May 24, 2013

2013 NBA Draft Lottery – Cavs win! Nerlens Noel, Kevin Love, Chris Bosh? – WFNY Podcast – 2013-05-22

WFNY Podcast LogoScott joined me for about 20 minutes to discuss the Cavaliers goings on since winning the NBA draft lottery last night. Here’s what we talked about more specifically.

  • The turmoil of having the first overall pick in the draft

  • What do you think about the trade down cuteness?

  • Due diligence and just how little fans and media can do

  • Nerlens Noel and how good he needs to be in order for Grant to justify taking him

  • Do you trust Chris Grant to avoid the tendency to chase height and need?

  • Kevin Love and how unavailable he really is

  • James Harden wasn’t available until he was either

  • Lamarcus Aldridge and his availability

  • Marc Gasol and his ability to be moved

  • Chris Bosh’s name and how nobody has talked about it yet

  • Free agency pool and who you would look at in free agency

  • Zach Lowe’s critique of the NBA lottery event and the Cavs

  • Players and how goofy they look on the dais [Read more...]

NBA Rumors: Cavaliers could deal first-overall pick

Just hours after winning the first-overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, rumors are circulating that have the Cleveland Cavaliers considering trade options which would include their lottery prize.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst points out that, while a top pick has not been dealt in 20 years, the stars are aligned for the Wine and Gold to pull the trigger in the event an offer presents itself.

“The Cavs are in a favorable position to make a deal,” writes Windhorst. ”The team has more than $20 million in salary cap space, the No. 1 pick plus the No. 19, No. 31 and No. 33 picks, and a roster with young prospects that could be used in a deal.”

The 2013 NBA Draft, like several that came before it, is widely considered to be a weak draft in terms of star potential. Kentucky center Nerlens Noel (who is presently pegged to go to the Cavaliers in the event the team keeps the selection) is coming off of ACL surgery and is very raw offensively. There are several wing players who could go within the top five, and two of the better frontcourt players not named Noel—UNLV’s Anthony Bennett and Maryland’s Alex Len—are presently nursing injuries of their own.

Rumors have circulated that link the Cavaliers to deals with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trailblazers. Nothing concrete has been reported, however, outside of a report that the Blazers and Cavaliers had been discussing a trade that would send forward LaMarcus Aldridge to Cleveland.

“You want to look at all your options and make the best decision for your team,” Cavs general manager Chris Grant said following the lottery. “This is a valuable asset that we can add to the group, whether it’s in trade or keep it and add a player.”

[Related: Dear NBA Lottery, I think we should see other people]

NBA Rumors: Cavs want to re-sign Ellington, may decline Miles and Speights

With Mike Brown looking to take hold of the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into 2013-14, it appears that Wayne Ellington appears to be one of the only reserves in the plans going forward.

In a recent report from Bob Finnan of The News-Herald, the Cavaliers appear geared to present Ellington with a qualifying offer that will allow the team to match any offers he gets in the restricted market. Finnan added that the team is not 100 percent certain on bringing back veteran swingman CJ Miles ,and is set to part ways with forward/center Marreese Speights.

“The Cavs would like to sign Ellington,” writes Finnain. ”That means presenting him a qualifying offer of $3 million. It’s not as easy with Speights. It appears as if they hope he opts out of his deal. He might not fit their culture… The Cavs [also] own a team option on swingman C.J. Miles’ $2 million contract for next season. It’s not cut-and-dry that they pick it up, like once thought.”

Miles is under contract for an affordable $2 million in 2013-14, and provided quality depth off of the bench last season, averaging 11.2 points per game. The 25-year-old Speights is a bit of a different story as he will likely decline his player option and test the open market where he will garner more money that the team is willing to spend at this stage of their rebuilding process. Following the trade to Cleveland, Speights averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, largely as a reserve.

If the Cavaliers do decline Miles’ option, and Speights opts out of his, the team will have less than $26 million in committed salaries heading into the draft.

[Related: The Diff: Regression to the mean and the Cavaliers]

NBA Rumor: Cavaliers discussed trade with Portland for LaMarcus Aldridge

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently entertained trade discussions with the Portaland Trailblazers that would net the wine and gold All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

In a column aimed to chastise Cleveland for something being perpetuated by the media, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowksi reports that the Cavs and Blazers discussed swapping quality for youth and upside.

“Privately, the Cleveland front office has pitched a fantasy of trading young players and picks to Portland for All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge,” writes Wojnarowski. “Only, that’s never going to happen. Cleveland is far higher on its two top-five picks, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters, than the rest of the NBA.”

Aldridge, 27, is coming off of his third-consecutive season of at least 21 points and eight rebounds per game and possesses a very efficient game. He is due to make over $30 million over the next two seasons, a contract that would tie up some of the team’s salary cap space into the 2015-16 season.

Thompson, garnering votes for NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2012-13, averaging 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In his rookie season, Waiters averaged 14.7 points on 41.2 percent shooting. He was second on the team in per-game scoring.

[Related: Mike Brown Take Two? In The Right Situation, Yes]

NBA Rumor: Stan Van Gundy not interested in current options

Buried in an Orlando Magic notebook article from The Orlando Sentinel’s Brian Schmitz, there was a little nugget of information that appears to be news with one hot name around the Cavs coaching rumors.

Per Schmitz: “The Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavs and Philadelphia 76ers are looking for coaches — three more possibilities for former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. I’m told that Van Gundy has no interest in those openings at this time. More jobs could open after the playoffs end, however.”

Van Gundy, 53, had a 259-135 (.657) record in his five seasons with the Orlando Magic that ended last summer, which also followed 2.5 relatively productive years with the Miami Heat. A noted grinder — hence maybe fitting with one of Chris Grant’s preferred qualifications — he also gained a solid statistical reputation for his showmanship at this year’s Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at MIT.

Among possible veteran head coaches, his name appeared to be the most frequently listed for Cavs fans in this process. He was one of several veteran head coaches — including former Cleveland coach Mike Brown — on the long lists of possible candidates. For now, it appears that folks can remove this pipe-dream.

Overall though, this shouldn’t be too disconcerting to Cavalier fans. Van Gundy was a long-shot from the get-go. Now, it’s likely just a matter of the Cavs continuing to secure some interviews, which could be prolonged if intriguing candidates are currently on the staffs of playoff teams.

[Related: Fair or not, it was time for the Cavaliers to move on]

NBA News: Byron Scott expected to be fired by Cavs per reports

Multiple sourced reports are circulating on Tuesday which state that the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to part ways with head coach Byron Scott following the conclusion of the 2012-12 NBA season.

Joe Kotoch of Pro Basketball Draft tweeted late Monday that the erosion of the second half of the Cavaliers’ season will lead to the end of Scott’s tenure with the team despite having one more year on his contract.

This is corroborated by a report which was  published later in the evening in by NBA analyst Sam Amico which stated, while the Cavaliers would not comment, Scott is about to be fired.

Scott is en route to his third-consecutive lottery-bound season. While injuries and youth have played a role, the Cavaliers hae seemingly regressed since the month of February when they were .500. Shoddy defense and several losses that included 20–point leads have resulted in heavy scrutiny being placed on the head coach. Following Monday night’s loss to the Miami Heat, Scott said that he is operating under the premise that he will be back for the 2013-14 season.

“I am going to be back to coach them next year,” said Scott. ”I’ve got a year left on my contract, that’s how I figure it, unless I’m told differently. But that’s the way I approach that.”

When asked how he felt, All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving gave Scott his vote.

“Absolutely,” Irving said. “I do want coach Scott back.”

If Scott were to be fired, Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers would have to find a replacement amidst several other vacancies that are expected to be among the coaching ranks in the NBA.

[Related: The Best Laid Plans and Fan Loyalty for the Indians and Cavaliers]

NBA Rumors: Anonymous players voice Byron Scott criticisms

Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com beat writer Jason Lloyd wrote a very interesting piece on some internal criticisms of Cavaliers coach Byron Scott. The anonymous complaints really run the gamut; there’s the “run too hard of a practice session” complaint, the “team hasn’t played defense in three years” complaint, the “please use your time outs” complaints, the “why does Kyrie play only half of the fourth” complaint and finally, the rarely seen “give Tristan Thompson more push-shot opportunities” complaint.

The piece is all encompassing.

Most, if not all, of these seem pretty minor. I find it hard to believe that the fabled “Camp Scott” is really having an effect on their legs at this point in the season. And it’s telling that the veteran player quoted dismisses the “hard practices” stuff.

While I do feel that players like Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters have made strides under Scott, the concerns raised with regard to playing time and the use of time outs have been troubling. Also, it’s not good that after three seasons, the team still has no defensive identity.

That being said, I do think that Scott deserves a shot to coach a Cavalier team that both their full compliment of players and an organizational backing to make a playoff run. Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao keep getting hurt and his best players off the bench are Luke Walton a guy who was waived by the Wizards. That doesn’t explain some of the in-game decisions, but it sure can help explain the dismal record.

[Related: Another Cavalier blowout brings more 'Fire Byron Scott" murmurs]

NBA Rumors: Cavs and Heat leaders to sign Greg Oden

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat have reportedly emerged as the leaders to land former first-overall pick Greg Oden.

Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports says that the seven-foot product out of Ohio State, who has suffered multiple knee injuries since being drafted in 2007, is leaning toward either playing in Miami for the minimum or in Cleveland where he would be able to net considerably more money. Oden is hoping visit down to Miami to meet with Pat Riley and the Heat in the next week, a source told CBS Sports. He is currently working out in Columbus, Ohio, rehabilitating from his third microfracture knee surgery back in February of 2012.

Oden, 25, has averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 career NBA games.  His signing would undoubtedly be a risk, but one that comes with immense reward if Oden could live up to the potential he had when he was selected before Kevin Durant six seasons ago.

[Related: Does Kyrie Irving have a second act up his sleeve?]

Anderson Varejao hospitalized; out for season

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that C Anderson Varejao was hospitalized for a blood clot that developed after his knee surgery-

“Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao recently developed a blood clot (small right lower lung pulmonary embolism) and was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic last Thursday (January 17th). He is being treated with blood thinners (anticoagulants) and is expected to stay at the Clinic for several days, while undergoing treatment and observation. He will need to remain on blood thinning medication for approximately three months. While Varejao is expected to fully recover, he will miss the remainder of the current Cavaliers season.

Quote from Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant: “Clearly our players’ health is our top concern and we are disappointed for Anderson, and his family. We know what a competitor he is and how much he wants to be on the court helping his teammates. In the meantime, he has our full support and we look forward to welcoming him back as he recovers.”

Unbelievable. Certainly first and foremost we here at WFNY wish Andy the best as he recovers from this latest set-back.

What an amazing string of unfortunate injuries and bad breaks.

[Related: Halfway home, Cavaliers' stats and trends]

NBA Rumor: Cleveland Cavaliers targeting summer of 2014, LeBron James

The whispers surrounding the worst kept secret amongst NBA circles are growing increasingly louder.

While many fans wonder when the Cleveland Cavaliers will make a move to help win basketball games, it appears that the answer is the summer of 2014 when LeBron James can opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat. In his piece which was filed for the Sunday morning paper, Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes that it is almost consenus feeling that Chris Grant and the Cavaliers are looking to bring James back to the Wine and Gold.

“Executives and agents around the league are convinced the Cavaliers won’t do anything to jeopardize their ability to sign a free agent to a max contract during the summer of 2014, when LeBron James can again become a free agent,” writes Lloyd. ”As fans in Northeast Ohio continue to howl and remain divided about the possibility of his return, more and more people around the league believe there is a strong possibility James will indeed return to Cleveland after next season.”

It was James who famously left Cleveland after a free agency circus that led to The Decision and the then two-time MVP “taking his talents” to Miami to play for the Heat. He would win a NBA Championship one season later.

Alas, while the Cavaliers continue to have one of the most favorable cap situations in the league, they will not be taking on a bad contract — or one that carries beyond next season — for the sake of adding a four-to-five win player (a la Rudy Gay) this year. With Anderson Varejao injured, this all equates to a quiet trade deadline and a plan that could either blow up in their face similar to the New York Knicks, or allow them to strike gold — like the Heat — in pairing James with one of the best young talents in the game in Kyrie Irving.

James recently switched his representation to Rich Paul, a native Clevelander (and friend) who also represents Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson.

[Related: Cavaliers Film Room: The Recipe For Success]

Report: Cavs Have Placed Bid for Luis Scola

According to Fox 8′s John Telich, the Cleveland Cavaliers have submitted a bid on the waiver wires for recently amnesty-waived Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that the Cavs and Dallas Mavericks would be the two leading contenders for Scola’s services. The 32-year-old forward has averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds during his five-year NBA career, entirely with Houston.

On Saturday, Fox Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico tweeted that a move likely will not be made officially until Monday, when it will be 48 hours since Scola was waived.

He’s set to make slightly over $30 million over the next three seasons. The team that places the highest sealed-envelope bid will win the claim for Scola and pay that portion of his salary for the 2012-13 schedule.

[Related: Cleveland Cavs Notes: Kyrie Irving’s Injury, Luis Scola, Andrew Bynum, Start of Summer League]

Cleveland Cavs Notes: Kyrie Irving’s Injury, Luis Scola, Andrew Bynum, Start of Summer League

What a hectic week to be a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It seems that almost every single day brings along a new news cycle, and this week has brought along its fair share of hectic news.

From the Kris Humphries-Brooklyn Nets rumors to the possible Luis Scola waiver claim, to the more recent Andrew Bynum murmurs and recent Kyrie Irving injury, there’s been plenty to talk about in Cavs town lately.

Tonight, the Cavaliers begin summer league play in Las Vegas at 8:30 p.m. against the Charlotte Bobcats. With this in mind, I thought this would be a great time to round up some of the recent rumors and my thoughts on the team for this Sunday afternoon. [Read more...]

NBA Rumor: Cavs Among Teams That Have Interviewed Bill Walker

Forward Bill Walker is the latest correspondent for HoopsHype, and he shares his experience in the first of his free agent blog posts:

This is Bill Walker, formerly of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. I’m a free agent now and will blog about my experiences this summer here at HoopsHype. Hope you find it interesting.

Recently I met with people from the Memphis Grizzlies in Las Vegas and previously with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. It was not a personal type of interview, just business. They want to know how you are going react to certain things and see what your responses are. I think if you go in there with that type of attitude, willing to accept criticism, you’ll be fine.

Walker has averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game over his 157-game NBA career during the past four seasons. The 24-year-old Kansas State product is a solid scorer off the bunch who isn’t afraid to put up a lot of shots. Given the right environment, he could blossom as a premier bench scorer for a potential playoff team, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Heck, I know I’d have a lot of fun seeing him as a scoring option in his precious few moments alongside Kyrie Irving on the court. That’d be plenty of fun. But given his current suitors, I don’t currently think he’ll sign with the Cavs. It seems he’s interested in returning to the New York Knicks, and that’s where I think he’ll land up eventually.

[Related: NBA Trade Rumor: Cavs Discussing Trade to Land Andrew Bynum in Magic-Lakers Deal]

NBA Trade Rumor: Cavs Discussing Trade to Land Andrew Bynum in Magic-Lakers Deal

HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy dropped a bombshell on Twitter about an hour ago with this nugget of information:

Kennedy later expanded on that initial tease, posting an article with more details. In a possible trade that would send Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers would end up with Andrew Bynum, and the Orlando Magic would receive a number of picks and prospects. There were no further specifics about what the Cavaliers would give up in such a deal.

Kennedy cites sources close to the situation, but also says “while no trade is imminent, the talks are ongoing.” Kennedy is the only individual currently reporting discussions between the three teams.

In other well-circulated Howard-to-LA reports, David Pingalore (a former Cleveland reporter) of WKMG-TV in Orlando also cited sources Friday night that said the All-Star center will likely end up in Los Angeles. Pingalore’s sources appeared to be fairly adamant in saying that just “some crossing of T’s and dotting of I’s is only left” for Howard to land in LA with Kobe Bryant. Pingalore didn’t mention any possible trade partners for the two teams in his article.

7:33 p.m. Updates: Both ProBasketballDraft and Fox Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico have confirmed through sources that trade discussions are taking place between Orlando, Cleveland and the Lakers. Let’s start first with the new information from ProBasketballDraft:

This account also said the Cavs are looking for some type of confirmation that Bynum would extend. It also said that Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson and LA’s Darius Morris would be two key prospects that could go to Orlando.

Later, Amico confirmed through his sources that a deal is being discussed. These sources also reiterated Cleveland’s emphasis to make sure Bynum would extend with the team. One of Amico’s folks also said that “Cavs, as usual, being a big pain” in their trade dealings, as he reported earlier in the week about the possible Brooklyn Nets situation.

[Related: Cavalier Thoughts: Hope And Patience In A Hopeless And Impatient NBA]

NBA Free Agency Rumor: Cavs Reportedly Interested in Luis Scola

No one exactly knows what the Houston Rockets are up to these days with their constant roster moves. Regardless, with today’s news of their upcoming amnesty move on F Luis Scola, the Cleveland Cavaliers are already linked to have some interest.

ProBasketballDraft cited a source on Twitter that both the Cavs and Dallas Mavericks have some early interest in the 32-year-old Argentine forward. Scola was slotted to make $9.4 million this coming season, as a part of the three years and $30.7 million left on his contract.

With the Cavs no longer linked to Kris Humphries in the Dwight Howard mega-trade, this is a connection that definitely makes some sense. Scola has averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in his five-year NBA career, building a reputation as a dependable low-post scoring presence and rebounder. He’s not likely ever going to make an All-Star team, but he’s a solid veteran that could fit in nicely with the Cleveland frontcourt.

Per the amnesty waiver process, teams must may sealed bids to the Rockets for his services. The highest bid will pay that portion of Scola’s salary for this coming season. The official announcement on Scola’s release is expected in the coming days.

[Related: Report: Cavs discussing sign and trade of Antawn Jamison]

NBA News: Cavs’ David Griffin in Running for Clippers GM Gig

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Clippers have been given permission to speak with Cleveland Cavaliers assistant general manager David Griffin as means to fill their presently vacant general manager position.

Griffin joins former Cavs GM Jim Paxson and ex-Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe on the short list of potential hires. Vandeweghe, per the New York Daily News,  is considered the front-runner for the position created when Neil Olshey left to become the general manager of the Portland Trialblazers.

Getting his start with the Phoenix Suns, Griffin, like current Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant, has worked his way up through the league and is presently Grant’s No. 2. Joining the Cavs upon Grant’s promotion to GM, Griffin works closely with Grant on all basketball and managerial matters, helping oversee the team’s scouting and player personnel departments. He has been very instrumental in the rebuilding process since joining the team in 2010.

[Related: Cleveland Cavaliers’ Plans at #4 Need Not Include a Center]

Cavaliers will not be a player in free agency according to Tom Reed

On yesterday’s Bull and Fox show, the Plain Dealer’s Tom Reed said that the Cavaliers will NOT be players in free agency this summer.

“No, not at all. The only types of guys that they will bring in here, is if they feel that their leadership may be lacking, maybe they bring in kind of a smaller name type player. They will not put any significant money into free agency. When they do that it will be more like a final piece… they are not going to overpay anybody.”

The Cavaliers have just under $18 million coming off the books with the expiration of Jamison and Parker’s contracts. They could also save $4.72 million if they choose not to pick up Daniel Gibson’s option. Small forward Alonzo Gee will also be a restricted free agent.

[Related: Antawn's Closing Advance]

NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns Among Teams Interested in Alonzo Gee

Multiple reports have circulated regarding the Phoenix Suns’ desire to acquire the services of Cavaliers free agent small forward Alonzo Gee.

Late last week, Fox 8′s John Telich reported that “at least three teams” were interested in Gee with the Suns being joined by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. Brendan Bowers of Stepien Rules followed this up by reporting that the Suns were in fact in the lead for Gee’s services, set to offer the athletic wing approximately $4 million per year with the length of the deal unknown.

Gee, who saw his game drastically improve between the 2010-11 season and this past year, started in 31 contests and averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. His energyoff of the bench played a large role in the team’s early-season success.

The Suns current general manager is Lance Blanks, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers front office under Danny Ferry. Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant has stated that the team expects to make Gee a part of their future with many in the Cleveland media expecting a multi-year offer with at least a qualifying offer being made. A restricted free agent, the Cavaliers would have the right to match any offer Gee receives in the offseason.

[Related: NBA Lottery Odds Serve As Cruel Reminder of How Unlucky Cavaliers Could End Up]

NBA Draft: NBA GM’s Souring on 2012 Draft Class

The 2011 NBA Draft was supposed to be one of the weakest in recent memory with the subsequent selection session being dubbed one of the most anticipated. With several would-be lottery picks returning to school and the 2011 variety being littered with European players, this coming April was supposed to yield the next wave of professional basketball stardom. Until it wasn’t.

Per ESPN’s Chad Ford, league general managers are anything but impressed with the way the returning players and highly touted freshmen have performed to date.

“Everyone talks about how great this draft is,” one NBA GM told ESPN.com. “On paper in July, it really looked that way. On the ground in February, I’m not that impressed. Anthony Davis is great. But after that, there are a lot of question marks and a surprising lack of depth. I’m not sure that the 2012 draft will be better than the 2011 one.”

Cleveland’s Dan Gilbert and Chris Grant worked a trade that ultimately netted them the league’s top rookie point guard as well as a power forward who is among the best in his class with regard to rebounds and blocked shots per game. The 2012 class was supposed to provide Cleveland with an upgrade at either wing positions with several options likely to be available in the offseason.

The question marks could potentially be where a general manager thrives or folds, separating the talent from the mirage. As Grant stated last season, there are great players in every draft. The secret sauce exists in is finding them.

[Related: WFNY’s 2012 NBA Draft Not-so-Big Board 2.0]

NBA Trade Rumors: Cavs Will Look to Move Sessions, Jamison

With the 2011-12 NBA trade deadline less than one month away, the 11-17 Cavaliers will be in the mix with regard to moving players and acquiring additional assets to aid the rebuilding process. The Plain Dealer’s  Tom Reed feels that two of the most likely steps include trading highly-coveted point guard Ramon Sessions as well as the $15 million expiring contract of veteran power forward Antawn Jamison.

If a trading partner cannot be found for Jamison, the Cavs may cut him free and allow him to compete for a championship once again.

“I believe the Cavaliers will trade Sessions and make an effort to move Jamison by one means or another,” writes Reed. “If they can’t trade him — remember they most likely would have to take salary back — they will buy him out.”

With shooting guards Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson missing considerable time with a variety of injuries, Sessions has provided integral support off of the bench. In 25 minutes per game this season, the slashing guard is averaging 10.4 points and 5.6 assists. Jamison is presently second on the team in scoring, tallying 16.6 points per night.

[Related: NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Interested in Cavs’ Ramon Sessions]