Trade winds swirling, but do Cavs need to make a move?

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 18, 2009 7:45 AM CST in Fear My Opinion Comment 11 comments

The trade rumors are swirling and like every year the Cavaliers seem to be right in the middle of it. Unlike last year at this time, however, that Cavaliers might be in a position to hold fast and avoid upsetting their financial flexibility in the future. On the other hand, the team sits at 40-11, the 3rd best record in the NBA, and look to be a serious contender for a championship. Decisions, decisions.

To be honest, I was of the opinion all along that a move would be a big mistake for the Cavs. I could go into psychological reasons that venture deep into the human spirit, but thankfully for the both of us I need only point to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns were one of the winningest franchises in the NBA the last 5 years before making a move at the deadline last year the substantially changed the makeup of their team. When the Suns acquired Shaq, they were signaling to the rest of the League that they didn;t feel they could win a title while running Mike D'Antoni's "run and run some more" style. Shaq, while still a force, would not be able to run up and down the floor that way. The result has been a complete failure. The team the Cavaliers played last week at the Q was a shell of those Suns teams.

What Phoenix failed to realize was how the impact moving Shawn Marion and changing the style of play would affect the locker room. It nearly destroyed it. Shaq was unhappy, Amare Stoudemire was unhappy, Steve Nash was unhappy and the results showed.

The Suns nearly made the same mistake again, this time with Stoudemire. While something could still possibly happen, it appears the Suns got smart just in time.

I bring this up becuase one of the Cavaliers strengths is thei cohesiveness as a team on and off the court. That intangible cannot be ignored or undervalued. It is actually scary to think what this team could be doing if the injuries hadn't settled in. 40-11, with 2 starters missing double-digit games. More importantly these guys enjoy playing together and have taken a "whatever it takes" approach to playing basketball. Those are the keys to winning in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers are doing the right thing by checking out every possible deal, leaving no stone unturned. In the end, however, the risks, both financial and psycological, to making a move with a team that is so close on and off the courth far out-weigh the rewards.

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psycology is part of it I'm sure

but I would think that the primary motivation for standing pat is the flexibility it allows you

the Cavs have a shot at a title this year – but with LeBron in house, you’ll always have that shot, so the prime directive is to keep him in house

I personally think that having the cap room to make moves in the next couple of years is a better route than making a big splash right now because you can get better players in the offseason

personally, as a Celtics fan, I am kind of hoping that you make a big trade for a big name that ruins your chemistry and destroys your cap flexibility for years – nothing personal against Cavs fans of course, but I don’t want any part of LeBron surrounded by top quality teammates for years to come

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Feb 18, 2009 8:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

i know you’re exaggerating, but there is absolutely 0 chance that danny ferry makes a trade that both ruins our chemistry AND destroys our cap flexibility. in fact, there’s 0 chance that he makes a trade that does even 1 of those things. there’s a very specific plan in place, and it seems to be working.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 18, 2009 7:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Smith was just sent to NO, so I don’t think he’s headed our way again.

by JulioBernazard on Feb 18, 2009 9:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was very disappointed to see that. He’s a guy that I could have seen helping the Cavs without costing too much. He was a good sub last year with the team. Oh, well.

I don’t think the Cavs need to do anything except get healthy to contend for a title.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Feb 18, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that the Cavs’ chemistry is too good to risk with a reckless trade. Antawn Jamison is intriguing though.

by cleveland teamer on Feb 18, 2009 12:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No way will we get ’tawn.

by JulioBernazard on Feb 18, 2009 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

brad miller to the bulls…so he’s off the table for the cavs. i think that’s a good thing, though. no interest in him. here’s hoping for camby.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 18, 2009 7:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Me, too, but the price tag is a little hefty.

by JulioBernazard on Feb 18, 2009 8:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

what makes you say camby is expensive? trading wally is no great loss, if you ask me; as far as salary, camby makes $8mm this year and is only on the books for $7.65mm next. then he’s gone. seems like a highly manageable price, to me, and is strategically perfect for a run at a title in the next two years AND making a run at a big name sidekick for LBJ in summer of ’10.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 18, 2009 9:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

trading wally is no great loss

With Sasha and Delonte hurt, who do you start (or even play) at the 2 spot?

by JulioBernazard on Feb 19, 2009 7:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

boobie can play 2, tarence kinsey can play 2 (as a stop gap), and delonte is apparently ready for action. as well, sasha will be back, he’s not out for the year. shoot, lebron can play 2…or lebron can play 1 and move mo over to 2. depth is not our problem. i love wally, but he’s really no major loss.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 19, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs