O’Neal to the Cavs Rumors Refuse to Go Away
Written By: Rick | Category: Cleveland Cavaliers | Comments: 14
Scott wrote a little while back about the rumor. In Chad Ford’s version the Cavs give away Zydrunas Ilgauskas….who are they parting with now?
This is becoming the summer of the undying trade rumors in Cleveland. First it was Matt Holliday, a rumor which is still a possibility. Of course on the other end of the Indians spectrum, we have the C.C. Sabathia rumors. For the Cavaliers we’ve seen names like Redd, Baron Davis and even Chauncey Billups. There was even one crazy guy that thought we could get Steve Nash. (Ok, that rumor started with me.) But one rumor that keeps going strong is Cleveland getting Jermaine O’Neal. The latest ‘report’ is that O’Neal himself is anticipating the trade-
The Indiana Pacers are trying to dangle the #11 pick in hopes of being able to package it with one of their ugly contracts (preferably Jermaine O’Neal). There is talk out of O’Neal’s camp that he anticipates being trade to Cleveland at some point this summer, possibly in a deal involving expiring contracts such as Wally Szczerbiak and Eric Snow.
The Pacers don’t want to give O’Neal away for nothing, but the temptation of shedding his 23 million dollar contract from their cap figure (giving them substantial cap space to work with in July of 2009) may be too great to pass up. On Cleveland’s end, it makes sense for their ownership to spend the money it will take to try and appease LeBron James and show them they are making the efforts to put together a championship caliber team. We’ve heard rumblings about this Cleveland/Indiana trade from a number of well-informed sources, so there appears to be at least some truth to it.
Let’s start with the obvious. This is not exactly CNN breaking this story, and so it has to be taken with a grain of ‘could be complete crap’. Would Wally and Eric’s contracts be enough for Indiana to ship O’Neal out of town? Who knows. It could be. Especially if the Pacers don’t think that O’Neal is interested in resigning with them down the road. They also haven’t gotten much from him in the last 4 seasons. O’Neal has played in only 62% of Indiana’s games over that span. His point totals have declined steadily during that time. O’Neal was averaging 24 points per contest in ’04 when he was injured. (That has been his career high in ppg by the way.) Since then he has posted averages of 20, 19, and 13. His rebounding totals stayed consistent, that is before this season, when he grabbed 6 boards a game, down 3 from his usual totals.
Even if we ‘only’ have to give up Szczerbiak and Snow, are we sure we want O’Neal? Look at the injury prone team we already have and tell me that adding O’Neal is a good idea. It just doesn’t make sense to me. Yes, it would be fantastic to add a guy who averages 20 and 10, but O’Neal is not that guy anymore. He is probably closer to 12 and 8, and that’s if he can stay on the court. Wally’s contract is our ace in the hole this offseason. That is an attractive expiring contract for most teams, and the guy is still able to play some, which is a bonus. Any deal that involves Wally will have to net the Cavs the primary piece to compliment LeBron and elevate us to championship level. Is O’Neal really that guy? I say no.
Another thing while we’re at it. This is from that same article-
One trade that is making the rounds would involve the Knicks sending Zach Randolph and the rights to the #6 pick to Philadelphia for a smaller contract, such as Reggie Evans, and the rights to the #16 pick-after July 1st (when Philadelphia’s cap space kicks in). New York would move into position to have significant cap space in the summer of 2010 (possibly to make a run at LeBron James) by unloading the 17.3 million dollars owed to Randolph in 2010/11, and would still be able to keep David Lee around.
Folks, let’s be real clear about this. When LeBron’s contract expires, it is not going to be an all-out bidding war. First of all, as I’ve said before, the Cavaliers do not have a single player under contract longer than LeBron James. None. Zero. Right now there is not a team that could offer James more money than Cleveland. Couldn’t happen. If LeBron James chooses to leave Cleveland, it won’t be because he is looking for the richest NBA deal he can find. The man realizes that if he takes up too much cap space it will be a one man show. I’m sure that lesson is drilled in his head. So stop talking about clearing tons of cap space in 2010. Yes, any team interested in James better have $25 million or better to work with then, but there is no need to clear away the entire roster.
Author: Rick
Rick is a co-founder and editor of WFNY. His love of Cleveland sports is surpassed only by his faith and love of his family. Follow him on Twitter- @rickwfny.Rick has written 887 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
I don’t like that trade at all. Too much money, not much in return (and we can expect 2 good years from him tops). Plus we’re giving away wally’s contract.
Since this is a purely speculative thread.
What about Wally, Andy and the cavs 2009 #1 for O’Neal and the pacers 2008 #1? We would still need more help next year, but could draft a Guard and a Big Guy and could be set up for a loooooooong time.
Indy would be forfeiting 2008-9, but would be setup for a super strong offseason next year.
I don’t get it Adam, you think the reported trade is no good, ties up too much money for an injured player and yet you’d do the deal if Cleveland gave them Andy instead of Snow and the teams swapped draft picks? Is there someone at #11 in this year’s draft that you think is worth it?
I think O’Neal has maybe 1 year of 20/8 left in him, maybe even 2, but that is far from a lock. He is 29, which isn’t old, but he has a lot of miles on his legs since he came straight from high school. If he hadn’t been so injury prone the last few years I would be much more inclined to agree to a deal like this. I agree about Szcerbiak’s contract 100%, when we trade him it better the move that puts us over the top. I was slightly intrigued when i heard this deal the first time, but the more I hear these rumors the more unsettling it is
I think Jermaine is desparate to play for a winner again. He still has game but needs to be motivated. Who knows, maybe playing with the Cavs would unleash that again.
FYI, that proposed deal gives us their first and us NOT giving ours back.
His character is also very questionable.
Also,
“…when Kosta Koufos’ Cavs jersey is flying out of stores…” is really hurting my brain.
Oh that was meant to hurt…
Wasnt the whole “he needs to play for a winner to get motivated argument used with Ben Wallace? Did that turn out as planned?
Well Ben Wallace is just bad, and never was any good on offense at least, so its different. But your point is still valid, the “playing on a contender will revitalize a players career” thing is a bit of a fairy tale. Besides, if he put up 20/8 on the Pacers, they would be pretty decent team. They would not contend for a title, but they would be a playoff team in the East
Get him. I’m thinking all he needs is a change of scenery. I wouldn’t want to play in Indy. They suck. The guy was one of the premier big men in the league a couple years ago. If they could get rid of Wally and Snow while swapping picks, I’d be happier than a pig in poop.
Rick! What’s happening? Thought you quit. How are the Indians doing? I’m still boycotting.
You take a vacation and suddenly people think you quit huh? Been good Jeremy, heading out to Round Camp next week…if you get really bored….you could come see me and Rubino.
That’d be fun! Which side are you guys going to be on?
Joe’s week is on the camp side, I’ll be helping both sides though, Sr. High on the Lodge side with Fred Schmidt.
Wait a second…..so in this scenario, the Cavs get the #11 pick and don’t give up #19?
Did anyone see that OJ Mayo hired LeBron’s agent, Leon Rose? What if the Cavs are looking to package #11 and #19 in some kind of package deal for New York’s #6 pick to take Mayo if he slips, which probably would happen if Minnesota takes Lopez at #3?
Just kidding.
NO NO NO NO NO. We already have an early 2000′s power forward/center star who’s washed up and has a massive contract. But there is a star shooting guard in Memphis who is in his prime that would love to play for a winner. (I’m just sayin’)