Big Z isn't going anywhere - Ilgauskas trade rumors make little sense

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Oct 9, 2009 3:45 PM CDT in Fear The Rumor Mill Comment 11 comments

There's a new rumor flying around the NBA involving the Cavaliers. This one, however, is highly unlikely. It is being reported in various West Coast outlets that the Golden State Warriors have contacted the Cavaliers about a Stephen Jackson-for-Zydrunas Ilgauskas swap.

Of course, our friends at Golden State of Mind would love for this to happen. Jackson is disgruntled and Ilgauskas would give them a low-post scoring threat, as well as some much needed size.

So that begs to question - what motivation would the Cavaliers have to make such a deal? Why sweat the details?

The fact is, the Cavaliers would have no need to make this deal, unless of course, a guy like Stephon Curry was coming back as well - or Montae Ellis. I joke, because neither is likely available.

The name of the game for the Cavaliers this summer was to add size. The lack of a size all over the court came back to bit the Cavaliers during the playoffs and Danny Ferry spent all off-season trying to address it. Gone are Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, in come Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. All added size and length where the Cavaliers needed it most.

So, I ask, why would the Cavaliers trade away the one commodity they have been trying to obtain all summer - size? Oh yea, not to mention Zydrunas Ilgauskas is an All-Time Great Cavaliers, going through the darkest of times with the franchise. As much respect that Danny Ferry has for Z, not to mention their friendship, is there any real benefit, on or off the floor, that the Cavaliers would get from making such a move?

Why listen to me, however, here's what Brian Winhorst had to say via his Twitter(@PDCavsInsider)

Z says he's ignoring Warriors trade rumor. As he should, Cavs won't trade big for small unless for a star. Stephen Jackson doesn't qualify.

When trade rumors come remember Cavs will take on salary but they want bigs back. They added size for LAL, Orl, Bos. Not giving it up now

Exactly.

Is there any argument any of you could give as to why this would be GOOD for the Cavaliers??

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Agreed. I’ll be glad to see my long time favorite Cavalier retire as a Cavalier.

by Simmsinns on Oct 9, 2009 4:41 PM CDT reply actions

This rumor must have been started by Jax

I don’t see how this would benefit the Cavs at all. Even if the Warriors somehow were able to magically give Jax to the Cavs for nothing, I’m still not sure he helps the Cavs. I think he would cause too many chemistry issues, on and off the court. He’s just not the type of guy that would fit in Cleveland.

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Oct 9, 2009 5:06 PM CDT reply actions

As a Golden State of Miner

I wouldnt put it past jax, sounds like something he’d do. I can see him and Al now… Walking around telling everyone he is going to the Cavs.

by Mr. Fandanggo on Oct 10, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I have a feeling for this trade to be considered by the Cavs, Z would have to be short more than one limb and in the process become as big a malcontent as Jackson is.

by Chief WaDrew on Oct 10, 2009 10:23 AM CDT reply actions

Captain Jack is pretty good

I feel what you’re saying as far as the Cavs are adding size, but Stephen Jackson is a real talent that shouldn’t be ignored. He is a poor man’s Lebron James who can shoot the 3 and run the offense when James is on the bench and Delonte is suspended. Also, like Shaq, Captain Jack wants a ring more than anything and I really believe after watching him fill a leadership role in GS that he could be the supporting player we need here.

I love Z and I would hate for him to not finish his career here. To complement that, having him around to split time with Shaq is very valuable, especially considering both are somewhat succeptible to injury. It also gives Shaq a chance to rest one game of back to backs which is part of why his last year in Phoenix was so successful.

The real key I would say here is that we would lose some depth on the team, but gain a real starter at the 4. Look at this starting lineup: Delonte, Mo, Jackson, King James, Shaq. Wow, right … that’s a championship starting 5 right there, and it would put Andy back on the bench where he belongs. No offense, but he isn’t a good enough scorer to start, and I love the instant energy he brings when he comes in 10 minutes into the game.

Either way I think it will work out for the Cavs, but I think Stephen Jackson would bring alot to the team.

by trackmastermike on Oct 10, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

Z Trade

I like the idea of Jackson joining the Cavs. The reason for making the Big Z for Captain Jack trade is pretty clear … the Cavs have no real top-line shooting guard. It’s a problem. Delonte is average at best and his mental issues have rendered West as undependable. Boobie isn’t a full-game player. Parker is less athletic version of West.

A starting 5 of Lebron, Andy, Shaq, Mo and Captain Jack would be very formidable on paper. Jackson and Mo would be a nightmare to defend from the arc. The looks for both would be good because of the attention Lebron and Shaq draw. However, the question really is, how would you rest Shaq w/o Big Z? Move Andy to the center and move in Hickson?? That doesn’t exactly get my vote of confidence. Perhaps had management made a decent first round pick this past year they could have had more depth in the low post to allow for such a trade??

Ultimately, the Cavs need a healthy, productive Shaq to win it all. Without Big Z, I just don’t think the Cavs have the low post depth they need to succeed. So while I think Jackson would look great in a Cavs uniform and he certainly would fill a glaring void … management has correctly evaluated that they cannot trade Big Z at this time. Too bad!

by Drewski12 on Oct 10, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

Right on...

Why not add to this? I think Delonte West or Daniel Gibson could be added to this trade. I’m sure Gibson would relish the chance to play more. And we could possibly get a 2nd Round draft choice as compensation for taking on Jackson’s salary. I think it’s around $11.5 million. It’s the same as Z, but Jackson’s contract is locked up for at least three more years. West and Gibson are in the $4 million range. The draft choice is gonna be an early second round pick if we can get it. I think either West or Gibson are worth that much.

Everyone worries about lack of size. It’s not lack of size. It’s lack of physical play from that spot. Anderson is a capable backup center, and I think Darnell Jackson is extremely underrated. The big and gets up and down the floor well. He can also hit a mid-range jumper.

This trade may not go through right now, but we may be hearing about it again in February.

by Tiny iZ Boss on Oct 11, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

...

There is no way that the Warriors would want Gibson, and I doubt they’d look at West either.

They are already stacked when it comes to SG’s in PG bodies (Ellis and Curry)

Stephen Jackson is a thug…I don’t want him on this team. I’d rather keep West, who plays 4inches taller than he is, and the only one outside of Lebron who showed up to the Orlando series.

Hey... Cleveland happens.

by zdub1983 on Oct 12, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

although

The business side says…

get something out of Z while you can.

just not stephen jackson.

Hey... Cleveland happens.

by zdub1983 on Oct 12, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Z-trade

Unless its for a PF, it won’t happen. Where would he even fit? We would need to throw parker in the trade as well, and after all this Browns crap. Problem players not need apply.