<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Keep an eye on Cleveland in the next couple of weeks. If general manager Danny Ferry can figure out a way to acquire point guard Mike Bibby from the Sacramento Kings before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, the Eastern Conference becomes a legitimate three-horse race (Boston, Detroit and Cleveland). Bibby, who is about a week away from returning after thumb surgery, is exactly what the Cavaliers lack -- a battle-tested floor leader who can create his own shot, find easy shots for others, and take a huge load off LeBron James. The Kings are in a rebuilding phase and they are trying to lighten their payroll to make a run at the free-agent class of 2009. Bibby has been unhappy since the Kings started breaking up their core three years ago. The Kings, under president Geoff Petrie, typically move at a glacial pace when it comes to making deals. That's why Bibby has essentially been on the market for two years. But perhaps with the emergence of Benu Udrih as a dependable point guard, the path has been paved for Petrie to finally pull the trigger. The question is, can the Cavaliers put together an attractive enough package to lure Bibby, who will make $13.5 million this year and $14.5 million next year? As was pointed out by the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavaliers have a roster full of players whose contracts expire in 2009, which is what Petrie wants. The Cavaliers would most assuredly want Drew Gooden and perhaps a young prospect like Daniel Gibson or Shannon Brown, just to get the conversation started. The Cavaliers may also have to take back some of the dead weight on the Kings' roster, like unused Kenny Thomas. Bottom line, though: Ferry should and probably will do whatever it takes to make a deal happen. Again, as was reported by the Beacon Journal, Ferry and Bibby are both represented by agent David Falk. Cavs coach Mike Brown has friends who are close to the Bibby family. There are plenty of lines of communication and by all accounts, they have been open and buzzing for a couple of years. It would be a coup for Ferry if he can pull off the deal.</div> Source: Detroit News
I've read on other Cavs forums that a possibility would be Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown, Damon Jones and Eric Snow for Bibby and Thomas. The only reason Sacramento would take Snow would be to have the salary space in 2009, which appears to be their goal. Personally I like Drew, so I'm 50/50 about whether I want this trade to go through.
Big mistake IMO. The Cavs have a great front court and Bibby is about to hit the twilight of his career.
Gooden's size, rebounding, and post scoring are too valuable for the Cavs to lose. Mike Bibby is a decent point guard who is actually more of a shoot first guy. I think the cavs would be better fit to go after someone like Heinrich or Andre Miller.
Mike Bibby should be the perfect PG to play with LeBron, but this ties up a lot of money in Cleveland's backcourt with Bibby and Hughes combining for over $25Million in cap space. I think the Cavs can survive without Gooden, but I don't think this trade is enough to put the Cavs ahead of Boston, Detroit, or Orlando. If the Cavs could find a way to acquire both Bibby and Artest then they would have something to challenge those three teams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3 @ Jan 7 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Big mistake IMO. The Cavs have a great front court and Bibby is about to hit the twilight of his career.</div> Really? LOL
This would be a mistake if they give up both Boobie and Gooden. Or rather, it will be a mistake if the give up Boobie, in particular. In my mind, a major reason for bringing in a seasoned PG is so that they can help Boobie's development, hopefully into a better rounded Point Guard. Giving hm up would simply be insane.
