Aaron Laffey to be Activated
July 7, 2009Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 7/7/09
July 7, 2009As we’ve already discussed, technically no free agents are off the market until they sign contracts starting tomorrow. However, if we make the assumption that players stick to their verbal agreements then who is left for the Cavaliers to get?
We’re going to call the following free agents off the market. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva (Pistons), Hedo Turkoglu (Raptors), Ron Artest (Lakers), Trevor Ariza (Rockets), Jason Kidd (Mavs), Rasheed Wallace (Celtics), Marcin Gortat (Mavs), Mike Bibby (Hawks). Shawn Marion is reportedly very close to being a Maverick as well. There is a group of players that haven’t agreed to terms with anyone, but are going to be more expensive than the Cavs can afford with the cap. That group includes David Lee, Paul Milsap and Lamar Odom. Could there be a sign and trade with one of those players? Possibly, but not likely. (No chance with Odom.)
So who does that leave? First you have to look at former Cavs looking for contracts.
Anderson Varejao is the big name here. Since opting out of his deal last week, there have been zero reports of anyone contacting or even interested in Andy outside of Cleveland. Varejao turned down $6 million to test the free agent waters, but might be wise to revisit that figure with the Cavaliers. The Cavs have been looking at more athletic PFs in free agency so far, which might suggest that they are willing to let Andy walk away from the team. However, they have yet to sign one of these players. I’m of the opinion that Andy is still a great fit for this team. In fact I believe that opportunities for easy baskets would increase for Andy with Shaq’s presence in the post. Andy is good at moving without the ball and finding the right lane for passers.
Wally Szczerbiak is also a free agent, and like Andy the phone isn’t exactly ringing off the hook we imagine. We saw the first reports yesterday from Brian Windhorst that the Cavs are interested in bringing Wally back. One thing is certain, Wally is going to take one whopper of a pay cut this year. Wally can still shoot the basketball, which is really the only thing the Cavs would be bringing him back for.
Joe Smith would probably love another chance with the team, but the drafting of Danny Green probably means the end of the line for Smith. Joe had a rough postseason after the Pistons series, and was abused by the Magic.
Now for the rest of the group the Cavs could be looking at-
Marvin Williams, SF Atlanta- Williams is a restricted free agent, and most would expect the Hawks to match an offer for Williams (specially if it was just for the MLE, which is all Cleveland could offer. There would be a chance the Hawks would let him go, after signing Bibby and potentially having to to throw large chunks of cash at Josh Smith.
Channing Frye, PF Portland- TD did a good job talking about Frye earlier today. I’ll simply throw my 2 cents in and say that signing Frye to the full MLE would be a mistake. Frye’s point and rebound totals have dropped every year he’s been in the league. Obviously his playing time hurt him last year, but if he was really worth $5 million a year wouldn’t he be able to get more than 11 minutes a game? One thing that Frye has going for him is that the Cavs have reportedly tried to trade for him in the past. Ferry can stubborn in his pursuit of a player that he feels would be a good fit (Delonte West.)
Linas Kleiza, SF Denver- Kleiza, another restricted free agent is likely to walk away from the Nuggets without a matching offer. The Nuggets have been pursuing their own free agent Chris Anderson, and more than likely don’t have room for Kleiza as well. He isn’t a great outside shooter, which might be more of what the Cavs would be looking for from a 6’8″ swingman. He does have a decent mid-range shot, and can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. Defensively, the Cavs could do better.
Antonio McDyess, PF Detroit- You have to wonder what McDyess was thinking walking off the floor after the Cavaliers swept the Pistons in the first round, and did it convincingly. McDyess was set free in mid-season after the Iverson trade and could have accepted the Cavs’ offer to play for a contender. Instead McDyess chose to stay where he was comfortable, and witnessed one ugly season. He played well though, and you have to imagine there is enough left in the tank for one more run. He will turn 35 in the upcoming season, and that would certainly give the Cavs one of the oldest front courts in the league with 37 year old Shaq and 34 year old Zydrunas.
Josh Childress, SG Atlanta- Childress played in Greece last year when contract talks broke down with Atlanta. Well, the Hawks still have rights to match any deal Childress signs. A somewhat streaky shooter, Childress would be a great addition to the Cavs. He is a tough match-up for traditional shooting guards, and could play the 3 in a small line-up. The Hawks will most likely match an offer for at least one of their UFA, and you would imagine Williams would be that player. Could Childress be had with the MLE?
Matt Barnes, SF Phoenix- WFNY readers probably know that I think Barnes is a great fit for this team. He is athletic and can get to the rim. Defense hasn’t been something he’s known for, but on the other hand he hasn’t exactly played for teams that preach defense (Golden State, Phoenix, Sacramento and the Knicks.) Would the team have to use the full MLE for Barnes? Probably not, which makes him more attractive to me.
Anthony Parker, SG Toronto- Parker is another player that has been on the Cavs’ radar for a while. With the signing of Hedo Turkoglu it appears that Parker will be let go. Another aging veteran, Parker can still hit the outside shot but can’t create it on his own. He doesn’t fit the ‘athletic swing man’ role that the Cavs are looking for defensively, but if they secure another player to fill that bill Parker could be a dangerous spot up shooter.
Other free agents the Cavs could take a look at include Dahntay Jones, Brandon Bass, Glen Davis (restricted), and Leon Powe.
22 Comments
I never thought of him until now, but I actually really like the prospects of Marvin Williams if we could get him here.
Just turned 23. Averages 15 and 7 per 36 minutes. Gets to the line AND hits 80 percent of his FTs. Over 45 percent from the floor.
Let’s do this.
Go get me Big Baby…The kid can score and is more athletic than you think….
I know there’s been a lot of Andy hating lately, but I for one, would like him back (as long as his price tag is no higher than about 7.2 mil per year). As I stated in another thread, I think McDyess would be a perfect compliment to this team and would come in hungry.
Childress or Barnes would be great additions, though I’ve read no reports that conclusively linked the Cavs to either player. Williams would be an intriguing addition but I don’t see the Hawks letting him go. (Speaking of which, what are the Hawks doing? Is it their plan simply to just bring back the team that was conclusively swept out of the playoffs last year and just call it a day?)
I’ll take a pass on the rest of the guys you discussed, though in the “other” category, both Bass and Davis could be contributors.
Scott is right. Marvin would be great for the Cavs. I would get the added bonus of listening to Hawks fans down here crying of why they kept Bibby over Williams.
In other Cavs news, with Avery Johnson breaking off discussions with Detroit over the head coaching job, it looks likely that the Cavs could lose Keuster to the Pistons. That would be a potentially big blow.
We obviously need a PF meaning Andy, Frye, or McDyess. McDyess is the obvious one out of that group. Then there is the “Stretch 2/3” a tall shooter and defender which would include Barnes, Childress, Kleiza, Williams and Parker. I prefer Barnes Childress or Parker. Getting younger down low would be nice with Big Baby but obviously is unlikely given our cap situation. Thoughts?
Marvin Williams would be an absolute coup for the MLE. That dude can flat-out ball.
What do people think of Marquis Daniels as a possible addition for the Cavs? He’s a 6-6 SG who also played PG and SF at times for the Pacers last year. He seems to be in the same ballpark in terms of production as the other guys on this list. Indiana has released him. Indiana’s always a good defensive team, so you’d think he’d be able to contribute on that end as well. I doubt he’d come for just the biannual exception, as he was scheduled to make about $7m before he was released. But maybe he’d come for part of the MLE?
Good addition to the mix, aufrank.
Daniels has always been a solid contributor when called upon, yet always finds himself buried wherever he is. Daniels is a solid defender – over a steal per game – and is coming off of a double-figure scoring season thanks to Dunleavy’s injury.
The issue the Cavs may have with him is his lack of outside shooting – career 23 percent from long range.
kuester being reported as the new pistons head coach on espn…dang
Actually aufrank, I left Daniels off because of the outside shooting. For a perimeter player, 23% from deep is just not acceptable.
Uh oh. Mike Brown is in charge of the offense again.
I love Marvin…but why would Atlanta not match? their ownership group is a mess, but they will likely bring back either Childress or Marvin…and Josh walked out on them last year (not to mention Marvin’s better), so I’m guessing it’ll be Marvin.
Marvin’s qualifying offer is for 7 million, so he likely wouldn’t accept an offer for the MLE, so it doesn’t matter whether or not Atl would match it because he wouldn’t agree to it. He will likely take the Ben Gordon route and accept the qualifying offer and be unrestricted next year. He might only make the MLE on the open market next year, but he would be a fool to take a long term deal starting at less than what he would make in Atl next year
Powe is flying under the radar. That dude is tough in the paint, and can rebound with the best of them in the league.
He would be a great add. I bet he will have chip on his shoulder after being passed by in Boston.
@LP – I like Powe too as a potential addition, but I believe he is still recovering from a knee injury and is not expected to be healthy again until mid-season. That’s part of the reason why Boston is letting him walk.
[…] rumor du jour involves our own Andy Varejao. As we detailed earlier, Andy is an important piece for the Cavs with one of the oldest center tandems in recent memory. In […]
I like matt barnes and big baby….they both can stretch the floor in different ways.. big baby more than barnes…. big baby grew up a bit in boston and would be a good fit
Glen Davis and Grant Hill are better fits to me. Artest was number 1 followed by Shaun Marion. There isn’t a single player left that could be had I would consider a difference maker.
Varejao is terrible, I’m not saying there isn’t a place for Varejao, but he was vastly overpaid and was the one who was abused against Orlando. You can’t start him against good players, he’s on the bench in 2 minutes, he doesn’t finish strong at the basket, isn’t a physical presence, at best he is 6 and 6 against bad teams. He will never be more than what he is and Ferry would be a fool to bring him back at anything close to what he opted out of when he shouldn’t have matched in the 1st place. You don’t overpay a guy that can’t defend his position.
Szcerbiak is another player that’s at best one dimensional and seasons past shown not to be a difference maker. No reason to bring him back, doing so only compromises the development of your young players. He can’t defend, get off his own shot consistently, and even at a drastic pay cut, no!
Joe Smith is a player I would bring back before Varejao in a heartbeat. I think he should have gotten more time and opportunities against Orlando. He scored in the post, rebounded, and defended. I don’t understand why Pavlovic was on the floor which hurt floor balance. Hickson and Jackson would benefit learning from Smith and playing alongside Shaq.
Matt Barnes, Anthony Parker, and Dahntay Jones all have flaws and aren’t difference makers. Parker can shoot, can’t defend, would be nothing more than a situational shooter. Been there with Szcerbiak and a role now manned by Gibson.
Barnes is tough, decent shot, can’t defend and is basically a duplicate part at best. He has put up decent numbers with opportunities.
Jones by far the best defender, most athletic, can get to the rack, but not a great shooter. Could improve there, could give more with more opportunities, but not must have.
I think you have all of that in Kinsey. He has size, athletic, can defend, get to the basket and score. Go check his $tats. He is a role player that could give more with more opportunities. He could even start. You also have Jw Williams who hasn’t played, and just drafted Green who should see the floor.
Personally, I’d love to have Shannon Brown back. I would sign Powe to the biannual if he doesn’t get an offer. If you’re going to have a guy on the bench all year, Wright, at least have a guy with upside and that can play.
I also like Frye. I remember the type player he was in New York. Portland just didn’t seem to be a good fit. Remember, West was on the bench in Seattle behind Ridnaur and Watson before coming to Cleveland and getting an opportunity.
At some point you have to have vision and move forward. Varejao is what he is. Develop your young bigs, play Shaq and Ilgauskas 22-25 minutes a game, they are now a part of what you do offensively. You not only get max production from the position, it has an impact on what else you do as a team, and you keep them fresh. Both can play another 3 years easy.
Don’t need the floor stretched, been stretching the floor for 3 years. I want guys that can get their own shot, get to the basket and score on the block, defend and rebound.
Coach Brown will be fine. Take the ball out of James hand, run the offense through the post, everyone gets opportunities to shine. Shaq big difference maker.
You know what? We don’t need anyone who can create their own shot. Lebron will create it – we just need someone who can hit it. How many times last year – in particular against Orlando – did Lebron pass to an open shooter and the shot was missed?
Wally missed them. Mo missed them. Boobie missed them. West missed a game winner in game 1 and plenty of other open shots. Get us someone who can shoot the ball – consistently. Anyone!
Why on earth they would consider bringing back Wally is beyond me. His shot has up and left. But yes, bring back Andy if his price is reasonable.
Is it true that as part of the Toronto-Dallas trade fror Marion, that we get Stackhouse?
Bob Blick
Saying to let James be the only one creating his own shot is a joke, its been that way the last 3 years. Only having to defend James off the dribble clearly plays into the strength of the defense. James should be finishing not creating. He did create he way to 40 misses in games 3 and 4, check his $tats.
Guys missed shots, I’m sure James missed more than anyone. When he dominates the ball as he has the tendency to do, he gets the ball to guys at the end of the shot clock, in bad situations to have success.
When you’re defended well and can’t get off your own shot, you will struggle, and will miss. West missed in game 1 after James shot the whole game. The one time James should have shot and finished at the basket, he didn’t even look to score. He gave the ball up and put it on West.
The Cav’s had no inside or post scoring. They’re basically a one dimensional team unless James “creates” at the basket. You take James away, you’re reduced to jump shooters that can’t make shots. How many shots did James miss in game 6?
No reason to bring Wally back, not even at a discount. No value in that. Anderson signed with Denver for 5 yrs 23 million, he is better than Varejao. I really like Grant Hill with Marion no longer an option.