First Cavs thought: Who can we take off their roster for cheap?

[wiley]

How about trying to convince Big Z to come here for the vet minimum?  It would leave us the Sheed's contract and provide a great backup to O'Neal.

I'd be shocked if he doesn't go to Miami (or retire).  Isn't he buddy-buddy with LeBron?  Miami's pretty desperate for big men, and he'd be pretty close to ideal (in a backup role) for what they need from their 5. 

I'm hoping for an athlete with a mean streak.  Someone Bynum, Lamar Odom and Lebron would prefer not to challenge in the lane......

Wouldn't it be sweet If that player also had Big Z's jumper?

[paintitgreen]

Unfortunately, the only guys the C's would want/need are the only guys the Cavs are not going to want to give up.  Varajao, Powe, and Hickson are pretty much the only guys on their rosters who make about what they deserve to make or less.  Those are the guys they will use to try to unload some of their bad contracts like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison...but they will give them away.

There's no reason for them to give up Hickson. But I disagree on Varejao being paid appropriately. He's overpaid for a long time on a bad team. Totally manageably salary on a good team but for a team without a chance, he's a waste of money, and his talent is wasted too. They should absolutely unload him to get rid of Boobie. If they don't, they'll regret it because his contract will become harder to move when people realize he can't help a bad team. And I'd definitely trade Davis with Sheed to get Varejao and take Boobie with him. And then cut Gibson. I can't stand him. Or let him have an Eddie House/Nate Robinson hot streak on the Cs and trade him for nothing at the first opportunity.

[JSD]

Based on Gilbert's letter, they ain't rebuilding.

[paintitgreen]

Based on Gilbert's letter, they ain't rebuilding.

They have absolutely no nucleus. They have to rebuild. He will come to his senses in a few months and realize he can't just throw in another player to their mix and hope to win, because there's no other player available who can fill half what Lebron gave them. If he doesn't realize this soon, his new GM will have to convince him of that fact quickly. They need way too much to get good so they have unload money to free up for the future. They're gonna have a terrible season anyway so if they don't get rid of some of their players, they're just gonna drive down the value further.

[Mr October]

Unfortunately, the only guys the C's would want/need are the only guys the Cavs are not going to want to give up.  Varajao, Powe, and Hickson are pretty much the only guys on their rosters who make about what they deserve to make or less.  Those are the guys they will use to try to unload some of their bad contracts like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison...but they will give them away.

There's no reason for them to give up Hickson. But I disagree on Varejao being paid appropriately. He's overpaid for a long time on a bad team. Totally manageably salary on a good team but for a team without a chance, he's a waste of money, and his talent is wasted too. They should absolutely unload him to get rid of Boobie. If they don't, they'll regret it because his contract will become harder to move when people realize he can't help a bad team. And I'd definitely trade Davis with Sheed to get Varejao and take Boobie with him. And then cut Gibson. I can't stand him. Or let him have an Eddie House/Nate Robinson hot streak on the Cs and trade him for nothing at the first opportunity.

Yeah, Varejao's price tag is too high for a rebuilding team.

[Brendan]

I agree passing up on Andy V because you have JO would be a mistake. But passing up on him because you can get Marvin Williams would make sense. I guess Moon or Parker and Andy V is better than just Marvin Williams.

[Jon]

How about trying to convince Big Z to come here for the vet minimum?  It would leave us the Sheed's contract and provide a great backup to O'Neal.

I'd be shocked if he doesn't go to Miami (or retire).  Isn't he buddy-buddy with LeBron?  Miami's pretty desperate for big men, and he'd be pretty close to ideal (in a backup role) for what they need from their 5. 

I'm hoping for an athlete with a mean streak.  Someone Bynum, Lamar Odom and Lebron would prefer not to challenge in the lane......

Wouldn't it be sweet If that player also had Big Z's jumper?

Well, keep in mind that Big Z would only have to play 15-20 mpg (BBD could fill in at any extra minutes).  And once Perk came back, he wouldn't necessarily have to play at all. 

[LooseCannon]

They have absolutely no nucleus. They have to rebuild. He will come to his senses in a few months and realize he can't just throw in another player to their mix and hope to win, because there's no other player available who can fill half what Lebron gave them. If he doesn't realize this soon, his new GM will have to convince him of that fact quickly. They need way too much to get good so they have unload money to free up for the future. They're gonna have a terrible season anyway so if they don't get rid of some of their players, they're just gonna drive down the value further.

The team is getting a huge trade exception in a S&T for LeBron which they have to use within 12 months.  They could probably acquire a talent on the level of Al Jefferson with it, if the other team is interested in draft picks.

[xmuscularghandix]

Here’s what they’ve got:

                                   10/11            11/12         12/13       13/14      14/15

Antawn Jamison      13.35MIL   15.07MIL
Maurice Williams     9.3MIL        8.5MIL           8.5MIL (player option)
Andy Varejao           7MIL           7.7MIL            8.4MIL      9.1MIL      9.8MIL (team option)
Delonte West           4.6MIL     
Daniel Gibson          4.01MIL     4.4MIL            4.7MIL
Jamario Moon          2.9MIL       3.1MIL
Anthony Parker       2.8MIL
Bassy Telfair            2.7MIL
JJ Hickson                 1.5MIL       2.3MIL(team option)
Leon Powe                900THOU



Basically a bunch of overpaid role players... It’s pretty clear that they were building a team to win “The King” MVP’s not Championships

[wiley]

I agree passing up on Andy V because you have JO would be a mistake. But passing up on him because you can get Marvin Williams would make sense. I guess Moon or Parker and Andy V is better than just Marvin Williams.

Very much agree.  I do wish I knew a bit more about Marvin Williams, however.  For example, can he do a good job defending PF's (who aren't built like Derrick Favors or Zach Randolph).  Can he defend Bosh, for example?  I'm imagining he'd do a good job on a guy like Bosh, being athletic as he is.

One issue I have with seeking out a stud wing over a stud big is minutes. I know TA is in the plans for defense.  So how many minutes are we going to give this new uber-wing that everyone wants?  Will Doc play him enough?  If yes, then by all means bring on elite level wing help.  If not so much, bring on a nice backup wing like Rasual Butler or I don't know, someone who can nail a 3 for sure.  But that's why Marvin Williams would be great.  He's not a strict 3.  He's a 3-4.

Between Williams and Varejao I honestly can't say who I'd choose, because I don't know enough about M. Williams defense.  But I would have to think I'd take Ben Wallace and Marvin Williams over Varejao and Moon, for example.  Well, let's face it, if we get either Williams or Varejao we're going to be doing somersaults (minus those who aren't Varejao fans).

If you tell me we have no shot at an elite big via Sheed, than the better the wing the happier I'll be. ( Just throwing that out there for those who think my big lust = wing hate.  It doesn't)

[FatjohnReturns]

Delonte please. He would bring some needed toughness at the guard spots.

[Surferdad]

Here’s what they’ve got:

                                   10/11            11/12         12/13       13/14      14/15

Antawn Jamison      13.35MIL   15.07MIL
Maurice Williams     9.3MIL        8.5MIL           8.5MIL (player option)
Andy Varejao           7MIL           7.7MIL            8.4MIL      9.1MIL      9.8MIL (team option)
Delonte West           4.6MIL     
Daniel Gibson          4.01MIL     4.4MIL            4.7MIL
Jamario Moon          2.9MIL       3.1MIL
Anthony Parker       2.8MIL
Bassy Telfair            2.7MIL
JJ Hickson                 1.5MIL       2.3MIL(team option)
Leon Powe                900THOU



Basically a bunch of overpaid role players... It’s pretty clear that they were building a team to win “The King” MVP’s not Championships

Well clearly they need to change direction here.  Like paintitgreen said, once Gilbert comes back to reality he will see that they have to either blow it up and be bad for a while, or play a totally different style of ball just to be competitive.  Byron Scott has his work cut out and we will see if he's really a good coach or not.  Without Lebron dominating the offense, other guys have to step up, and maybe they go to a more team-oriented style with more ball movement.  That said, LeBron was also their best defender, so no doubt they will not be a good team.  Another possibility is Scott going with a Jim O'Brien style of lining up all those 3-point shooters on the perimeter -- Gibson, Williams, even Antawn can hit that shot.

[Who]

I agree passing up on Andy V because you have JO would be a mistake. But passing up on him because you can get Marvin Williams would make sense. I guess Moon or Parker and Andy V is better than just Marvin Williams.

Very much agree.  I do wish I knew a bit more about Marvin Williams, however.  For example, can he do a good job defending PF's (who aren't built like Derrick Favors or Zach Randolph).  Can he defend Bosh, for example?  I'm imagining he'd do a good job on a guy like Bosh, being athletic as he is.

One issue I have with seeking out a stud wing over a stud big is minutes. I know TA is in the plans for defense.  So how many minutes are we going to give this new uber-wing that everyone wants?  Will Doc play him enough?  If yes, then by all means bring on elite level wing help.  If not so much, bring on a nice backup wing like Rasual Butler or I don't know, someone who can nail a 3 for sure.  But that's why Marvin Williams would be great.  He's not a strict 3.  He's a 3-4.

Between Williams and Varejao I honestly can't say who I'd choose, because I don't know enough about M. Williams defense.  But I would have to think I'd take Ben Wallace and Marvin Williams over Varejao and Moon, for example.  Well, let's face it, if we get either Williams or Varejao we're going to be doing somersaults (minus those who aren't Varejao fans).

If you tell me we have no shot at an elite big via Sheed, than the better the wing the happier I'll be. ( Just throwing that out there for those who think my big lust = wing hate.  It doesn't)

Atlanta struggled when they used Marvin Williams as a power forward.

Marvin shouldn't be used against players who are capable of playing the four position. Not against out and out fours like Zach Randolph or forwards like Rashard Lewis. He can be used at the power forward position against teams like Phoenix when they trust a non-PF wing like Dudley or Grant Hill to the four.

[wiley]

I agree passing up on Andy V because you have JO would be a mistake. But passing up on him because you can get Marvin Williams would make sense. I guess Moon or Parker and Andy V is better than just Marvin Williams.

Very much agree.  I do wish I knew a bit more about Marvin Williams, however.  For example, can he do a good job defending PF's (who aren't built like Derrick Favors or Zach Randolph).  Can he defend Bosh, for example?  I'm imagining he'd do a good job on a guy like Bosh, being athletic as he is.

One issue I have with seeking out a stud wing over a stud big is minutes. I know TA is in the plans for defense.  So how many minutes are we going to give this new uber-wing that everyone wants?  Will Doc play him enough?  If yes, then by all means bring on elite level wing help.  If not so much, bring on a nice backup wing like Rasual Butler or I don't know, someone who can nail a 3 for sure.  But that's why Marvin Williams would be great.  He's not a strict 3.  He's a 3-4.

Between Williams and Varejao I honestly can't say who I'd choose, because I don't know enough about M. Williams defense.  But I would have to think I'd take Ben Wallace and Marvin Williams over Varejao and Moon, for example.  Well, let's face it, if we get either Williams or Varejao we're going to be doing somersaults (minus those who aren't Varejao fans).

If you tell me we have no shot at an elite big via Sheed, than the better the wing the happier I'll be. ( Just throwing that out there for those who think my big lust = wing hate.  It doesn't)

Atlanta struggled when they used Marvin Williams as a power forward.

Marvin shouldn't be used against players who are capable of playing the four position. Not against out and out fours like Zach Randolph or forwards like Rashard Lewis. He can be used at the power forward position against teams like Phoenix when they trust a non-PF wing like Dudley or Grant Hill to the four.

Good to know.  Still would be a great catch I think, to rest Pierce (and Ray with Pierce at SG) but also at PF.  Pretty easy to imagine Lebron getting PF minutes next year.  Marvin could help out in that case I would think, and as you said against other small 4's.  I'd want K. Brown or B. Wallace to fill out the frontcourt, or some other banger willing to punsih people in the lane.  Because, let's face, Wade and Lebron will be getting into the lane next year, against our starters and against our bench.

[snively]

That Cleveland roster is a mess, akin to the 2003 Celtics without Pierce.  They're not going to be a FA destination so cap space in the short term is useless: it will only allow them to overpay guys like Corey Maggette, Travis Outlaw and Drew Gooden.  Their best chance is Danny's route: trades for young upside guys who have underwhelmed (Chris Mihm, Jiri Welsch) or aggravated (Ricky Davis) and acquire as many draft picks as possible (Delonte West, Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes, Leon Powe); and then some tanking to add value to your own draft picks.

Thus, I believe their best use of Varejao is in trade for young guys and draft picks.  Sheed's savings, 1 year of the Big Baby experience and a late 1st (probably in the 20-25 range) isn't much, but it's worth a shot.