http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/106390?eref=sircrc&eref=fromSI

 

Michael Jordan, the ultimate Knick killer, threw a wrinkle in the die-hards' wishful thinking Friday afternoon, essentially saying don't hold your breath - or think LeBron James can make the Knicks instant contenders.

LeBron has one more season before he makes his decision, and I'm sure he'll be holding the hammer over Ferry and the Cavs. This is a key year for the Cavs front office, they were good enough to make the conference finals but in all honesty their lineup is average to below average after LBJ. Tons of money off the books, I know the '10 FA class is loaded, what type of quality talent is in the '09 class?

They might have a good amount of money off the books but they don't have a lot to spend unless you are going to go over the salary cap again next year.... 2010/2011 is a different story.

After looking at the FA list, not much on the market that makes you salivate like the brood in '10. Players like Odom, Boozer, Marion, Gordon are probably the cream of the crop.

I think its possible for the Cavs to get Vince Carter this off-season. May have to free up some cap room or restructure in order to do so, but I think obtaining him would make a huge difference even though he is on his last legs. What the Cavs bitterly need is someone to take the pressure off Lebron, and produce consistent scoring. Vince fits both and is that consistent wing guy, for Mo Williams can be good, sometimes you cannot look for him to be the scorer.

 

Few other things I have heard is a couple possible things involving the Clippers and a couple former Michigan products. Have heard the Cavs are looking hard to get Zach Randolph and possibly Chris Kaman. Not sure if it is a one or the other type deal, or if they want to obtain both, but its clear from a defensive standpoint, Z and Varejo can sometimes be a liability when on the floor together.

 

 

 

 

All I know is I would love for Lebron to get some help while in Cleveland. He does more with less than any other star in the league. The Lakers had a roster much like the Cavs a few years ago and Kobe did not impress nor move them in the playoffs. Lebron on the other hand has taken average teams to the Finals and Conference Finals. You take anyone on the Cavs, put them on a different team, then I would almost guarantee that over a two year span almost all of their averages would be down considerably without playing with Lebron. He makes everyone around him better and understands each person on the teams knack, thus the Cavaliers gel and play as good as they do. To think they have more talent than almost any other team is a laughable statement.

Back to the 2010' discussion. I have heard several reports that say USA teammates Chris Bosh and Dewayne Wade are possibly shopping the idea to play on the same team, or to sign with the same team. Essentially a team with a pretty solid base or the money to spend and be able to make it work, ala the Celtics two off seasons ago. Being it will be the biggest FA off season in some time there will be plenty of teams with the cap room and money to do so.

Cavs have some options for this upcoming offseason.

1. Ben Wallace's contract. Ben has said that he will possibly retire, that makes him a nice trade chip to a team that wants salary relief, like say the Hornets or Clippers. A team can trade away a player that's getting some big money like a Tyson Chandler and get back Ben who they can buy out. Wallace has a 14 million dollar contract for next season so he has the numbers to make any trade possible, if there is a buyer.

2. Anderson Varajao. He will opt out of his contract as he wants more than 6 million dollars. Sign and trade is possible here, to a team like the Bobcats who have inquired about hm for the past two years. Maybe a trade for Raja Bell and another player or two? Not a great trade, but better than just allowing him to go.

3. Pavolic. He has a near 6 million dollar contract but only 1.1 million of that is guaranteed. A team needing salary relief can trade the Cavs for him and do what they need to do.

4. Wally Szerbiak's contract is off the books this offseason. Big Z will not opt out of his contract, but I think he would restructure his deal and take a little less money to have a better team, as he makes 12 million next year.

 

Also do not forget about the Mid-Level Exception which is around 6 million. The Cavs can use that for one player, maybe a Charlie Villanueva or someone of that caliber.

 

They have some options out there. My wish list would be Chandler, Villanueva, and a wing that has some size and can score a little bit. I expect Ferry though to go after either Shaq or Rasheed Wallace, which is not the way to keep LBJ around. I know that Chandler has been hurt, but unless the Raptors are giving up Bosh or the Suns want to give away Amare I think he may be the best available option. Villanueva is the kind of forward who could possibly match up a little better with Rashard Lewis.

 

Boozer could be possible, but there of course were some problems from the end of his first tenure there. Sign and trade is the only way that happens, but the Jazz may do that as they will most likely let some of their free agents go (Boozer, Millsap, Okur, Kirilenko).

 

Just my thoughts on Cleveland front office moves.

Back to the 2010' discussion. I have heard several reports that say USA teammates Chris Bosh and Dewayne Wade are possibly shopping the idea to play on the same team, or to sign with the same team. Essentially a team with a pretty solid base or the money to spend and be able to make it work, ala the Celtics two off seasons ago. Being it will be the biggest FA off season in some time there will be plenty of teams with the cap room and money to do so.

 

Bosh and Wade could pair up in 2010, but Bosh has made it clear recently that the most important thing to him in '10 is to be paid. He wants a max contract, so a team is gonna need some cap space. I dont' know what the Heat will have, but they could offer him a max deal and then resign Wade to a max deal as well. I'm betting on NY for Bosh though.

I don't think Krusty the Clown will opt out, he won't get more than 7 Mil next year from anyone if they are smart.

I don't think Krusty the Clown will opt out, he won't get more than 7 Mil next year from anyone if they are smart.

 

He's already said he would. I hope he does. I'd like a sign and trade. I like him because he plays hard, but any scrub off the street can hustle. Cavs need a scorer in the paint.

After looking at the FA list, not much on the market that makes you salivate like the brood in '10. Players like Odom, Boozer, Marion, Gordon are probably the cream of the crop.

 

If healthy Odom could really help out in Clevland, but that's a bit of a gamble.

^ It will be interesting to see if the Lakers go after Ariza or Odom, my money is Ariza. I wonder how much money Odom is looking for, I would imagine he would take a discounted rate to stay in LA. He owns a business there and lives there.

^ It will be interesting to see if the Lakers go after Ariza or Odom, my money is Ariza. I wonder how much money Odom is looking for, I would imagine he would take a discounted rate to stay in LA. He owns a business there and lives there.

 

I think they will keep both of them. Ariza will not leave, unless someone throws a crazy amount of money for him. Odom has said he would take less money to stay in LA, the only other place I could see him going is Cleveland. They are the best team that would have a spot for him.

Yea I hope Odom is able to stay in LA. He seems like a great guy who's endured alot over the years.

A lot of people give Odom crap for how he acts about fouls on the court but you could not find a better person to look up to off the court. He is truly a class act and does things the right way.