Hickson, Ilgauskas to Suns , Stoudemire to Cavs?

[Alpha_]

The Cavaliers and Suns are getting close to a trade that would send All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard. Cleveland would send Zydrunas Ilgauskas and forward J.J. Hickson to Phoenix for Stoudemire.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4913305

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... en_sunday/

[Andrew]

Since Ilgauskas is likely headed back to the Cavaliers once thirty days are up, it's essentially Hickson for Stoudemire. Hickson's coming along nicely, he looked pretty good against the Magic the other night but if you're the Cavaliers there's no way you don't take a gamble on the trade paying dividends, perhaps even setting up a handful of championships over the next decade. Meanwhile, it'd be a desperation move by the Suns to get something - anything - for Amar'e lest he opt out and they get nothing in return for him.

[Lamrock]

Hate the trade. The Suns trade a perennial all-star (albeit an overrated one) for a few million dollars savings and JJ Hickson. Meanwhile, the Cavs take the league's best team (who have won 13 straight) and add a power forward who will expect a lot of touches, won't rebound and won't defend.

[Brave Sir Rubin]

Hate the trade. The Suns trade a perennial all-star (albeit an overrated one) for a few million dollars savings and JJ Hickson. Meanwhile, the Cavs take the league's best team (who have won 13 straight) and add a power forward who will expect a lot of touches, won't rebound and won't defend.

"Few million dollars" is an understatement.

This was a mandatory trade for the Suns. They either trade him and get something (J.J. is gonna have a decent career, watch and see), or simply loose him to free agency. It's not like they're a championship caliber team this year as it is. There is no need for them to keep him.

[Lamrock]

They should deal Nash too then if they are trying to rebuild. Deal him for Jameer Nelson or something

[Alpha_]

Based on the offers I have seen thus far, I would rank them as follows:

1. Amar'e to Philly for Iggy and Dalembert. I am also a Iggy fan, and I love the versatility he brings.
2. Amar'e to Miami for Beasley and parts. Not sure why the Suns aren't interested, but I like Beasley. He could be every bit as dominant as Amar'e when paired with Nash.
3. Amar'e to Cleveland for Hickson and Z. Hickson has some upside, and would probably blossom in the Suns' system, but just walking away with him is not enough.

Frankly, the Suns need to walk away from this deal having accomplished three things; bringing in a significant piece for the future, adding a first round pick, and clearing some cap space. Anything less simply isn't enough.

[Lamrock]

I'd like to see Benji's record projection for a Cavs team with Amar'e.

[Rip32]

Hickson is a product of LeBron. There's no way to defend swapping Amar'e for Hickson unless you realllyyyyy like under-sized power forwards who don't rebound or defend well and score 80ish% of their points off dunks and put-backs then you see this would be the worst deal talent wise.

If it does go down I hope Cleveland's chemistry just blows-up. Shaq, Ilgauskas, Amar'e? Somebody's minutes are going to be slashed and as we saw earlier this year, LeBron tends to favor playing with Big Z so we may see a Shaquille O'Cancer.

That last part may be wishful thinking on my part though.

[Lamrock]

The only one who would get a substantial minutes slash is Varejao.

[benji]

I'd like to see Benji's record projection for a Cavs team with Amar'e.

Hollinger's system says +1 win, QueenCityHoop's Player Swap Tool (I replaced Hickson with Stoudemire) says +3 wins, but also says they'd only go 18-11 the rest of the way to finish 60-22 and lose five points off their net.

[Patr1ck]

Of course Big Z can't be traded completely, his puppet is in the Nike commercial with Lebron.

[Andrew]

Cavs remain leaders to land Stoudemire

Seems the Sixers are the closest after them, if they're willing to let Iguodala go.

If there’s one trade offer that would be likeliest to usurp the Cavs’ proposal, it would be the Philadelphia 76ers softening on their stance that they won’t include Andre Iguodala with Sam Dalembert in a package for Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa. The Suns had been receptive to that deal, despite the belief of some in the league that Phoenix owner Robert Sarver doesn’t want to take on future contracts, just shed them.

And as reported earlier, should the Cavs/Suns swap go down, Ilgauskas is likely to return anyway.

While it’s against NBA rules to make a pre-arranged deal, multiple sources say Ilgauskas would have to be on board with taking a buyout from the Suns, allowing him to return to the Cavs after the 30-day waiting period. The Suns certainly factor in how much Ilgauskas would want in a buyout to make sure this trade gets them maximum tax relief. Much of that buyout would hinge on how much the Cavs could give him to re-sign. The Cavs still have their bi-annual exception available to re-sign Ilgauskas.

A source close to Ilgauskas insisted the issues he had with coach Mike Brown over where and when he would break Cleveland’s record for games played wouldn’t affect his desire to return.

It's funny that it's still against the rules given that it certainly does happen and not too infrequently at that. I guess it only becomes an issue when someone like Jerry Stackhouse opens their mouth about it and the league is forced to step in.

[The X]

Shaq is an idiot. He compared JJ Hickson to Cedric Ceballos. Two completely different players in completely different positions

[Alpha_]

Amar'e talks trade rumors: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15301

[Andrew]

Shaq is an idiot. He compared JJ Hickson to Cedric Ceballos. Two completely different players in completely different positions

Yeah, that comparison was a head scratcher.

[Laxation]

The only one who would get a substantial minutes slash is Varejao.

Do you think? If he gets his minutes cut, who is going to play defence?

Lineup with Amare at C, Lebron at PF could be nice to watch, but would get hammered defensively.
I don't think this trade will give the Cavs any better shot of winning the title, probably hamper them, just because of how overrated Amare is, and how terrible his defence is.

[Kenny]

Why would the Cavs change their roster? They're the best team in the league right now, so they've obviously got a good thing going. I could only see them losing momentum by adding Amare because he'd have to fit into a different system.

[Andrew]

They had the best record in the league last year too but ultimately were derailed in the ECF. With free agency looming for LeBron, they're obviously keen to do whatever it takes to put themselves in the best position to win a championship this year and beyond.

[Stress Fracture]

Who's general manager proposed this deal? Come on, Amar'e to the Cavs? No way.

[Martti.]

Kerr should just trade Amare for Jerome James and Brad Miller he's so dumb. C'mon, first it was Marion for Shaq? The Suns sucked like hell after that. Now this? Hickson is young and promising yeah, but why just give the Cavs one of best power forwards in the game?

If this goes, then the Suns and the Cavs would have a deal of (players still with the team) - Shaq and Amare for J.J Hickson and Big Z (who would probably be bought out now of waived once the season ends)

[Patr1ck]

Guess it would be similar to the Gasol trade.

The Suns might be panicking and this trade could be an attempt at damage control. I don't really see the point other than picking up some young legs because if Amare opts-out, they can sign a big free agent in the off season, right?

[Andrew]

Kerr should just trade Amare for Jerome James and Brad Miller he's so dumb.

I could live with that.

I don't really see the point other than picking up some young legs because if Amare opts-out, they can sign a big free agent in the off season, right?

As it stands they should be under the cap, but as the cap is projected to go down again this offseason it remains to be seen just how much space they'll have. It might not be enough to lure one of the big names.

[NovU]

Hummmmm... So much to happen by this Thursday, but so far so quite. I hope to see him with Wade...

[[Double LC]]

Lebron for Amare pair trade...

[Alpha_]

[Double LC], WTH? hahaha Lebron for Amare, Nash and J-Rich LOL