OK the next big date on the Cavaliers calender is when the front office deliver a list of eight players ineligable for the expansion draft. Charlotte are back and we hope they can take some of these dead contracts lingering over Paxson's head. Who do we protect? What is the rule with protecting free agents? I believe you can protect them from the draft, but after that become free game to the entire league. 1. LeBron James : obvious 2. Zydrunas Ilgauskas : he is not a carrot to dangle 3. Carlos Boozer : obvious 4. Jeff McInnis : obvious 5. Dajuan Wagner : tradable commodity you dont want to lose in the draft. 6. Tony Battie : always protect your bigs with reasonable contracts 7. Desagana Diop : see Battie 8. Kedrick Brown : protect the potential The unsafe group 1. Eric Williams : free agent who we are letting walk, unless he plays for peanuts. 2. Ira Newble : has a bad length contract 3. Kevin Ollie : see Newble 4. Jason Kapono : would like to protect, but not at the expense of the above. 5. Lee Nailon : if he goes *shrugs shoulders* 6. Ruben Boumtje Boumtje : do the Bobcats know Silas's pet project. Your thoughts......
that list matches mine exactly karma. if they dont protect z i will spit nails. at the very least, we are the team that needs to be trading him, not charlotte.
Thats right polar. There are some uneducated ones who think just getting rid of Z's contract will solve all our problems. It will just open up more. No post scoring and shot blocker to go with our lack of offensive game on the perimeter. LeBron would need to score 40ppg as he would have a severe lack of help. Its a pretty simple selection of 8. No real headaches leaving those unprotected.
I totally agree with the above listed. But it would be a shame to see Kapono get picked and then shine on another team as a Wally Z type of player.
The only thing about losing Battie, is that we lose a big, with very little bigs in supply. If we could involve Battie in a trade with Wags for example, we may get a talented athlete in the frontcourt. I dont want to lose Kapono, but thems the breaks.
I disagree with leaving Kapono out there. Kapono fulfills one concept that is a rare commodity on our team: consistent outside shooting. He may be slow of foot but LeBron, Boozer, McInnis make up for that out there and can get him the ball. I want to see Kapono out there in wine and gold next season. Don't lose Battie. I would be more willing to leave Ked out there because he is inconsistent. I have the feeling he might not ever get it.
What's the story with Boumtje- Boumtje? Is he another Sundov, or is this guy going to be a backup center in the next year or two for us?
It is interesting, because I believe both Kedrick and Kapono (cant be both) would be snapped up if left open. Kedrick has some ability and a small contract for 1 more year when he becomes an RFA. Kapono comes even cheaper for one season, and has a dead eye shot tough to find in an expansion draft. Hard to choose between them, but I still lean towards protecting Kedrick. As for Ruben Boom Boom. Who knows what he can do! Dont think its much though.
That would be my list too Karma. I'd protect Brown over Kapono. Kedrick is the better all around player and has a bigger upside. Kapono is more 1 dimensional. I really don't think it would be a huge loss if the Cavs did lose Kapono. When this topic was discussed on another board, a lot of people thought the Cavs would leave Battie unprotected and protect Kapono instead. The reasoning being Charlotte will only draft cheaper younger players and wouldn't take on Battie's contract. Also his bad knees are a factor. I can see that reasoning. Not sure if I'd risk it though.
That list about covers it. Kapono is a shorter Danny Ferry or taller Trajan Langdon. I doubt he will be taken anyways.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jigo_oi:</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree with leaving Kapono out there. Kapono fulfills one concept that is a rare commodity on our team: consistent outside shooting. He may be slow of foot but LeBron, Boozer, McInnis make up for that out there and can get him the ball. I want to see Kapono out there in wine and gold next season. Don't lose Battie. I would be more willing to leave Ked out there because he is inconsistent. I have the feeling he might not ever get it.</div> I'm glad someone like Battie is considered to be kept. He's like Battier but not for the Grizzlies but for the Cavaliers instead. A guy with so much effort, that he can actually get it down and pull it off regardless of being an average player. I don't know why you want to keep Kedrick Brown though, sure he has potential but it looks like it might take a lot of help and time, sort of like another Brown if you catch my drift. Kwame.
To be perfectly frank, I really can't see us leaving anybody unprotected, that Charlotte is going to be interested in at all..........Unless of course it's a prearranged deal in a trade with another organization, for a player we want in return...........which of course will net them cash or future draft picks! Just the way I see it..................Tank
As far as reality... I have the feeling Paxson will keep Kapono, especally if it comes down to choosing between him and Ked. Why? How many GM's are there whose egos are low enough to give up on a guy who: A. did what he was expected to do and did it well B. the GM drafted as a rookie and is only in his 2nd year Kapono might have some loyalty to this kid. I would be very surprised to see Kapono left out there. I wqant to keep Ked too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jigo_oi:</div><div class="quote_post"> I wqant to keep Ked too.</div> In case you guys were wondering "wqant" is the new want. (but slightly more intense. Tell your friends.)
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kapono might have some loyalty to this kid.</div> i assume you meant paxson =]
