“I’m Gonna Be Like What’s His Name…”
June 27, 2008This Bud’s For You
June 28, 2008
It was only two days ago that we were told that the Cavaliers would look to get better through trades as opposed to the draft. Given the selection of J.J. Hickson in last night’s draft, I think it’s safe to say that the team’s “last resort” isn’t going to put an end to the off-season moves for this team.
At one point in time, the Knicks’ David Lee was the only untouchable player on the roster. Now, with the selection of Danilo Gallinari (booooooo!), the New York Post is hinting that Lee could be on the move.
Gallinari’s addition means the Knicks likely will trade Lee this summer for a point guard. Charlotte reportedly is interested, with Raymond Felton. The Knicks nearly dealt Lee to Memphis for their fifth pick, with Walsh saying a deal was “close.”
The new regime apparently feels Lee is limited and are hesitant want to give him a lavish contract extension by October because it could hurt their ability to get under the cap in 2010.
A quick look at Lee’s stats per 36 minutes (13 points, 11 rebounds, 0.8 steals) shows us that adding him to our front court would provide instant hustle, solid shooting percentages, and someone actually under the age of 30. Crazy concept, I know.
But would trading for him simply set up another team to create cap space by the infamous 2010? We’ve already heard countless times that the Nets’ trade is setting up the “inevitable.” But not making any moves to get better before 2010 on our end will not help matters much.
Of course you have to consider what the Knicks would want for Lee. New York looks to be interested in point guard Ray Felton, but they usually tend to be a sucker for expiring deals. I too am interested in Ray Felton, but that is because I’m getting pretty greedy while watching my teams fall just short of a banner. Plus, that’s a different post for a different day.
So, the question becomes: even though we now have approximately five guys that could play the “four,” do we look at another one? One with a proven track record of work ethic, production and the desire to win? Or do we use our assets (those that we have) to tackle other needs given that the 19-year old Hickson may or may not produce for at least a year or so?
I’m a big David Lee fan, so my opinion may be a bit biased. But I think it’s at least worth a shot.
9 Comments
I would trade Joe Smith or Anderson Varejao for David Lee in a heartbeat, I would even throw in next years 2nd round pick or Sasha Kaun or something. We might have to take on a bad contract, because David Lee doesn’t even make a million dollars a year, but I’d take Jared Jeffries and the 5.5 mil he is owed for the next 4 years as a way to balance out the salaries. Lee would be a good starter next to Z, provided Mike Brown realizes the worthlessness of Ben Wallace
AHH! Munch reporting a potential Baron Davis and Harrington to Cavs for AV, Wally, and DJ…Sounds like BS but they’re reporting it as news
Haha, where do I sign for that trade?
I’d love David Lee on our frontcourt…but it might take a little bit more than we think. Let’s face it: Raymond Felton is a pretty valuable piece. What do we have to match that?
I like the suggestion that we take Jared Jeffries’ bad contract back, but if we’re sending them just Varejao, I think the deal would have to be Varejao + Sasha Kuhn + ’09 first round pick (lottery protected, just to be safe) for Lee and Jeffries. I’d sign on to that deal, and I don’t see why the Knicks wouldn’t. Lee is probably better than anybody we can get next season, and our frontcourt gets infinitely better.
Really like this suggestion. I wish Ferry was this creative.
It would be nice if for once in my life I thought of the Cavs and not “Panama” when I heard the name David Lee. So what the heck, bring him on!
At least Lee isn’t a “flopper”…which is nice.
I like the J.J. pick and as long as we keep adding some athletic and physical players up front, I’m all for it.
Oh Munch is a crock of bull. That deal is more outlandish than the give away of Pau Gasol. AV is really not that valuable, plus he cant be traded with out consenting to the deal until December and that won’t happen unless he is getting a FAT contract from said team, which also won’t happen. As much as it pisses me off and as much as I dislike the ego maniacs in the front office, there isn’t much we can do with AV until probably the trade deadline.
P.S.: Again, I hate to defend Ferry, but get off his back about Hickson, there wasn’t much he had to choose from. Now if Game 1 comes around and he hasn’t added significantly to this team (which he says probably won’t happen) then we can tar and feather him (seriously, I will).
I seriously doubt that it is even possible to bring in a bonafide all-star until closer to the trade deadline, because teams are not willing to concede that they suck before the season even starts. It won’t be because Ferry didn’t try, it will be because he has done a poor job bringing in quality players that someone would want to trade for. I do think though that he is capable of pulling a trade for a David Lee caliber player or two before this offseason is over, and if we still have Wally at the deadline we will still be able to make a deal for an allstar caliber player that is stuck on a crappy team that wants to rebuild
I like David Lee a lot and feel like he would improve the Cavaliers. Unfortunately, my brain starts hurting whenever the words “trade machine” are mentioned. Can I assume it’s possible that we can get him so that I can have something to daydream about while the Indians are losing?