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February 9, 2010Examining The O-Dog Pursuit
February 9, 2010
The trade deadline is just days away (nine days actually) and we’ve been monitoring all the options we can find for the Cavaliers. One option that hasn’t gotten much attention these days is adding a player after the deadline passes. This obviously is only accomplished by signing players to free agent deals. After the trade deadline passes there are occasionally players that hit the market because they have had their contracts bought out by the current team. It is something that the Cavs are quite familiar with.
Last season the Cavaliers reacquired veteran Joe Smith after the trade deadline when the Oklahoma City Thunder bought out his contract. While not an impact player, Smith logged 19 minutes per game with the Cavs and scored 6.6 points a contest. In the playoffs, Smith had 2 fantastic games against Detroit, but was abused in the series against Orlando.
In addition to getting the player they want, they also have missed out on players such as Antonio McDyess two years ago.
This season, with some franchises struggling with attendance, there could be a few more names added to the post-trade deadline free agent landscape. Now before we get crazy, none of these players are going to step into the starting rotation for us. The Suns won’t be buying out Stoudemire if they don’t trade him.
Here are some of the possibilities:
Bobby Simmons, SF New Jersey- The Cavs would have gotten a sneak peak at Simmons tonight as they host the Nets, but Simmons is not with the team to deal with a family emergency. Simmons has not fit into the Nets plans this year, and management has already said that they are willing to release him if they can’t move him by the deadline. Simmons can shoot from outside, but might be a little slow to cover SGs at this point in his career.
Tony Battie, C New Jersey- Also from the Nets, Battie hasn’t had much playing time this season. It seems unlikely that the Cavaliers would be interested in Battie, what with Shaq and Zydrunas playing limited minutes each. However, if Zydrunas was indeed moved, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cavs sign another big man. Battie could be insurance against Z not getting a buyout in case he is traded.
Ryan Gomes, SF Minnesota- The Wolves have to make a decision on Gomes by June 30th. If they keep him then his contract is guaranteed for the next three seasons. There is significant trade discussion surrounding him, and there is a chance that if Minnesota is just going to release him at the start of the summer, that they may release him early. He can hit the mid-range shot, which a lot of the Cavaliers don’t excel at. He may be a piece the Cavs might want for the future if he is released, but this season it probably doesn’t make sense.
One interesting note from Milwaukee is that the Bucks are considering trading PG Luke Ridnour. I’m still of the opinion that PG might be the position to address. Delonte may be coming back as soon as tonight (more on this later), but there is no telling how his legal issues are going to play out or how they will affect his status for the stretch drive and playoffs.
25 Comments
Not sure about this for me the last thing the Cavaliers need is another “role player” who requires LeBron James to do everything in order for him to be a factor. That being said of the players mentioned, Simmons-Battie-Gomes, Gomes hands down would be the best. Simmons is a big guy who thinks he’s a three point shooter and you already have enough Tony Battie’s on the team in Hickson, Varejao, Powe and Darnell Jackson.
I’m not for making a trade just to make a trade if this is where the Cavaliers are left then just play out with what you have but I’m hoping Ferry doesn’t make this mistake for the second year in a row otherwise the window to win a title will close even more and once again we’ll be left with that all to familiar feeling of not winning a championship or even worse not even making it to the finals for a chance at a championship.
Until then I’ll hold out hope for a Jamison or maybe even a Stoudamire (I read that he’s still a possibility because of his contract) and hope that Ferry has the guts that it takes to do something.
I think boogeyman needs to trade for a period, or at least sign a free agent comma. I almost passed out after reading his second paragraph.
/grammarschooled
if gomes is bought out and can be had for nothing, wow! sign me up.
This is too funny! Simmons,Battie or Gomes? And you wonder why the Cavs keep falling short. I can’t wait for the playoffs so the NBA’s “best team” can be exposed once again.
I will now make a ridiculous suggestion. He is a player that should be available right now on the open market. He is young and athletic, and has shown great potential, most notably as a rebounder and shot blocker. He has been hamstrung by legal/personal issues, but maybe someday someone will get him at the right time, and he’ll become a valuable piece.
Sean Williams, of Boston College and the New Jersey Nets.
(Okay, if he couldn’t get on the floor for the NETS, he can’t be very good anymore. But that potential he showed as a rookie…)
Remember when we were getting excited about who we could pick up after the deadline? Solid indication of how far this team as come.
EXCEPT WE STILL DON’T HAVE A STRETCH 4 AND NEED TO UPGRADE THE 2 IF WE WANT TO BE 4:1 FAVORITE TO WIN IT ALL!!!
@2 JNeids sorry it wasn’t as an insightful post as yours – keep up the good work!
If Gomes is bought out sign him as soon as possible without thinking twice. He would be a great player next to LBJ and can get his own shot.
imagine if the cavs signed a bought-out ryan gomes. that would give the cavs 3 former celtics. kind of funny.
how is Gomes that much different from Powe?
Gomes can shoot from the outside, drive, handle the ball, he can move, he can rebound although I don’t know how well compared to Powe, he can’t guard any Centers, and is a decent wing defender on SF’s and long PF’s.
gomes is more of a SF, who can play PF in a small-ball lineup. gomes is an excellent rebounder for his size and has a nice outside / mid-range shot. hes sort of a moderately undersized version of a stretch PF. Powe is a true PF. strong on defense, can rebound on both ends and gets hustle baskets inside, but really does not have much of an outside shot at all. Powe and Gomes are very different kinds of players.
thanks to both….i haven’t seen Gomes much since he left Boston (and they used them in similar roles as undersized PFs)…so I am glad to get an answer.
@13 mgbode Gomes likes the outside shot not exactly a high value on my list of desirable players however he does have more size which allows him to play inside. More importantly I could see him giving the Cavaliers some time at PF and with that being the stretch 4 who could play off of Shaq. Still all other things aside an Antawn Jamison or Amare Stoudamire would be the way I’d want to proceed even if it meant losing Z and Hickson.
Z, Hix, and Gibson for Amare.
It’s happening. You watch.
@Jack
I would be ok with that deal. It’d be nice to get another player in the deal as well. Obviously it’d be nice to be able to keep JJ and sub a few draft picks, but that can’t/won’t happen.
The thing about getting Amare that many are overlooking is that he would be our answer at C for years to come b/c right now, we don’t have our future C on the roster b/c Shaq/Z aren’t getting any younger folks. Amare is already an all-star caliber player and would almost force Lebron to resign if he truly cares about winning.
Starting 5 of Lebron/Mo/Delonte(?)/AV/Amare- Yes please!!!
Um, Oppie – Amare would be our answer at C until the off-season, when he’ll likely opt out of his player option and become a free agent.
I realize he’s supposed to be a FA this summer especially if he doesn’t take his player option, but I doubt Ferry would make the trade unless he had some sort of assurance (secretly of course) that Amare would resign. I’m of the belief that there’s no way Ferry makes the deal with out some sort of inclining that Amare would be staying. I realize nothing is set in stone and he could pull a Boozer and say one thing and do another, but I don’t think I’d see it happening.
Most of the GMs are trying to do the same as Ferry b/c the biggest hesitation of trading for Amare is just as you stated, him opting out and going elsewhere.
Amare would likely resign if we gave him the max….
but would you want to give the max to a player with surgeries on both knees…possibly a longterm eye issue…and a history of not playing defense and being difficult on team chemistry when things aren’t going well for him on the court?
Not sure on Amare unlike Antawn who I am very sure about but this should be an interesting couple of weeks.
boogey, please stop it with Jamison. I’m not trying to start an e-fight, but everyone and their mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins know what you think since you post it twice on every topic. Everyone else also has their own opinions that you aren’t going to change by posting the same thing over and over and over and over again. We all know that Jamison could be a good, helpful fit. Could.
There is absolutely no reason to Trade. The Cavs are loaded. Delonte and Mo are still out and the Cavs are winning. I love how Mike Brown keeps the rotation fresh. Darnell Jackson just needs to get some minutes now and then we’re good.
@21 Alex I’ll stop as soon as the above person quits with his constant comments. Unlike him I make points however and it was backed up by Brian Windhorst who tonight echoed much of what I’ve said. If you don’t like it don’t respond. Have a nice day!
Guys – no need to be antagonistic. That’s more or less the point of how we do things here. If you want to be a jerk, there’s literally millions of websites where you can feel free to do that. This isn’t the sort of place to show up and go “FIRST!!!!!11!!ONE11!!!!” or to validate how effing smart you (think you) are. If you want to do that, there are literally millions of websites that you can feel free to do that at. Otherwise, if you try and continue to do that sort of thing here, I can assure you that you will lose at being smart, to somebody.
Remember – we’re amongst friendly folk here. No need to be needlessly aggressive towards person X before they’ve even commented on a post. Seriously.
@ Denny Thanks, I have no clue why boogeyman is taking shots. Im here to speak my opinion not talk about people. Waiting on a ring, and that will come if the Cavs do not make a trade.
Thanks!