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Photo: Michael Wallace/Miami Herald
Photo: Morry Gash/AP
In today's installment of the Cavaliers' offseason strategy, we take a look at the shooting guards, point guards, and small forwards that the Cavaliers may look to target in the trade and free agent markets. As I mentioned before, the Cavaliers hope to add a player to their starting lineup that could potentially send Delonte West to the bench. The move likely wouldn't cut West's minutes too dramatically, but it could provide the Cavaliers with a more sizable backcourt instead of teaming the 6'1" Mo Williams with the 6'3" West again. Especially if Pavlovic departs via a trade, the backcourt will consist of Mo, Delonte, Boobie Gibson, and Tarence Kinsey, which would likely be the smallest backcourt in the league. Some of these potential acquistions, however, are too big to play consistent minutes at the 2-guard. So, some scenarios would keep Delonte in the starting lineup and force LeBron to the power forward position. Then, Anderson Varejao, if re-signed, would likely round out the starting lineup if no one else is signed. The Cavaliers would ideally like to have both West and Ilgauskas come off the bench to pack some scoring punch and experience, but it remains to be seen if they can accomplish that.
Shooting Guard/Small Forward Options:
Richard Jefferson: 2009 Stats (82 games, 19.6 PTS, 4.6 RBS, 2.4 AST, 44% FG, 40% 3PT, 81% FT)
Pros: A legitimate second or third scoring option while providing solid perimeter defense. The Cavaliers have seen first hand how lethal Richard Jefferson can be in the playoffs when he played against them while a member of the New Jersey Nets. Has become an increasingly good three point shooter recently, shooting 40 percent last year after being a 35% shooter from deep in his career. He also can drive to the basket and create his own shot. He is just 29 years old.
Cons: Numbers were partially inflated playing for bad New Jersey and Milwaukee teams lately. Cavaliers will have to start him at shooting guard or move LeBron to the power forward. RJ is 6'7", so some of the smaller shooting guards may best him with speed. Contract is 2 years and over 29 million.
Take: This is the guy I thought they should have got at the deadline when the Shaq deal was falling through. He is the perfect fit for the Cavs if he can adjust to playing shooting guard. 25 percent chance.
Gerald Wallace: 2009 Stats (71 games, 16.6 PTS, 7.8 RBS, 2.7 AST, 1.7 STL, 0.9 BLK, 48% FG, 30% 3PT, 80% FT)
Pros: A jack-of-all-trades; Wallace can score, rebound, defend, distribute, force turnovers, and block shots; a real stat stuffer. A good free throw shooter and probably the best player on the Bobcats. Gerald is very athletic and watching him run the floor with Mo, Delonte, and LeBron would be a delight. 27 years old.
Cons: Not a good outside threat, and Wallace is not the best ball handler. Again, there is the issue of playing him or LeBron at the power forward slot because he may be too big to play shooting guard at 6'7" and 215 pounds. 4 years and 41 million left on his contract.
Take: Wallace would be a dream on the defensive end for MB, and his athleticism may encourage the Cavaliers to fastbreak more often. I wouldn't complain about his acquisition at all. 20 percent chance.
Shawn Marion: 2009 Stats (69 games, 12.9 PTS, 8.5 RBS, 2.0 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.0 BLK, 49% FG, 80% FT)
Pros: One of the best perimeter defenders in the game, Marion can guard anyone from 6'3" to 6'10" with his long 6'7" frame. Like Gerald Wallace, he is incredibly athletic and defensive minded. Has a decent offensive skillset and ability to take it to the basket. Good free throw shooter.
Cons: The UGLIEST shot in the history of the National Basketball Association, he can be streaky from downtown. Not a consistent scorer outside of the Phoenix system where he thrived by running the floor and getting easy transition buckets. Probably wants too much money in free agency. He's 31 now too.
Take: He is the type of guy that would answer our matchup issues against Turkoglu and Lewis for Orlando. If he can be had for the right price, it wouldn't be a bad signing. 12 percent chance.
Anthony Parker: 2009 Stats (80 games, 10.7 PTS, 4.0 RBS, 3.4 AST, 1.2 STL, 43% FG, 39% 3PT, 83% FT)
Pros: Euro-style player coming from there, Parker was on the Cavaliers radar a couple of years ago. He is a great shooter and a solid defender. With great size at 6'6", he would answer the cry for a bigger starting backcourt and allow the Cavaliers to bring a potent Delonte West off the bench.
Cons: 34 years old and little playoff experience. May be more suited for the uptempo style. Won't wow you, and he probably won't be a consistent 15 points scorer or anything like that.
Take: The Cavaliers sought his services previously, so Ferry may have his eyes on him a second time. I would like to see what Delonte could do off the bench and how the Cavaliers would do with a bigger starting lineup. 40 percent chance.
Trevor Ariza: 2009 Stats (82 games (20 starts), 8.9 PTS, 4.3 RBS, 1.8 AST, 1.7 STL, 46% FG, 32% 3PT, 71% FT)
Pros: Ariza really emerged in the postseason by averaging over 11 points per game and making some incredibly critical steals to seal games for the Lakers. Extensive playoff experience now, and he has plenty of experience covering the Orlando guys with success.
Cons: Jumpshot is still quite inconsistent, and I would hesitate a bit at throwing him a five-year deal for the mid-level exception, which is probably what it would take at least. Lakers want to keep him.
Take: I don't think the Lakers let Ariza go as he will likely only get better. If the Cavaliers stole him, it would be a huge score. 5 percent chance.
Vince Carter: 2009 Stats (80 games, 20.8 PTS, 5.1 RBS, 4.7 AST, 1.0 STL, 44% FG, 39% 3PT, 82% FT)
Pros: A great scorer who can do it all in that department. Still very athletic and a good shooter from downtown last season at 39%. VC can still attack the rim and get to the charity stripe where he shoots 82%. Playoff experience from Toronto and New Jersey.
Cons: Anyone remember the Cavaliers-Nets series in 2007? Well, Sasha Pavlovic basically shut Carter down for the series as Carter struggled mightily. To be fair, he won't have to be the main guy for the Cavs, but that's still something to keep in mind. He has also become injury prone. Not a good defender by anyone's imagination.
Take: There have been rumors for almost two years now about the Cavaliers having interest in Carter, and I truly think he is there for the taking if the Cavaliers want to give the Nets the cap relief. We all know the Nets are concerned about the summer of 2010 and only the summer of 2010 with young players like Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian to try and lure LBJ. Carter would be a good contigency plan, not like the Larry Hughes contingency plan that backfired. 20 percent chance.
Grant Hill: 2009 Stats (82 games, 12.0 PTS, 4.9 RBS, 2.3 AST, 1.1 STL, 52% FG, 32% 3PT, 81% FT)
Pros: A very experienced wing who has shown that he's still got it. Played in all 82 games last season which is a great sign that perhaps his chronic ankle injuries aren't much of an issue. Still a decent scorer for the amount of touches he gets in Phoenix's offense. Good foul shooter. Great Sprite commercials back in the day, and it would give him and LeBron something to talk about. The Dukie product is very intelligent. Good defender.
Cons: He has seasons full of DNPs thanks to injuries, and his three point shot is non-existent. Who knows how much gas is truly left in the tank at 37? Not the All-Star he used to be obviously.
Take: Another guy similar to Jason Kidd in that if they got him on a veteran-minimum type deal, it would be great. But, I see the Cavaliers going a different direction. 4 percent chance.
Josh Childress: 2008 Stats (Played in Europe for '09 Season): (76 games, 11.8 PTS, 4.9 RBS, 1.5 AST, 0.9 STL, 57% FG, 37% 3PT, 81% FT)
Pros: A young, athletic player who would answer the matchup woes plaguing the Cavaliers against more athletic teams. Before leaving for overseas play, he was really coming into his own for the Atlanta Hawks as a sixth man. May be expendable for them now with Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Marvin Williams, and Josh Smith all in the fold. A solid rebounder and he is 6'8".
Cons: Toughness is an issue, and definitely not a prolific scorer. Not sure if he really fits the Cavaliers philosophy or rotation as is. Not a shooting guard at 6'8", so he would need to be a bench player.
Take: I'm not sold on this one although he is young and athletic with room for improvement. 2 percent chance.
Point Guard Options:
Jason Kidd: 2009 Stats (81 games, 9.0 PTS, 6.2 RBS, 8.7 AST, 2.0 STL, 42% FG, 41% 3PT, 82% FT)
Pros: A hall-of-fame point guard who is one of the best triple-double machines of the modern era. Has loads of experience and veteran leadership, and I don't think he would affect the team's chemistry one bit as he would be willing to take a bench role of 20-25 minutes a night. Still a solid defender and has great size for a point guard at 6'4". He rebounds incredibly well for a PG. Strong relationship with LeBron from their Olympic experience.
Cons: Age, Kidd turned 36 this year and he is on the decline. Furthermore, his jumper has always been questionable since his career shooting percentage is barely over 40 percent.
Take: Kidd mentioned during the season that he would love to play with LeBron. This would be a great opportunity for him if he were willing to accept a severe paycut to play for a contender and have a shot at a ring. 10 percent chance.
Other than Kidd, I believe the Cavaliers will look to upgrade the backup point guard position with their draft pick(s). I will have more on that later this week.
Kirk's Guards/Small Forward Wishlist
1. Richard Jefferson
2. Gerald Wallace
3. Shawn Marion
4. Vince Carter
5. Jason Kidd
6. Trevor Ariza
7. Anthony Parker
8. Grant Hill
9. Josh Childress
PREDICTION: In this current NBA market, there are many sellers and few buyers, the Cavaliers being one of them. Teams like Milwaukee, New Jersey, Charlotte, and Phoenix are looking to avoid salary cap hell, and in order to do that, they may be willing to unload some pretty solid players to escape the obligation of their hefty contracts. Dan Gilbert has showed time and again that he is willing to take on a heavy payroll if it means that the Cavaliers will be championship contenders. I think we could get a trade done for one of these guys, possibly involving Ben Wallace if he's not dealt for a big guy. Perhaps we can get a packaged deal from a team (Jefferson and Villanueva in Milwaukee or Gerald Wallace and Okafor in Charlotte), but if that doesn't work out, I think the Cavaliers are intrigued by Parker. We've seen in the past that once Danny Ferry keys in on someone, like Delonte for instance, he doesn't stop following him. In the end though, someone will be had on the market for cheaper than expected, possibly the Matrix. Cavaliers Sign Shawn Marion, possibly in a sign-and-trade.
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