Summer '09 Unrestricted FAs

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 5, 2009 2:50 PM CDT

so, i took a look at the unrestricted free agents for the upcoming offseason, in hopes that i might find the miracle salve to treat the wounds of the still fresh loss to the magic. to me, the only thing that the magic series showed (aside from a lack of creativity from mike brown and the rest of the suits on the bench) is that we need help in the front court. no real mystery there. more importantly, though, we need defensive help in the front court. unfortunately, the list of FA big men is less inspiring than a physics lecture.

what you'll find after the jump is the FA list (there are a few players in here w/ early termination rights, so they might stay w/ their current teams, but i didn't have time to parse through that). there are two categories: players that we care about and i tracked down 2008-09 numbers for, and players that we (at least i) don't care about. feel free to disagree. i'd be interested to hear people's thoughts.

i looked at several different numbers, but in the interest of space here i chose to show: position, age, 2008-09 PER, 2008-09 Win Shares (WS), 2008-09 Defensive Win Shares (DWS), and then the ratio of DWS:WS. in keeping w/ my theory that we need defensive help up front more than offensive, i thought DWS/WS was worth looking at. i'm not saying we don't need offensive help in the front line, just that defense is more important. each position is ranked by PER. remember, a PER of 15 is league average.

			2008-2009
	Pos	Age	PER	WS	DWS	DWS/WS
Mehmet Okur	C	29	17.5	7.5	3	40%
Jermaine O'Neal	C	30	15.4	2.5	2.3	92%
Eddy Curry*	C	26	15	1.7	0.4	24%
Rasheed Wallace	C	34	14.9	4.8	3.2	67%
Zaza Pachulia	C	24	14.1	3.8	1.8	47%
Jamaal Magloire	C	30	10.6	1.3	0.9	69%
Mikki Moore	C	33	8.9	2.1	0.9	43%
Steven Hunter*	C	27	8.6	0.1	0.1	100%

Birdman	PF	30	18.1	5.5	2.9	53%
Carlos Boozer	PF	27	17.2	2.7	1.8	67%
Antonio McDyess	PF	34	16.6	5.3	2.7	51%
Brandon Bass	PF	23	16.4	4.1	1.6	39%
Drew Gooden	PF	27	16.3	2.7	1.6	59%
Shawn Marion	PF	30	16	5.1	3.1	61%
Al Harrington	PF	28	15.9	4.1	2.1	51%
Chris Wilcox	PF	26	13.2	1.1	1	91%
Kwame Brown	PF	26	11.5	1.8	1.3	72%
Stromile Swift	PF	29	6.8	-0.1	0.2	-200%

Andre Miller	PG	32	18.7	8.6	2.5	29%
Jason Kidd	PG	35	16.9	8.4	3.9	46%
Mike Bibby	PG	30	16.38	6.7	2.4	36%
Anthony Carter	PG	33	10.8	1.8	2.1	117%

Lamar Odom	SF	29	16.5	7.1	4.4	62%
James Singleton	SF	27	16.4	3	1.1	37%
Ron Artest	SF	29	15.6	5.5	3.9	71%
Trevor Ariza	SF	23	15.5	6.3	3.7	59%
Grant Hill	SF	36	15.2	5.6	1.9	34%
Hedo Turkoglu	SF	29	14.8	7.4	4.4	59%
Matt Barnes	SF	28	12.6	3.1	1.4	45%
Kyle Korver	SF	27	12.1	3.8	1.8	47%
Gerald Green	SF	23	11.4	0	0.3	750%
Ime Udoka	SF	31	9.5	1.2	1.7	142%
Devean George	SF	31	7	0.6	0.6	100%

Ben Gordon	SG	25	17	7	1.7	24%
Eddie House	SG	30	15.4	4.8	2.4	50%
Flip Murray	SG	29	14.7	3.1	1.9	61%
Von Wafer	SG	23	14.7	2.6	1.6	62%
Quentin Richardson	SG	28	11.6	2.3	1.2	52%
Dahntay Jones	SG	28	9	2.1	1.3	62%
Morris Almond	SG	23	7.3	0.1	0.2	200%

* 2007-08 stats

"Who Cares" List
Marbury
Juwan Howard
Lindsey Hunter
Jerome James
Jason Hart
Iverson
Jamal Crawford
Brian Cook
Dikembe
Maceo Baston
Marquis Daniels
Travis Diener
Stephen Graham
Rasho Nesterovic
Ricky Davis
Fred Jones
Brian Skinner
Chris Mihm
Quinton Ross
Mike Wilks
Mark Blount
Luther Head
Malik Allen
Keith Bogans
Francisco Elson
Damon Jones
Rodney Carney
Jason Collins
Kevin Ollie
Shelden Williams
Maurice Ager
Trenton Hassell
Jarvis Hayes
Ryan Bowen
Devin Brown
Melvin Ely
Sean Marks
Damien Wilkins
Desmond Mason
Malik Rose
Robert Swift
Adonal Foyle
Anthony Johnson
Tyronn Lue
Royal Ivey
Donyell Marshall
Theo Ratliff
Kareem Rush
Raef Lafrentz
Shavlik Randolph
Michael Ruffin
Calvin Booth
Bobby Jackson
Cedric Simmons
Michael Finley
Jacque Vaughan
Anthony Parker
Jake Voskhul
Jarron Collins
Brevin Knight
Ronnie Price
Juan Dixon
Etan Thomas

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Comments

Nor can imagine Eddy Curry opting out on the last 2 years…

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on Jun 6, 2009 10:23 AM CDT reply actions

solid input

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Boney and Jerseywahoo,

Both your points are likely true, but I can understand why he listed them, its better to just list them all rather than try and pick through which players we “think” might opt in.

by hans on Jun 6, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

If I had to guess

I think the Cavs will be hot to trot after Brandon Bass. Especially if they let Varejao walk.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 6, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions

definitely agreed. i really like his game, and he’s only 23. i guess the question is if we’ve got our very own brandon bass in hickson…but for my money, i’d rather pick up an established bass than wait and risk it w/ jj.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

The sad thing is

none of those players really would have helped against Dwight. Ultimately, only one player would have helped against Howard inside and that guys pushing 40.

AND WE ALMOST HAD HIM!

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 7, 2009 12:44 AM CDT reply actions

I am curious,

who are you talking about?

by RhiNo6705 on Jun 7, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Shaq

The Cavs had a deal in place for Shaq but the Suns didn’t want to take on Ben Wallace’s contract for the next two years. In retrospect, they screwed up since Ben is retiring.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 7, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

That doesn't necessarily mean that the money will come off the cap

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 7, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions

But

It depends on whatever buyout Ben takes.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 7, 2009 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Its not that the money comes off the cap, but the actual money spent on the player would be vastly less through a buyout (which Ben has indicated he would entertain). So the Suns would be saving actual money even though it wouldn’t be reflected in their cap number for the year (they’d be paying O’Neal his full salary if they don’t trade him). Of you’d have to figure in whatever amount they give to the replacement center, but that is at their discretion. The Suns are looking to cut costs not just cap space.

by hans on Jun 7, 2009 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I understand all that

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 8, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

go go Jason Kidd

GO BROWNS!!!

by charliefryfanhaha on Jun 7, 2009 2:12 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah Kidd is an interesting FA, he’s obviously not the same guy offensively that he used to be, but he’s one of the strongest defensive players available and can still run the point well. You’d hate to have him on a long term deal though.

by hans on Jun 7, 2009 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions

i think he played well enough that the mavs are going to make him an offer that no one else will want to match. if he were willing to come to CLE for, like, the MLE, i’d be ok w/ that. otherwise, i’m not that interested, and especially not for a long-term deal, as you point out.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

i’m interested in zaza, though admittedly i don’t know much about the guy. the succession plan at C is non-existent right now, and this is a young guy w/ pretty high-level offensive skills. seems like his defense could use some work, and it makes me a little nervous that he might be Z-ish in that he doesn’t mix it up in the paint.

bass is another intriguing young guy, but i think he may have played himself into too big a contract. if AV walks, though, as has been pointed out, bass may be a good option.

when it boils down to it, i feel like we can put a couple of filler pieces in place this off-season, but the big decision is if you go get boozer (sign-and-trade for the max) or if you wait for bosh next year.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions

I saw that Windhorst was big on Villanueva for the Cavs — what do you guys think of that?

By the looks of things, he shoots more three-pointers than he should (hits 32% or so for his career) and doesn’t get as many rebounds as a guy his size should (perhaps because he’s standing outside the three-point line), but you can’t deny his talent.

by Chemo on Jun 8, 2009 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, I was thinking about him too. Certainly any guy we pick up is going to have some holes, but he may provide the size and quickness that we lacked in our big men against the Magic. And the Cavs are used to big men who like to shoot from the outside, right? Honestly, the Cavs don’t want a guy like Shaq who’s going to plant his fat butt in the paint and clog the lane for LeBron’s drives. We want a guy like Z who can shoot on the pick-and-pop, but Villanueva should be better on the defensive end than Z at this stage of his career. I’m intrigued.

by Buckeye Brad on Jun 8, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions

i’m not big on villanueva. i just don’t think he brings enough that differentiates him from our current guys. if AV walks, that’s a different story, but villa isn’t an answer for the frontcourt woes on this squad.

brad, i’ve actually been saying that villa reminds me of a younger, more athletic Z, who doesn’t rebound quite as well. both big, both very skilled, but both very much finesse players who do better work nearer the perimeter, and play mediocre defense. plus, there’s apparently concern about villa’s attitude.

not questioning his skill, just whether or not that skill brings anything unique to the table for the cavs.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Villanueva

would be a prefect fit for the team. You are completely wrong about him. He would be a major offensive upgrade from AV. His athletic ablity would certainly help on defense against the Lakers and Magic. He isn’t a dominate rebounder by any means but that doesn’t matter.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on Jun 8, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

He isn’t a dominate rebounder by any means but that doesn’t matter.

Well if you lose Big Ben and Anderson Varajeo aren’t you a little worried about rebounding?

I’m not against Villanueava, but I’d say he’s not going to be much help on the interior defense, which is a major concern. I don’t want to go overboard on finding someone who can defend against Yao Ming, D. Howard, and the Lakers centers. Thats exactly three teams that we have to worry about. I’d rather take a flyer on a big bodied back-up center that can be brought in in a playoff series against these three teams and provide the defense (who cares about their offense, just focus on stopping those dominant big men). Look at what Kendrick Perkins did in defending Howard. If we can get a guy like Villanueava and a big back up center than I’d be pretty damn happy with our front court (along with Z,Jackson, a returning Joe Smith, and Hickson). Boozer would be nice too.

by hans on Jun 8, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions

it’s interesting that you say i’m completely wrong about villanueva, but then it appears as though you didn’t actually read what i wrote about him.

ultimately, i think we’ve got enough jump shooting big men, and villanueva is one of those. as i said, and you apparently ignored, though, if AV leaves, it’s a different equation.

He isn’t a dominate rebounder by any means but that doesn’t matter.

this is just silly to say about a 6-11 power forward

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions

i should say…we’ve got enough jump shooting, no-defense-playing big men, and villanueva is one of those.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 8, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Boozer

Is there any way possible to bring back Boozer or is he gonna end up in detroit?

by ak513 on Jun 9, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

Suns fan here

After a bad year with my team not even making the playoffs, i took on the Cavs as the team i was rooting for. After years of being eliminated prematurely, i was disappointed again. I know that feeling too well cavs fans.

Anyways, on the bright side, i think the Shaq to Cleveland trade is still a very real possibily. Dont give up hope on that. Since the Suns are headed the way of rebuilding, we are willing to part ways with the Big Cactus.

Another thought, after watching the forwards of the Magic abuse the Cavs D, your GM should seriously consider signing Shawn Marion. He was always the best defender the Suns had during SSOL (not that we had much defense anyways), plus he can catch and finish ally-oops from Lebron all day. Whatchu guys think?

by Funky Flapsack on Jun 12, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions

I would love

Marion would be a prefect fit on the Cavs. If the Big Cactus came to Cleveland he would be the Big Rock star.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on Jun 12, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions

i have it on very good authority from a source inside the cavs organization that our most likely starting lineup next season is:

shaq
bosh
james
delonte
mo

case closed

by CavsLebronFan on Jun 13, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

Bosh?

That’s funny. I’d love to see how Cleveland could even pull that deal off.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 13, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I would love that

but I put the odds on that to about 1 million to one.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on Jun 13, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Why don’t you throw in Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade in there just for fun.

by Buckeye Brad on Jun 13, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Dwight Howard too

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 14, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Shaq and Bosh on the same team?

After Shaq scored 40+ on Toronto, Bosh and Shaq had some words for each other. Bosh basically said Shaq was cheating by camping in the paint, so Shaq responded by calling Bosh the RuPaul of big men. Dont think they like eachother

by Funky Flapsack on Jun 14, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

Both things are true. Shaq does cheat by camping out in the lane and Bosh does kind of remind me or RuPaul.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on Jun 14, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

One player who is capable if teamed with Lebron is Lamar Odom

only if Odom can keep the competitive fires burning. With Odom’s talent on a consistent basis teamed with LBJ is an unbelievable one-two punch together with a coaching strategy…

man up!

by exult463 on Jun 22, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions