NBA Trade Rumors: Gerald Wallace to Cavs
Since we all love speculation, why not look at what other moves Danny Ferry may have in the hopper as we continue this offseason journey?
While discussing the Anthony Parker signing, Bob Finnan of the Morning Journal had the following:
One rumor floating around had the Cavs sending guard/forward Wally Szczerbiak and forward/center J.J. Hickson to Charlotte for forward Gerald Wallace in a sign-and-trade.
The Cavs hold Hickson in high regard, but Wallace is a stud defender. He also has four years and almost $40 million left on his contract.
So…Gerald Wallace, anyone? At 6′7″, he is a bit undersized if you want to slot him in at power forward. But while being a stud defender, as Mr. Finnan mentions, he also has the potential to go off for 20 points and 10 rebounds on any given night. If you liked Shawn Marion, you essentially have a younger (and less self-centered) version in Wallace.
He struggles at times when kept away from the hoop, but Wallace can get to the rim as easy as any player in the league while having the ability to jump out of the gym. He’s a hard-nosed player that has been known to sacrifice his body – sometimes to his detriment. But when he doesn’t convert at the hoop, Wallace has the innate ability to get to the foul line; he’s averaged over six free throw attempts per game over the last three years. Better yet, Wallace is coming off of a career year at the stripe, converting 80 percent of his attempts.
But what about the money? That contract could be a big drain – especially if you’re hoping that Chris Bosh et al will be looking to come here for the next seven years. Do you make the rumored trade and play for now? Making the deal would be ensuring an above average PER (18.6) player is added to this team for money that isn’t much more than was just given to Anderson Varejao (14.6). And similar to the Shaquille O’Neal trade, we’re essentially giving up two players that played insignificant minutes last season for a guy that could suit up for at least 30 minutes per night in 2009.
But on the flip side of the coin: Do we go into the season with what we have, maybe adding a Channing Frye instead, and go for broke next offseason?
The other issue is in the trading chips. First, the Cavaliers do not even have Wally Szczerbiak under contract. Given J.J. Hickson’s contract of $1.4 million, the Cavs would have to first sign Wally to a deal that would make the trade work. Secondly, the Cavaliers may love Hickson, but do they think that his back issues will be something that resonates for his entire career? The upside is great, and we could definitely use his skill set at the power forward once he matures in to the player that the team feels he will. But again, it’s a matter of player for now versus later when no one knows what the future may hold.
And of course, there’s always the question: Would Charlotte even consider this move?
As usual, stay tuned…
(Update 2:30 PM: Via Twitter, Windhorst states that there is “no truth” to Wallace rumors. Great.)
July 9th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Would Hickson pass a physical?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
…also a concern. his trade value would plummet if he didn’t…
July 9th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
My main question would be how does the news about the salary cap decreasing to $50-$54 million in 2010 affect our chances to sign another max player? Andy’s cap number will be $7 mil for next year, so if the Cavs won’t have enough to offer LeBron AND another player the max, I say screw 2010 and try to make another big deal either now or at the trade deadline.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Not sure why everyone assumes the Cavaliers were ever going to have money to sign 2 Max players in 2010. They aren’t going to be able to sign Bosh anyway, so if they can make a move like this to get Wallace, they should. But I don’t think Charlotte does this deal.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Wally would have to sign a big contract and agree to a buyout so that the other team saves money. No way anyone is going to pay Wally $8 million a season.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I agree with Rock – why would Charlotte, a team who was very close to getting into the playoffs last year, do this type of deal and take such a competitive step backwards?
If they were willing to do it, sign me up. The Cavs aren’t getting Bosh to sign a max deal. If they land Bosh it will be through a sign and trade, and I actually think that applies to any team looking to get Bosh. Why would Bosh (and his agent) leave that extra money on the table that the Raptors can give him b/c of their Bird rights? If Bosh moves it will be via trade.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
this would be a LOL no brainer
4 years with gerald wallace is fantastic. This move would 10000% be the piece we need to win THIS year. Which makes it more likely lebron WOULDNT leave.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
With relatively little trade and free agent talk previous to the “pen on paper” opening date, does all this very recent trade and free agent talk tell us that there is now a Boozer affect (effect?) in place within the Cavs organization? Is there now an unspoken policy of not dealing until deals can be made?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Aren’t the Bobcats losing tons of money?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Since Gerald Wallace is the guy that originally injured Gilbert Arenas’ knee, this trade would add some spice to a weakening Cavs/Wizards Rivalry.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Nicko I think you’re right. I rememeber seeing something like they’ve lost a bunch of money and the owner is trying to sell the team? The Bobcats may be close to at least making the playoffs, but they definately have no shot at anything higher than a 7 or 8 seed with a speedy first round exit. If they’re losing boatloads of cash, I could see them at least considering a trade to try and get out of the red.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Rock, thank you for pointing out what everyone should know right now: with the cap coming down to as low as 50 million possibily, it is impossible for the Cavs, or any team for that matter, to have enough cap space next year to sign 2 max free agents. If this deal is actually legit (questionable), they have to do it. They shouldn’t play Wallace at the 4, he isn’t strong enough for it and that is how he has gotten hurt so much over his career. He usually stays healthy we he gets to play out on the wing. But if this deal is actually legitimate, they should do it right away
July 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
there are 2 reasons the Bobcats would do a move like this
1. They would have to be hemorraging money. And need to save it not only now but in future years as well.
2. They would have to consider themselves in full rebuilding mode and unable to compete for the playoffs this year.
#1 is likely according to reports
#2 sounds like it is not when you consider how close they were last year…but if you look deeper, they are farther from the playoffs now.
Miami, Chicago, and Philly should continue to get better.
Detroit is at least as good as it was last year.
Toronto and Washington should be improved from last year.
heck, if Indiana has more health this year, they could easily jump Charlotte as well.
So, Charlotte is in there with Milwaukee at the bottom of the East. While they should shop around and see if they can find a better deal, it is not as ludicrous as it first appears (even though they would basically be taking a big dump on their fans for this year)
July 9th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
id try him out at starting SG.
Shaq/Z
AV/Frye (hopefully) – or other way around
LBJ/Parker
Wallace/Parker/West
Mo/West
Gibson – 3pt specialist till packaged w Z’s expiring contract and a pick in Feb for another trade
July 9th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Highly, highly unlikely that something like this could happen.
But just to clarify, Wally’Z deal would have to be $5.8M to add with Hickson’s $1.4 to make it happen. Without a buyout, that would save the Bobcats about $2M, with a buyout, it would be more. Throw in $3M of Dan Gilbert’s money, and I guess there’s a chance Charlotte wouldn’t slam down the phone, but I’m not sure.
Maybe Hickson, Gibson, Wally at $2M, $3M cash and a first rounder?
But I think Charlotte could get more than $5M in cash and J.J. Hickson for Gerald Wallace.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
like if this magically becomes true (some random newspaper in ohio, so i doubt it?) this would be the artest-type deal we were looking for. we’d seriously be absurdly good.
5% chance it happens.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Also, don’t forget that Charlotte used a lottery pick on Duke’s Henderson – a very similar player to Wallace in terms of his defense and lateral quickness. They’re also rolling with Augustin and Felton in the backcourt, and still have Raja Bell and Diaw from last years trade.
Perhaps they think that they can move Wallace’s contract and still be able to compete?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Please let this be true. Wally and his frickin gel’d up hair need to go.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
@16 – The Morning Journal may be “a random Ohio newspaper”, but the reporter, Bob Finnan, is probably only second to Windhorst in his coverage of the Cavaliers. I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the rumor.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I’d throw in Eyenga too, maybe another prospect would make the deal a little more enticing.
I can’t even tell if I’m being serious or not
July 9th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
That would be amazing.
Let’s not forget that Wallace is one of the better defenders in the league, too. He’d be an amazing fit. Yes, the Cavs starting lineup would be “small”, as he and LeBron would be covering teams’ 3 and 4, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Wallace can rebound and defend.
I just doubt that Charlotte would do this.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
So if Charlotte actually has a legit eason for trading Wallace, why would they settle for just an expiring contract and a 19 year old with an unknown injury? They couldn’t do better elsewhere with someone else willing to take on a good player’s fair contract? How does dumping Wallace for cap space and an if/come make the Hornets more attractive to potential purchaser? I’d think thay would want more young, cheap talent. I’m not getting how this rumor could be true.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
@ 22 – yea…they haven’t been the hornets for a few years now…thats NO now. They are the Bobcats. Although Charlotte was nicknamed “The Hornet’s Nest” by some British general back in the revolutionary war time, so it really shouldn’t be NO’s name…
July 9th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Windy just tweeted there is no truth to this rumor: “No turth to Gerald Wallace rumors. Cavs used part of mid-level for A. Parker. Two years, $6 million.Team has part of MLE, BAE exception left”
As an aside, I love the 2 year deal for Parker. That time and money seems just about perfect.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
from windy:
PDcavsinsider -No turth to Gerald Wallace rumors. Cavs used part of mid-level for A. Parker. Two years, $6 million.Team has part of MLE, BAE exception left
July 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Bring in G-Force!
Living in Charlotte, I watch this guy play all the time and I think he would be a great addition to the Cavs!
Make it happen Ferry!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
[...] use their Bird Rights to re-sign Wally Szczerbiak and then trade him as an expiring contract, as is rumored in the Gerald Wallace scenario (Wally Szczerbiak would have to consent to any trade under this scenario, according to the CBA). [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
#18 – I think Wally’s a Dapper Dan man.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
We should have traded Wally for Gerald Wallace LAST season. In fact, we should have traded Wally last season for about five players instead of inexplicably letting his contract expire.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
So, I know its not true, but man this is something that I have been waiting for since Ferry said we are looking to win this year. LBJ at the 4, Wallace at 3, with Mo and West. That would be a sick team.
Hopefully Ferry can have some steal this year. Pluto is predicting a mystery trade in august… and I love mysteries….
July 9th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
1)The big issue is how much walley wants to get paid out of this deal?
2)What does Bobcats want out of this deal. Cash or DRaft picks?
3)Great pickup but highly doubtful.
4)Put West in the trade package might help
July 12th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I don’t usually comment on blog posts… but this was a good post.. keep up the good work
July 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
[...] Cleveland makes some drastic move in a sign-and-trade for a substantial piece such as Lamar Odom or Gerald Wallace, I don’t think using the rest of our MLE or biannual on a long contract for Barnes or Kleiza [...]