SHAQ to Cleveland

[kingjames23]

according to the sports ticker during the nba finals (congratz Lakers!) the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to trade for Shaq to toughen their front line. "a deal is in the works".

so, who gets moved? and does this give Lebron and co. a better chance at making it to the Finals and dethroning LA? discuss.

[Modifly]

Unless a reliable source actually write about this trade, I wont believe this rumour yet. Even if this deal turns out to be true, I think it's a bad move for the Cavs. They dont need Shaq to toughen up their front line, he's got little juice left in his game, it's better for them to trade for a promising prospect instead of an ex-dominant player who's declining from his game.

[Dan's Brain]

Question 1: I'd say some combination of J.J. Hickson, Ben Wallace and someone else, with a draft pick.
Question 2: It depends. If it's the same Shaq who showed up for the Suns in the early part of this year, then I think it certainly helps the Cavs. Having another solid offensive option to help out LeBron would be a definite plus. That, and you get a bit of cap relief for 2010fest when Shaq's contract expires.

In terms of the Suns, well, missing the playoffs has to mean that they're rebuilding now, and J.J Hickson would be a solid interior presence, if (when) Amare is moved. Yes they'll suck, but they were going to do that anyway, so they might as well get something good out of it.

EDIT: But it would be worth it to see Dwight Howard destroy Shaq in the conference finals, and (hopefully) shut his fucking mouth for him.

[Angelo]

according to the sports ticker during the nba finals (congratz Lakers!) the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to trade for Shaq to toughen their front line. "a deal is in the works".

Link?

[Andrew]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavaliers still have interest in acquiring Shaq and will revisit the possibility that offseason, the whispers have already started. If it was to happen I'd assume that Ben Wallace would need to be involved simply to make the deal work under the salary cap; from Cleveland's standpoint he'd obviously be expendable with Shaq coming the other way. Given his rejuvenation last season and his expiring contract which would clear $20 million from the payroll, it would be a worthwhile gamble for the Cavs.

From the Suns' perspective, Wallace would be a major downgrade but he'd still be $14 million coming off the books at the end of the year and depending on who else is involved they could be getting a decent player moving forward or further cap relief which suits a rebuilding team fine and presumably that's the course they'll take. If they stand pat another year they could probably compete for a low seed in the West again but I'd be surprised if they didn't try and shake things up for a rebuilding phase on the fly.

[MikeMan™]

Wallace may want a contract buyout .

[Andrew]

He might do, but he doesn't have an opt-out clause heading into his final year and unless there's a clause in his contract that he can exploit to block a trade, it's not going to get in the way of anything.

[Stress Fracture]

Wallace is planning to retire. right?

[dopeboy]

Maybe. Talks about this trade are all over RealGM forum now. I don't know if there is any reason for these rumors, but it seems as they didn't put aside earlier trade talks. They were about Wallace and Pavlovic for Shaq. If Cavs can make this deal, it's definetely worth it. If they have to include Hickson, I'm against it.

[MikeMan™]

I think the plans of Phoenix are :

Trade Shaq for Ben and Pavlovic .
Then after the trade's been done they would maybe force !? Ben Wallace to retire ?
That way they'll save $ 14 M Bucks This Season !

[Andrew]

I think the plans of Phoenix are :

Trade Shaq for Ben and Pavlovic .
Then after the trade's been done they would maybe force !? Ben Wallace to retire ?
That way they'll save $ 14 M Bucks This Season !

No they won't. They'll still have to pay him, whether it's a buyout or he simply sits at home collecting cheques.

[MikeMan™]

Did the Clippers paid White Chocolate ( Jason Williams ) too !?
If so , that's a good scam .

[dopeboy]

I heard that if this trade happens, it will be on the draft day, but that makes me think there will be included Cleveland's 1st round pick. Now I wouldn't support it, if there's either Hickson or 1st round pick involved. Shaq probably wouldn't be able to avoid injuries like he did in Phoenix, because Cavs don't have that good training staff and Shaq's age is the other factor. If they trade for some bigman, it better be Amare. At least, it would be worth it in longer term. Phoenix is looking to get rid of either of them right now, they just need the right offer.

[C-77]

heres the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4257421

this trade would be either good for cleveland or bad for cleveland,if shaq doesn't play like last season then it's bad but good for the next off-season,hmm maybe this would force lebron to go back to cleveland

[shadowgrin]

It's just another knee-jerk reaction by Cavs management to please the King.

[Sauru]

great move by cleveland. now when next season ends (without a ring) and james bolts they will have a ton of cap to sign no one with

[Its_asdf]

It's just another knee-jerk reaction by Cavs management to please the King.

When are any of their moves never used to please LeBron? The Cleveland LeBrons are pretty much his organization to control at this point.

[Martti.]

Shaq for Wallace & Pavlovic or Wallace & Hickson are the most likely trade versions.
If they had Shaq, then I assume Varejao would come off the bench.

[shadowgrin]

Or Z could come off the bench.

[dopeboy]

I thought that Varejao is going to leave Cleveland.. If they trade Hickson and Varejao is gone, who's going to be their starting PF?

[Brave Sir Rubin]

It wouldn't necessarily be a bad trade, since they are giving next to nothing (cap in the form of Big Ben) for Shaq.

I highly doubt that Shaq will deliver though, at least at the level and consistency required of a championship contenders' starting center.

Having Z come off the bench would put them at an extreme advantage in the east though... Hell, playing the two together would be beyond ridiculous.

It still won't win them a championship though. Cleveland's real weakness is at its 2-guard position.

[cyanide]

It's intriguing to see Shaq in a Cavs uniform if Cleveland makes it to the finals against the Lakers next year. I wonder if the media will focus more on Shaq vs Kobe, or LeBron vs Kobe.

Off-topic, Shaq's Twitter page is stupid. Based on the shit he writes, he sounds retarded.

[vinceair]

It would be cool to see Shaq in Cavs,but i don't expect more than 10-13 ppg ,5-6 rebs from him.

[Donatello]

this trade would be either good for cleveland or bad for cleveland

I'm not sure how I feel about this trade possibility if they give up anyone beyond Wallace and Pavlovic (like Hickson or whoever). If it's just Wallace+____, then go for it. 10pts/5rebs/Shaq's presence and confidence would be enough to boost the team significantly.

[tee-pane]

I like this trade because Phoenix gets rid of Shaq and his contract, they could get Pavlovic, Hickson, and relief their salary cap. Amare is not leaving though, he is the franchise player for Phoenix, I am sure within two, three years they'll be back. For Cleveland, this could be a gamble, just like when Shaq for Marion happened, nobody would know if Shaq is going to dominate or would be only playing 40 games.