Gibson’s Contract Great For The Cavs
Danny Ferry takes a lot of heat. Much of it is well-deserved, but he deserves a hand for the contract that he and Daniel Gibson signed yesterday. Details have now been released about the deal- $20.8 million over 5 years. That is a very cap-friendly number. It is less than a mid-level exception, and for a longer period than Andy or Sasha got last year. Gibson is 22, and the 5 year deal will cover his prime years in the NBA.
Obviously the Cavs would like nothing better than for Gibson to continue his development, hoping that he will become a starting option, or at least one of the most dangerous 6th men in the game. But they also have the option to include a cap-friendly sharp shooter in any deal that they may be looking at in the future. I know that Gibson has become somewhat of a fan favorite, but if the Cavs find the all-star that they are looking for in a trade, Gibson would be somewhat expendable, and more than likely a cheaper replacement for the other team in that deal.
Gibson and first round pick J.J. Hickson are the only Cavaliers under contract beyond 2010, the season that James can opt out of his deal. Between those two, (both starters by that time hopefully) the Cavs would have less than $6 million committed.
When asked who Ferry considered the ‘core’ group of players he responded-
We have a group of guys in Z and Ben Wallace and Daniel and LeBron … having Daniel with LeBron, it’s two young guys. Daniel, for example, having long-term security and a guy we think really fits us in so many different ways is definitely someone we look at as an important part of our organization.
Mary Schmitt Boyer was the one conducting that interview. It was a phone interview, and you don’t want to read a lot into it, but interesting choices to me. I suppose you are paying Wallace so much that you have to include him in your ‘core group’ discussion, but I certainly don’t see the Cavs having any desire to keep Ben around for the long haul. Wouldn’t surprise me if they attempted to shop his contract during the ‘09-’10 season. I suppose Ferry isn’t thinking much past this season however, because it very well could be his last.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
This deal seems really cheep to me, which is great.
I like to think his contract will allow him to stay in Cleveland and develop into a solid player, not be trade bait.
Here’s hoping he has a breakout season. Both because he deserves it, and because it would make the cavs very dangerous.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
The Cavs and WFNY would like nothing better than Gibson to become a solid #2 option for the Wine and Gold. But say the Bucks were not in contention in late December, would you rather have Gibson for 5 seasons, or Redd for 2? I’d take Redd and my chances at getting a title.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
In that situation, I’d like to have my cake and eat it too, meaning I’ like both of those players haha. It might be possible, depends on the pieces that are being moved.
This deal reminds me of the deal he signed Drew Gooden to a couple of years ago because of how cap friendly it is. This deal is longer, but it is another example of Ferry trying not to overpay for players
July 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
On a happiness scale of 1-10 this is a 6.5. When people talk about Gibson’s positives the most common seem to be 1. he’s a good (spot up) shooter and 2. LeBron likes him. This is a good foundation but what else do you have for me?
Yeah okay, “…he’s still developing/he comes off the bench” but he’s going into his 3rd year with one marketable skill. Imagine if his defender had to respect his ability to get to the rim? Hopefully he follows in LeBron’s footsteps and is busting his hump in the offseason adding pieces to his game.
I’m not saying this is a bad deal and that we should run Boobie out of Cleveland. I’m saying there’s a good possibility Ferry is going to wait until the trade deadline to use the expiring contracts to make a move which means the help LeBron needs will have to be in-house which includes Daniel.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Mike, Boobie is pretty much one dimensional at the moment, and I personally believe he’ll more or less be the same player for the rest of his career. At times, he may drive to the hoop and dish out an assist, but generally speaking, he’s gonna be a spot up shooter.
But that’s all fine, because they didn’t overpay for his services. If they had given him something like 6 million per year, then I’d be concerned. But if he just continues to shoot like he has, he’ll be fine at roughly 4 million per year.
However, I do wonder how his ankle and shoulder will be. Reports say he’s coming along well, but you never really know until the season begins.
At any rate, kudos to Ferry for getting the Cavs a nice deal. And kudos to Gibson for not acting like the dimwits that are AV and Sasha.