Cavs future?

[MMacOH]

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

I agree, but here is the problem.  The Cavs are tapped out when it comes to salary cap.  They have to sign Andy even if they don't plan on keeping him.  They can't just let him walk since they will still be capped out if he leaves

[BudweiserCeltic]

Cavs better do some good trades this season if they want to keep LeBron.

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

I agree, but here is the problem.  The Cavs are tapped out when it comes to salary cap.  They have to sign Andy even if they don't plan on keeping him.  They can't just let him walk since they will still be capped out if he leaves

Yep, and that's also the problem because it pretty much won't allow the Cavs to really have much buying power in 2010 to bring in someone to keep LeBron really interested.

[Fafnir]

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

Powe was in line for a pretty good pay day before he got hurt. So is it really that surprising that a taller version would get decent money?

[Fafnir]

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

I agree, but here is the problem.  The Cavs are tapped out when it comes to salary cap.  They have to sign Andy even if they don't plan on keeping him.  They can't just let him walk since they will still be capped out if he leaves

8 million per year is too much for him.

[Moranis]

First things first...the cavs are not looking to rent players for a year.  They are looking to build a core and be good for several years in a row.  The 'renting' players theory is assuming Lebron is leaving after next year which isn't happening. Lebron has spent 6 years developing with a team that is now a legitimate top 5 team.  He isn't going to start over again after next year.  The guy wants to win championships not rebuild organizations over and over.

Andy is going to resign with the Cavs.  The guy eats dinner with Z, takes Judo with Delonte West and has even written 'chose one 2' on himself.  He is great friends with everyone on the team.  He even did the chalk toss before game 5 of ORL series.  The Cavs are going to sign him.

I don't see the Cavs moving any young players in the offseason (specifically Hickson), but they will definitely be active again

I assumed they would bring in Bosh with the intent of re-signing him and Lebron and keeping them together for the next 6 (or more) seasons.  They are not getting Bosh without HIckson in the deal.  And frankly even if they both leave, if you are Cleveland you have to go for it.  Even by just going for it, you might convince Lebron to stay because then he knows they will go for it (even if bosh leaves after a year).  The Cavs have to get Lebron help and they have one year to do it.

[MMacOH]

Cavs better do some good trades this season if they want to keep LeBron.

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

I agree, but here is the problem.  The Cavs are tapped out when it comes to salary cap.  They have to sign Andy even if they don't plan on keeping him.  They can't just let him walk since they will still be capped out if he leaves

Yep, and that's also the problem because it pretty much won't allow the Cavs to really have much buying power in 2010 to bring in someone to keep LeBron really interested.

How so?  Z, Ben Wallace, Sasha, and a couple others (I am drawing a blank right now) come off the books for 2010.  The Cavs will have enough cap space to offer Lebron and someone else max contracts

[MMacOH]

First things first...the cavs are not looking to rent players for a year.  They are looking to build a core and be good for several years in a row.  The 'renting' players theory is assuming Lebron is leaving after next year which isn't happening. Lebron has spent 6 years developing with a team that is now a legitimate top 5 team.  He isn't going to start over again after next year.  The guy wants to win championships not rebuild organizations over and over.

Andy is going to resign with the Cavs.  The guy eats dinner with Z, takes Judo with Delonte West and has even written 'chose one 2' on himself.  He is great friends with everyone on the team.  He even did the chalk toss before game 5 of ORL series.  The Cavs are going to sign him.

I don't see the Cavs moving any young players in the offseason (specifically Hickson), but they will definitely be active again

I assumed they would bring in Bosh with the intent of re-signing him and Lebron and keeping them together for the next 6 (or more) seasons.  They are not getting Bosh without HIckson in the deal.  And frankly even if they both leave, if you are Cleveland you have to go for it.  Even by just going for it, you might convince Lebron to stay because then he knows they will go for it (even if bosh leaves after a year).  The Cavs have to get Lebron help and they have one year to do it.

Well, I don't think they need to convince Lebron to stay.  I don't think he plans on leaving.  That being said, the Cavs would absolutely give up Hickson for someone at the talent level of Bosh.

[Fafnir]

Cavs better do some good trades this season if they want to keep LeBron.

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

I agree, but here is the problem.  The Cavs are tapped out when it comes to salary cap.  They have to sign Andy even if they don't plan on keeping him.  They can't just let him walk since they will still be capped out if he leaves

Yep, and that's also the problem because it pretty much won't allow the Cavs to really have much buying power in 2010 to bring in someone to keep LeBron really interested.

How so?  Z, Ben Wallace, Sasha, and a couple others (I am drawing a blank right now) come off the books for 2010.  The Cavs will have enough cap space to offer Lebron and someone else max contracts

Which is why they have to be careful about how much they give AV if the are going to be active this year with acquiring other players.

[Chris]

Andy is going to opt out (as you found the story from Brian Windhorst), but I definitely think he will resign with the Cavs.  Only if he will make what he is worth though.  I think the Cavs will offer around 8 million a year.  I don't see them going over that number

That just seems really high to me. AV to me is just a taller version of Powe. He's not really that talented...he's just really...determined.

I agree, but here is the problem.  The Cavs are tapped out when it comes to salary cap.  They have to sign Andy even if they don't plan on keeping him.  They can't just let him walk since they will still be capped out if he leaves

8 million per year is too much for him.

Agreed.  Rebuilding teams can make mistakes like that, but championship contenders need to be smarter about throwing around money to role players.  If he is looking for anything more than say, 6 million a year, they are better off letting him walk, and using some of their expiring contracts and/or the MLE to replace him. 

While he may be a starter on that team, ideally, he would be a 6th man on any championship level team.  6th men should not be making more than the MLE.  The Cavs have the chance to completely rebuild their roster in the next two summers to make a true Dynasty level team, and overpaying a guy like Varajao could really screw that up.

[Chris]

I expect Varejao to opt out and to resign with Cleveland.

The Cavs want him long term and will offer him a contract of comparable, or slightly better, value than the one he's currently on. I think he'll be hard pressed to find a better offer than that.

The Grizzlies may be his best hope of gaining a larger contract. Not an ideal situation.

Hmm, I forgot about the Grizzlies.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if they offer to overpay him. 

[Moranis]

First things first...the cavs are not looking to rent players for a year.  They are looking to build a core and be good for several years in a row.  The 'renting' players theory is assuming Lebron is leaving after next year which isn't happening. Lebron has spent 6 years developing with a team that is now a legitimate top 5 team.  He isn't going to start over again after next year.  The guy wants to win championships not rebuild organizations over and over.

Andy is going to resign with the Cavs.  The guy eats dinner with Z, takes Judo with Delonte West and has even written 'chose one 2' on himself.  He is great friends with everyone on the team.  He even did the chalk toss before game 5 of ORL series.  The Cavs are going to sign him.

I don't see the Cavs moving any young players in the offseason (specifically Hickson), but they will definitely be active again

I assumed they would bring in Bosh with the intent of re-signing him and Lebron and keeping them together for the next 6 (or more) seasons.  They are not getting Bosh without HIckson in the deal.  And frankly even if they both leave, if you are Cleveland you have to go for it.  Even by just going for it, you might convince Lebron to stay because then he knows they will go for it (even if bosh leaves after a year).  The Cavs have to get Lebron help and they have one year to do it.

Well, I don't think they need to convince Lebron to stay.  I don't think he plans on leaving.  That being said, the Cavs would absolutely give up Hickson for someone at the talent level of Bosh.

Don't get me wrong I think Lebron will stay especially with that Chinese guy buying a stake in the Cavs, but if Lebron was thinking about leaving, another year of the status quo would not be the way to keep him in Cleveland.  The Cavs need to make a hard push for Amare or Bosh, both of which are likely on the market.

[Vineet]

Since I'm confident that Danny Ferry doesn't read this message board, here's what I do if I'm Cleveland.

Trade Ben Wallace for Vince Carter.

Cleveland gets a real sidekick to Lebron and NJ gets under the cap and away from that awful contract.  When Vince brings it, there aren't that many better than him.  With Lebron being the "leader," Vince can really prosper.

Cle starting lineup

Mo Williams
VC
Lebron
Andy
Big Z

Bench
West
Boobi
Hickson
Other SF to replace Wally

Dangerous team, talent wise

[crownsy]

Since I'm confident that Danny Ferry doesn't read this message board, here's what I do if I'm Cleveland.

Trade Ben Wallace for Vince Carter.

Cleveland gets a real sidekick to Lebron and NJ gets under the cap and away from that awful contract.  When Vince brings it, there aren't that many better than him.  With Lebron being the "leader," Vince can really prosper.

Cle starting lineup

Mo Williams
VC
Lebron
Andy
Big Z

Bench
West
Boobi
Hickson
Other SF to replace Wally

Dangerous team, talent wise

Ben wallace just told the media there's a pretty good chance he's going to retire, not sure if Jersey needs to cut cap that bad... if they do this works.

[hpantazo]

Since I'm confident that Danny Ferry doesn't read this message board, here's what I do if I'm Cleveland.

Trade Ben Wallace for Vince Carter.

Cleveland gets a real sidekick to Lebron and NJ gets under the cap and away from that awful contract.  When Vince brings it, there aren't that many better than him.  With Lebron being the "leader," Vince can really prosper.

Cle starting lineup

Mo Williams
VC
Lebron
Andy
Big Z

Bench
West
Boobi
Hickson
Other SF to replace Wally

Dangerous team, talent wise

that's actually a good idea for the cavs. Lebron gets a proven scorer to help him out and the nets save a lot of money. Man, the celtics better get some bench help this summer!

[Who]

I would have done the Vince Carter trade at the deadline, but I'm not sure they should make it now. What was likely the best remaining season of Carter's career just passed by, and the Cavs will now only get one season of service ... prior to 2010 when they can acquire someone better than Carter.

Two years extra over the 2010 option -- I was interested.
One year -- I'm uncertain.

I wouldn't necessarily be against it. Just not convinced it's the best play to make. It is still a good play.