This is your home for all the rumors, real and otherwise, when it comes to the NBA Trade Deadline. All trades must be completed by 3PM est today. We'll keep updating as the rumors and deals come in.
Have a rumor? Send it to me -- fearthesword@gmail.com
3:00 PM -- And.....TIME! While trades will be announced as the afternoon goes on, it appears the Cavaliers avoided the temptation and will take a team that is 41-11 into the playoffs. I wrote a couple days ago that I thought that was the best scenario. While all the trade talk is fun and exciting, I still believe that.
2:53 PM -- JA Adande is saying Shaq is staying put.
2:50 PM -- There is a possibility that the Cavs and Suns could get something done, just not involving the players we thought. A deal between Cleveland and Phoenix involving F Matt Barnes is a possibility.
2:45 PM -- Looks like Richard Jefferson will stay with Milwaukee. He had been linked to the Cavaliers, but we couldn't think the Bucks would dump another talented player to the Cavs, could we?
2:20 PM -- Line of the day so far, regarding the Knicks acquiring of Larry Hughes --
For the Knicks, the trade is a bigger deal. Hughes can be a dynamic scorer and fills a huge need for the Knicks in the backcourt as they continue their push toward the playoffs. The Knicks have struggled to find scoring at the two-guard since trading Jamal Crawford to the Warriors.
Who would have thought the words "dynamic" would be used to describe Hughes, and "push to the playoffs" when talking about the Knicks. The NBA -- Where B.S. Happens!
2:00 PM -- One hour to go. Does Danny Ferry and the brains behind the Wine and Gold have a bullet in their chamber??
1:48 PM -- The latest -- as I stated before, the Cavs and Suns are looking for a 3rd team to help the Suns out with the money. More to come...
There also appears to be a 2nd deal on the table. According to sources, the teams involved, including the Cavs, could be at the point where draft pick compensation is being discussed. This is just rumor.
1:37 PM -- Larry Hughes is on the move again, this time to New York and the Knicks. As for the Cavs, there is no way I trade Wally Szczerbiak to the Phoenix Suns in a deal for Shaq. Talk about financially crippling the franchise. Now, if we can get a 3rd team involved...
12:30 PM -- Sources, like ESPN's Chad Ford, are talking about the possibility that the Cavaliers could have a shot at Carlos Boozer as well. Personally, I have no idea how I would feel about that move. While there is no indication the Cavs are talking to the Jazz, he would be a better fit with Cleveland than Shaq, and the money the Jazz would save has to be enticing.
Noon -- 3 hours to go and the Cavaliers are one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA right now. It is appearing that the Cavs are trying to work a deal with Phoenix Suns for Shaq. Sources are telling Brian Windhorst that the Cavs have offered Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic for the Big Diesel.
Windhorst explains that this deal would be great for the Suns because Wallace's contract actually goes down in value next year while Sasha's contract is only guarunteed for $1 million, making it close to an expiring deal.
The Cavs are also discussing Richard Jefferson with the Bucks, but that is considered a long-shot right now.
0 recs | 49 comments
So, how good of a defender is Shaq diesel?
hans - February 19, 2009
He’s still an intimidating presence inside, that’s for sure!
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - February 19, 2009
I’m a little unsure about who we give up though. If you took contracts out of it, Ben Wallace has been a more valuable player than Wally because he has been having a resurgance on defense this season and Wally, well doesn’t play defense as well. A basket saved (or defensed) is as good as a basket scored. Although I can’t see us trading both Wally and Sasha.
hans - February 19, 2009
Hear the Suns are pushing for Wally instead of Wallace...
Nate Timmons - February 19, 2009
And now over at ESPN they are saying that the deal is not close to being completed, yes they talked but no there isn’t anything of much substance there.
hans - February 19, 2009
Of course they are. That way, if/when it happens they can say they broke the story. In the NBA, nothing is “close” or “imminent” until it happens.
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - February 19, 2009
Sacrilege, perhaps, but I’d rather have Benedict Boozer. From Ford’s ESPN chat:
macasson - February 19, 2009
Yeah I’d take Boozer over Shaq too.
hans - February 19, 2009
2 hrs to go and I’m rooting for no Shaq. Boozer, Joe Smith, or Jamison on the other hand … would be very nice.
macasson - February 19, 2009
ESPN says:
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
yeah, i saw that, too. i’d like to think that smith would rather try to finish what they started last year in the playoffs with the cavs than sign with old buddy kg in boston. i doubt it’s a done deal to boston, if he were to get bought out.
macasson - February 19, 2009
I still hate Booz. Am I alone in this?
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
No. You aren’t. I think there were alot of things said after the fact that make a Boozer deal impossible, even though this is a new regime.
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - February 19, 2009
his actions were despicable, but … man, he’d look good on that frontline.
macasson - February 19, 2009
If he’s healthy… Which he still isn’t…
painaxl - February 19, 2009
this is a good point. i read somewhere that he’s getting close to coming back from this most recent injury, to his knee, i think. i’ll see if i can find the reference …
macasson - February 19, 2009
Nothing too official, but, again, from Ford:
macasson - February 19, 2009
He rarely is.
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
Personally, I think Shaq would be a net gain over Wallace. Yeah, you miss a bit of defense, but you’ve got a surefire finisher at the rim.
Also, I don’t understand Steven A. (what else is new?) screaming on ESPN about how Shaq and Z don’t fit together. Z can shoot the midrange and run the pick and roll while Shaq is down on the block.
painaxl - February 19, 2009
who defends the ‘4’?
macasson - February 19, 2009
A valid question. I would say it would shift based on what team. Probably Shaq or LBJ if it’s a smaller, more athletic four.
painaxl - February 19, 2009
Then again, I think this is the one issue with the deal. Most of the skepticism I hear nationally has to do with Shaq’s impact on the Cavs offense, which is what I find so baffling.
painaxl - February 19, 2009
looks like you’ve seen the True Hoop commentary, though right? See below. I’m a huge Shaq fan, but I don’t see this as a fit.
macasson - February 19, 2009
He just wants to see the Cavs fail. I mean, how could he think that bringing in a future HOF’er, a guy with 4 rings who knows how to get it done during the playoffs, is anything but a bad move.
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - February 19, 2009
Sarc?
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
A little.
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - February 19, 2009
Steven A. is a blowhard. Ignore him. Henry Abbott, on the other hand, is usually quite reasoned in his analysis. Here’s what he says about Shaq on the Cavs:
Yeah, there’s a lot to like about Shaq’s resume, winning titles, but it’s not necessarily a great move. And this doesn’t even get into defense, lineups, etc.
macasson - February 19, 2009
I’m still glad we’re not trading for him.
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
I’m relieved, too. Would’ve been a splash, but I can’t see how it would be have been a very wise move.
macasson - February 19, 2009
I did see this, but didn’t quite understand the implication. Yes, Shaq is a large guy and stays down low. However, when he won with Miami, Dwayne Wade drove a lot, as I recall. Kobe Bryant wasn’t always as much of a jump shooter as he is now (although he was, admittedly, less of a slasher then D. Wade). So is the argument that he’s drastically slower then he was a few years ago? So much so, that he wouldn’t be able to get out of the way for a driving scorer?
painaxl - February 19, 2009
hadn’t really thought of it that way – you make a good argument. i think that abbott is saying that shaq circa 2009 is an older, heavier, slower, more deliberate player … and maybe also that those lakers and heat teams executed more efficiently in the halfcourt? and i don’t think it’s about getting out of the way, but about occupying that space in the first place, with at least one other monster.
regardless, the thought of shaq finishing lobs from lebron is a nice one – recall all those missed layups/dunks off lebron feeds, e.g. vs. the lakers in the q? beyond this, though, i hope the cavs don’t bite on the trade.
macasson - February 19, 2009
Our old pal Larry Hughes is NYK-bound.
How will he fit in D’Antoni’s system?
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
Looks like deckchairs on the Titanic, as none of the contracts go beyond 2010 … and Jerome James is actually in the last year of his deal.
macasson - February 19, 2009
Hold your breath:
macasson - February 19, 2009
aw crap, ignore this. i got suckered by the cleveland.com hoi poloi
macasson - February 19, 2009
That’s actually kinda funny.
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
yup. i am a Moron. ah well, 45 minutes to go.
macasson - February 19, 2009
From ESPN:
macasson - February 19, 2009
sorry CavsBlogger, didn’t mean to step on your toes …
macasson - February 19, 2009
Just say no
to Matt Barnes
Shaq would be interesting while Boozer (if healthy) makes the Cavs the favorites in the EAST (even more so).
Hardcore Legend - February 19, 2009
Where are the onslaught of deal?
I thought teams were dumping contracts in this economy??!?!
Hardcore Legend - February 19, 2009
Well, one team dumping a contract is another taking on a contract…
JulioBernazard - February 19, 2009
Orlando makes a move
to get a PG. Here I thought they’d fade into oblivion quietly.
Hardcore Legend - February 19, 2009
the best deals available to the cavs were definitely camby and boozer (let’s say he’s ready to come back at 100%)—assuming wally was the primary factor in the package that the cavs shipped out. strategically, each provides front court depth, rebounding, and toughness, and financially, both are sub-$12mm guys who come off the cap after the 09-10 season, at the latest.
moving wally, though, was only the right thing to do for a smart deal. i love the restraint and adherence to principle that ferry and the whole org have shown today. jim paxson would have jumped at sending wally and sasha to PHX for shaq.
DontCallMeJoey - February 19, 2009
Do we need Wally?
The question is who helps you win? Wally is a set shooter that struggles making easy layups and can’t play defense. He’s also been known to be a malcontent when it comes to playing time.
I just don’t see how holding onto Wally makes the team better.
Hardcore Legend - February 19, 2009
keeping wally isn’t the smart thing to do b/c of on-court stuff. not by a long stretch. although, i’d argue that wally does a great job of stretching the defense, and he definitely doesn’t struggle to make easy layups. plus, while he’s a bad defender, he’s at least trying his ass off on that end and getting in people’s way.
the brilliance of this non-move is solely contained in the salary and cap implications. to take on shaq’s bloated $20mm for this year and next, you HAVE TO move out a similarly bloated contract…aka wallace. at $14.5mm this year and $14mm next for ben, you just absolutely cannot suffer both shaq and wallace’s contracts on this team. you may say that they both expire at the end of next year, so who cares…well, gilbert cares, in that the luxury tax level is likely going DOWN next season, and lugging those two contracts will jack up his luxury tax bill, and potentially hamstring the cavs from being able to go after a marquee sidekick for LBJ.
at long last, there’s a system and driving principle in place in the cavs’ front office…one that appears to be taking us in the right direction.
DontCallMeJoey - February 19, 2009
complete agreement!
macasson - February 20, 2009
Ben Wallace was part of the trade
involving Shaq. They would be saving $.5 M on that swap plus they expiring contract from Wally.
Hardcore Legend - February 20, 2009
i’m not sure i follow you…but i believe you’re missing my point. the wallace/sasha – shaq deal, obviously, did not get done. the rumor was that had the cavs subbed wally for wallace, then the suns would have taken the deal and shaq would be a cav (i have no idea what actually went down, but i’ll go off of the rumors for now). what i’m saying is that it was a GREAT move by ferry to resist b/c if we were going to take back shaq’s mammoth contract, we had to move out wallace’s mammoth contract. if we had given into the suns’ (alleged) demand, then wallace and shaq would be on the cavs together…eating up a preposterous amount of cap space (and earning gilbert a HUGE luxury tax bill).
DontCallMeJoey - February 23, 2009
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