Cavaliers Saw What They Needed To See In Summer League
July 19, 2010Coast To Coast – 07.19.2010
July 19, 2010As free agent after free agent continues to sign elsewhere in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to monitor the trading block with the hopes of finding pieces to fit within Byron Scott’s hopes of a running offense.
The Cavs had been in talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson prior to the big man being shipped to Utah to fill in the shoes vacated by Carlos Boozer. This inquiry came not long after the team had been looking at point guard Jonny Flynn, though it appears that Chris Grant was promptly told that the second-year player was not on the market. Third time around, the Cavaliers apparently have their eyes on another Minnesota point guard, this time in the form of Ramon Sessions.
Sessions was a player who the Cavaliers had some interest in prior to him signing on for four years with the Timberwolves. But after fighting for minutes with the abovementioned Flynn in Minnesota, the 24-year-old Sessions failed to live up to expectations. After acquiring yet another point guard in Luke Ridnour earlier this offseason, it appears that Sessions is for the having.
Despite averaging a career low in assists last season, Sessions provided two very solid seasons in Milwaukee. In limited time backing up Mo Williams in 2007-08, Sessions 8.1 points and 7.5 assists per game. He would step that up to 12.4 points in 2008-09 with only one additional minute per game. Per 36 minutes for his career, Sessions has averaged 14.8 points, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is not a three-point shooter by any stretch, hitting only 10 three-pointers over his entire three-year career, but where he excels is pushing the ball up the floor and distributing.
For his two seasons in Milwaukee, Sessions had PER figures well above average (17.45 and 18.81, respectively), averaged a double-double (11.5 points, 11.3 assists) over the final month of his rookie campaign, and on average had each assist lead to 2.25 points. While this may be a subjective task, extrapolating these figures out to 36 minutes means that Sessions could net the Cavs over 30 points per game on his own. Sure, this is far from what LeBron James provided the team, but Mo Williams’ “worth” in the identical regard has actually been a few ticks under 30 points per game. Factor in that Williams is three years older and has a contract that is considerably larger and it is easy to see what the Cavs see in the castaway Minnesota point guard.
With regard to Sessions’ new teammate Kosta Koufos, the Cavaliers are in the market for a young, moldable center. And while his numbers since leaving Ohio State have not wowed anyone, Koufos fits both areas of the criteria. Currently, as reported last week, the Cavaliers are set to start the season off with a front court of JJ Hickson (6-feet-9-inches) and Anderson Varejao (6-feet-10-inches), a considerable difference from a season ago with Shaquille O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas both standing north of seven-feet tall. The Canton, Ohio product is a seven-footer that has spent most of his career either on the bench or in the D-League where he averaged 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 30 minutes over 15 games.
In both instances, guard Delonte West and his considerably favorable contract continue to be the chip used in terms of compensation.
A third target, albeit a free agent instead of a trade target, is veteran small forward Matt Barnes. As reported by Brian Windhorst this past weekend, there appears to be mutual interest between the two parties – the Cavaliers had interest in Barnes last offseason prior to the forward signing with the Orlando Magic.
After experiencing career high numbers in Phoenix, Barnes reverted closer to his career averages last season with 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds over 26 minutes per game. At this stage, Barnes appears to be battling between playing an winning. If he covets playing time more than he does the chance to win a ring, Cleveland – a team looking for a small forward that can run and play defense – provides him with that opportunity. If he wants to win, he would have to be willing to take less money (and opportunity) than would be affordedto him with the Wine and Gold. Barnes’ addition to the Cavs would likely require most (if not all) of the mid-level exception.
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(Both photos courtesy of Associated Press, Barnes photo taken by Ben Margot)
37 Comments
Seeing the mutual interest in Barnes is somewhat bittersweet for me because I was in favor of him over Moon a year ago. He infuriated me in Orlando, but in the “would love to see him on our team” sense.
If the Cavs are going to push the tempo and want their PG to initiate offense and run the pick-and-roll, then Ramon Sessions is a much better fit and will give the Cavs better numbers than Mo, and for half the cost. Not that we have to get rid of Mo if we get Sessions, but Mo was a better fit in Mike Brown’s offense and Sessions is a better fit in Byron Scott’s offense. Go get him, he can play
I would agree to these addition. Certainly not a great team to be made, but you got the start of something. They need to get big, and West is inconsistent and has plenty of baggage. I dont know how salaries matchup, but it seems like West and/or Telfair would easily get this done.
love all 3 of these players in Scott’s system. And that is the BIG key, we have to remember these players are going to be used in Scott’s system, not LeBrons system (let’s face it, he ran the offense and was responsible for it’s victory’s and defeats.)
Sessions can run the floor, Koufos has size and has skill but even more importantly Barnes is that nitty gritty amazing athlete that can fill it up.
If Sessions deal falls through, go after Conley. Another quick PG for Scott’s system.
last piece to this year’s puzzle i’d like to see is Iggy in a Cavs uniform.
Koufous is a very bad idea even if he is a local kid.
As a fan who wants to watch a competitive product, I’m in favor of all of these moves. It’ll be interesting to see what Barnes does. With the exception of all the people who have gone to Miami, everyone else has taken more money.
Gotta say though that I’m conflicted about any move that makes the team any better. If this team is truly going to become a contender some day, moves like this probably don’t help as they will cement the team into mediocrity and prevent the team from landing stud talent in the draft.
The big issue for “better” is better now vs better long-term. These appear to help both aspects.
why is koufos a “very bad idea”? especially if we can get him for basically nothing? he has one year left on his rookie contract. if he stinks, that’s the end of it. whats the big deal? very low risk, high reward move here.
Don’t know about spending most or all of the MLE on Barnes, but that’s a good piece to have imo. He’s the proverbial guy you love to hate until he’s on your team. I can just see him getting rough and physical with LeBald and ruffling his feathers now…
saying this tongue in cheek (sort of): the cavs should just go after deshawn stevenson. does anyone in the league love to get after lbj more than that guy?
Koufous has no game–offensive or defensive. Is he a “stiff”?–yes. I know we need a center in the worst way…but lets get someone with at least some potential “upside”…unless the plan is to lose for the lottery…
@ AMC: feel the same ambivalence. You need dominating players to seriously contend, and you generally get them through the lottery unless you are extremely lucky. Don’t see Dan Gilbert as the type crumble up a roster and toss a season like 2002, not while his wounds are so fresh. Psychologically, easier to watch some spunky overachieving for a few seasons that ultimately goes nowhere. Hard to push this burned sports car of a roster into the chop shop and start totally from scratch. Even if that’s what we need.
On the othe hand, how chippy would the Cavs be with Barnes and Varejao on the same roster? That’s a nickname waiting to happen.
“Crash and Barnes”? “Matt and Splat”? “Ragged and Andy”?
I think Koufus is still under 22 years old.. SO, YEAH, HIS CAREER HAS PANNED OUT AND HE WILL BE THE WORST CENTER OF ALL TIME
Yes to the trade
Yes to Barnes
This team is starting to take form. I’d love to see Iggy, too (Christopher)
But I would accept Flip Murray off the bench instead.
@10 — The Cavaliers get Barnes and Stevenson + Delonte == The All Ink Team. Neck tattoos galore!
of names being bandied about, I like them in the following order:
Barnes (great point on Raggedy and Andy being enforcers Harv)
Conley (need a super-quick PG for Scott)
Koufos (agreed that he is far from finished developing)
Sessions (we could do better, but we could definitely do worse)
I’m more torn on Iggy. He’s interesting, but he’s a guy who has a contract that will likely be more than he’s worth. He’s not a goto guy, but might feel like he needs to be if he comes here.
Then again, he could develop into Gerald Wallace. And that guy is one of my favorite NBA players.
@Robbie – the Cavs would have to trade for Chris Anderson too.
@ Scott, I heard Joe Haden is slow. Whats up with that? I don’t want to move him to saftey. What do you foresee the backfield to look like?
/Ooohhhhh… this is a Cavs post. Sorry
i wouldnt mind Sessions at all…. and what the hell Kosta could pan out give him a break fellas
I agree with people saying Koufas is worth a risk if you get Sessions for West. Its a 1-year deal left, if he doesnt do anything o well.
It sounds like Byron Scott might be sour on Jamario Moon. I can’t understand why that would be… he was excellent for the Cavs last season and seems like he could do well as a starting SF. I’d rather the Cavs save their money then throw it at an underwhelming Matt Barnes. After watching Barnes with the Magic, he just doesn’t seem to offer very much to a team, and every time I saw him shoot he bricked it.
MLE-type money is too much for Barnes considering the situation of the franchise. We dont need him as a piece to help push us over the top like we did last year. We need him to be part of a rebuilding team with veteran contracts that are inexpensive, flexible, and short. 3 years for 3.5? Sure. 3 years at 5.5+? No way.
We have playing time for you. If you want it, come get it. If not, enjoy the bench buddy.
I know nothing about Koufos except that he was interesting when he was drafted, and then went nowhere… But my very unfounded impression is that he’s a Brad Miller type, not so quick and athletic. Is that something Scott is looking for?
I think the appeal for Barnes with the Cavs would be a 1 year deal at slightly more $$$ than the contenders are offering him.
a way of “proving his worth” so he can go fishing for a better contract next year. i’d be willing to do that if we think he can help our youngsters grow (maybe a 2 year deal w/ a team and player option on the 2nd year)
mgbode, I could deal with that. Except I would insist that a second year is a team option, not player.
yeah, obviously that would be preferred
I agree with mgbode, or have the 2nd year be non-guaranteed like West is now.
If anyone offers him three or more years I doubt he passes it up what with the impending lockout and looming new CBA.
Reports say Barnes to Raptors is imminent. Good. Play Moon, Parker, Danny Green, and maybe a little of Jamison at SF. He is not a difference maker, not a cheap pick up, and not in the long term future
2 years at $10mil ain’t bad for Barnes. but I agree. we didn’t really need him as much as a PG or C anyway.
Ramon Sessions would be a very nice pick-up. Don’t be fooled by his failure to impress in Minnesota. This is a guy who wound up in bad situations twice – first Milwaukee drafted Brandon Jennings and (understandably) chose to keep the veteran Luke Ridnour as a back-up, then Minnesota ran a triangle offense for which Sessions was a bad fit. The Cavs could do MUCH worse.
Reread this section a few times and man you guys must still be in a LeBronlike daze because I see nothing but rainbows and stars for guys named Sessions, Koufos and Barbes.. Who? .(side note I wanted Barnes a year ago as opposed to the ex-Globetrotter). Didn’t Milwaukee move Mo Williams so Sessions could start? That worked out so well that the Bucks drafted Jennings then traded Sessions tonMinnesora, Minnesota then went on to draft Flynn. Kinda makes you wonder know? And Koufos, please, Desperation for anyone taller then 6’10” would make me interested in him and even then I’d play an offense that ran simply because finding a big guy who isn’t a project is impossible.
I feel like the Cavaliers ate still in limbo and LeBron James isn’t even here. They don’t know which direction to go to improve. This is why I felt Gilbert’s promise to e
win a championship before Miami was a bad idea. Now that reality has begun to sink in and the Cavaliers have been unable to make a single move perhaps a lesson can be learned. I’m just sayin’.
@Shamrock,
I see the Cavs inaction thus far as a good thing. In spite of Gilbert’s rather ridiculous championship statement he hasn’t gone out and made ridiculous acquisitions just for the sake of making moves. Also, you might want to avoid confusing unable to make a single move and avoiding making a single move. I put the Cavs in the latter category, which would indicate that perhaps they have learned that lesson you allude to.
Also, you seem unsure if you want to bash Koufos or advocate for him. As several others mentioned above, his contract is up after this year and it is a no lose situation for a team that desperately needs some height at center.
Anything new on the Sessions/Doufus* trade.
* I really like Kosta, it’s just way too easy to mock his name, I had to take the cheap shot.
Sessions is just the type of player + contract the Cavs should be looking for. A nice, young player who has room to grow and is on a contract that won’t punish you incase he doesn’t pan out.
@33 Time will tell as they say all I know is what I see: nothing. If the Cavaliers rebuild I’d hope they’d have learned something from the past seven years.
Shamrock, you’ve been really critical of everything cavs, and yet offer no suggestions yourself. You want to see action, but also want them to rebuild…but not with guys like Sessions. How exactly?