Cavs anything but desperate (Fish on the block?)

Cavaliers notebook




Cavs anything but desperate

Ferry not inclined to trade for long-term deal to get quick fix


<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Two league executives said the Cavs have had discussions about trading Gooden for Denver Nuggets point guard Earl Watson and Golden State Warriors point guard Derek Fisher, among others.
Both of those players have four years and around $25 million left on their contracts after this season, making them somewhat undesirable considering both Eric Snow and Damon Jones also have three years left on their contracts. Not to mention that, in general, trading quality big men for guards is a long-standing basketball no-no.
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http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/13881638.htm

 

I wonder if they'd do Drew Gooden/Luke Jackson for Fisher? Cavs might not like that one.

 

I wouldn't take Gooden. We trade our main back up PG for a PF to play with Murphy and Diogu? I don't think so.

 

Yeah, the only reason why it's attractive to me is that it's a trade.

And I want a trade.

But not this one.

I guess it's also attractive because it'll shed the D-Fish contract, but honestly his value is pretty high right now. Sure we'd like to shed the contract (to make room for signing Pietrus, Biedrins, and eventually the rookies) -- heck I'd give anything to shed Foyle's bloated contract -- but right now, I mean as of the last few weeks, Fish's value has really increased. He's played crunch time minutes, put up hefty stats, and carried the team. I know a few playoff-potential teams would really consider taking a look at the veteran, ring-wearing "Mr. 0.4"

So, when we fool someone into taking Fisher's 20-year contract, we should get back something of good value for it. Not Gooden.

I don't like Gooden.

<u>Why? </u>

1.) He's not a center (and I want a center)
2.)He looks like he's always stoned
3.)He plays like he's always stoned
4.)During warm-ups in Oakland, I watched him brick wrong-handed lay-ups, shoot lazy, out-of-his-range jumpers, and try to put juke moves on the ball boy.
5.)We already have enough power forwards. Right now I'd take Zarko over Gooden.
6.)He's played for 3 teams in the last 4 years. That doesn't sit well with me.


Ask yourself this: "Will Gooden get the Warriors to the playoffs?"

Answer your own question with: "No."

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AnimeFANatic:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't take Gooden. We trade our main back up PG for a PF to play with Murphy and Diogu? I don't think so.</div>

Gooden would primarily be for salary dump to avoid Fish's long term deal. I doubt they give up Jackson, but he would be a possible shooting guard fill-in

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Gooden would primarily be for salary dump to avoid Fish's long term deal. </div>

Ah, yes, good point.

I guess I'm just thinking about getting a player that could actually help us get to the playoffs.

But yes, in this case, it would be a good deal to just let Gooden go next year. Course, we'd have to watch him for 30 or so games, but still...

Hoopshype says he has a qualifying offer of 5+ mil. next year -- does that mean GS has to at least offer him that much if they want to resign him? And more importantly does it mean GS could simply let him walk (or sign-and-trade him?).

Still, I'm not altogether interested. I think if the Warriors can land a good center, they'll have a shot at squeezing into the 8th seed, and frankly that is more exciting to me than our prospects for next year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post">Ah, yes, good point.

I guess I'm just thinking about getting a player that could actually help us get to the playoffs.

But yes, in this case, it would be a good deal to just let Gooden go next year. Course, we'd have to watch him for 30 or so games, but still...

Hoopshype says he has a qualifying offer of 5+ mil. next year -- does that mean GS has to at least offer him that much if they want to resign him? And more importantly does it mean GS could simply let him walk (or sign-and-trade him?).

Still, I'm not altogether interested. I think if the Warriors can land a good center, they'll have a shot at squeezing into the 8th seed, and frankly that is more exciting to me than our prospects for next year.</div>

Yeah, I understand the concerns, oop, but I've never heard many trades where we got a center or big man help for a vet backup point guard. Is our draft picks enough to get such a player to get us to the playoffs?

 

I don't know.

I could see dealing any package of Fisher, Cheaney (xp. contract), Zarko, Pietrus, Foyle, plus picks, to get something done.

I think any of these centers might help this team get to the playoffs (not on their own but because they'll bring the missing ingredient). Can we get one?

Marcus Camby
Eddy Curry
Theo Ratliff
Nenad Kristic
PJ Brown
Primoz Brezec
Chris Mihm
Chris Kaman
Robert Swift
Zaza Pachulia

there are others. But these guys could all start at the 5 for us, with Biedrins backing up. I'm not saying they're all-stars, but any of them would give us a much-needed boost in the paint.

 

Course, then what the hell do we do with Foyle?

Injured Reserve for the next 6 years.

 

Yeah, I guess Biedrins could become that player that I want now, but it'll take a year or two, and a ton of weightlifting. I think he will do it, and I think he will be terrific, but as far as our playoff aspirations go, we're going to need more size.

Hey, Pietrus is an attractive player. Wouldn't a package of Pietrus and Fisher, along with pick or two, get somebody like Camby?

Also, what about Nene? Is he done for the season?

Also, what's the word on Pavel?

 

Hmmm... It's hard to figure out what is realistic and what other GMs might do with the all important big man. I think with Cavs GM Danny Ferry being a former San Antonio Spurs guy, he'll probably know better to manage his salary structure a lot more wisely than Mullin has. So that means no Derek Fisher unless he feels that Damon Jones is that bad.

As for centers, Ratliff might be an option if they feel Ha Seung Jin and Joel Pryzbilla are enough. The problem with Theo Ratliff is he healthy enough and do we have to settle for his 20 foot jump shots? Anything else I like his offensive rebounds, putbacks, and weakside shotblocking. He won't post up like real centers do but he's at least a somewhat productive, one-time all-star talent if given minutes.

 

What about PJ Brown? Or Jaamal Magloire? I'd be happy with either of those guys.

Maybe there's a blockbuster deal waiting to happen?

I'd trade anybody on this team except Monta Ellis, Ike Diogu, or Andris Biedrins.

How about Murphy+JRich+whatever for Garnett?

I know, I'm dreaming.

 

Yeah, but New Orleans and Milwaukee are playoff bound. What could we offer that we don't mind giving up besides draft picks?

Only reason we got Baron was because New Orleans was heading toward the sewer and they wanted to dump him. The rest of the teams want either young talent or expiring contracts. We just have young talent.

 

Hey now -- Cheaney is a whopping 1.7 mils coming off the books next year. That's got to be worth at least a Dean Garrett or Bill Curley.

Dude -- For this and next year, Foyle and Murphy make almost exactly the same $.

WTF

http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/golden_state.htm

 

Ah yes. Foyle does make measy 8.5 mils per year for next 4 years, while Murphy makes 10 mils per year for next 6 years. I know centers in the league are rare, but 8.5 mils for Foyle... Man, I fear what Biedrins' agent will demand. "If you can sign Foyle for 8.5 mils, my client should get 85 mils per year!"

It's just extremely hard to improve center position. No team will give up their available center for cheap, and even those remotably available centers will cost a fortune to bring in here, which we can't afford. I mean, even Ratliff will cost 35 mils for next 3 years, and he is as durable as Camby. Unless we hit a jackpot on draft day or Biedrins becomes a solid starting center, I don't expect us to correct center position anytime soon. And, that's why I would like to keep Dampier, but that's another story...

 

The problem is that, even if Biedrins pans out and becomes starter worthy, we'll have about $16 mil tied up in Fish/Foyle through 2009... Is anyone tired of hearing me whine about this? Because I am - g'nite.

 

I think you guys are just preaching to the choir. Something needs to be done, but hopefully something that doesn't jack up our short term, either. Sometimes, I wonder if Mullin knows anything about business, team budgets, and what not. Otherwise why give his first signing that much money. I doubt teams would match that offer.

 

What about Francisco Elson, he plays for a minimum contract in Denver i think. But he becomes a free agent and i guess his stock is rising, since he started over the injured Camby.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1.) He's not a center (and I want a center)
2.)He looks like he's always stoned
3.)He plays like he's always stoned
4.)During warm-ups in Oakland, I watched him brick wrong-handed lay-ups, shoot lazy, out-of-his-range jumpers, and try to put juke moves on the ball boy.
5.)We already have enough power forwards. Right now I'd take Zarko over Gooden.
6.)He's played for 3 teams in the last 4 years. That doesn't sit well with me.


Ask yourself this: "Will Gooden get the Warriors to the playoffs?"

Answer your own question with: "No."</div>

I thought Gooden could play center, so that kills my idea. He would be a guy we get primarily to dump Fish's salary and Gooden can be packaged later in a sign and trade deal. Funny thing is he ALWAYS plays well against the Warriors.

I'm not sure who on the Cavs Gooden fires it up with. Maybe that Varejo guy? On the Warriors, maybe it would be Foyle. And Baron likes Foyle.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What about Francisco Elson, he plays for a minimum contract in Denver i think. But he becomes a free agent and i guess his stock is rising, since he started over the injured Camby.</div>

Francisco Elson looked pretty good when I saw him when the Nugz were in town. But the Nugz didn't want to trade him. Maybe they'll go for MP if they don't get Stevie Franchise.