As the NBA Turns. It would make for a great soap opera, or better yet, a reality TV show. The rumors continue to fly and the Cavaliers seem to be right in the middle of it. After days of maneuvering for Amare Stoudemire of the Suns, the winds of change might be blowing through The Q.
Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting on Yahoo Sports that the Cavaliers have made significant progress with the Washington Wizards on a deal that could bring Antawn Jamison to the Cavaliers. While that news, in and of itself, is not shocking, the fact that the deal could happen WITHOUT the Cavaliers including J.J. Hickson does come as a surprise.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made significant progress in trade discussions with the Washington Wizards, offering Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon and a No. 1 draft pick for Antawn Jamison and Mike James, sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Some league sources believe this is a deal that is preferable to some members of the Cavaliers’ management and coaching staffs over Amar’e Stoudemire(notes), but Cleveland still hasn’t made a decision on which trade to ultimately make. Other trade proposals that intrigue the Cavs are still emerging on the landscape, but the focus now is on Jamison or Stoudemire.
Washington is still trying to squeeze possibly another pick or young player out of the Cavs, but sources say it’s possible a deal could get done without J.J. Hickson(notes). As it stands, both sides believe they have the framework of a workable deal.
In a lot of ways, that could be a coup for the Cavaliers. It would bring them the player that most people think they wanted all along and they could do it without trading away Hickson, who has quickly become a favorite of LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and the fans.
While I'm not a huge fan of including draft picks, you have to give a little to get a little, and Jamison could be the piece the Cavaliers are missing - the consummate professional that has proven in the past that he will sacrifice touches and shots for the greater good. Oh, and he'd make life miserable for opposing defenses.
Stay tuned.