year?

Not unless he gets hurt or completely loses it. The Cavs will not give up his expiring deal unless they get Bosh, Amar'e, or another big time player.

So what other players could help them, have expiring deals, and would be available.

waiting for Shaq for Ray Allen threads to start up again....

Im not sure they could get a good player who is also expiring, but I do know that if the team takes a step back with Shaq, the front office will have to do something. If Lebron's last year before free agency results in anything less than a finals appearance (or an ECF loss to the C's) he is gone IMO. They may be able to convince Lebron that they will be able to pair him with another max player, but they will have to fill out the rest of the roster as well. If Lebron is going to start with a brand new team anyway, my gut tells me he will go to NY.

[bballdog384]

I dont think Shaq will be much better than Z. Shaq will clog up the middle and make it harder to drive to the hoop. Z could space the floor and draw his defender out to the three point point line, clearing the lane for James. If Shaq travels out of the paint, his defender will stay there, waiting for the driving James.

[JSD]

Im not sure they could get a good player who is also expiring, but I do know that if the team takes a step back with Shaq, the front office will have to do something. If Lebron's last year before free agency results in anything less than a finals appearance (or an ECF loss to the C's) he is gone IMO. They may be able to convince Lebron that they will be able to pair him with another max player, but they will have to fill out the rest of the roster as well. If Lebron is going to start with a brand new team anyway, my gut tells me he will go to NY.

Shaq doesn't need a Twitter message to know he isn't the long term solution for Cleveland. Even if they win the title I can see them going in another direction. 2010 is about putting the Cavaliers in position for multiple championships, so unless Shaq takes a massive pay cut he is a hired gun for one season.