So now that LeBron's on, how will the Cavs' lineup turn out?

[TheBob]

package miles with davis for someone

I doubt many teams are going to want two swingmen in a deal.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

I think LeBron could play the point, especially if the other choice is Dajuan Wagner.

Someone has got to go:
Darius Miles
Dajuan Wagner
Rickey Davis

one or all of these players has got to result in:
an intelligent team player that can rebound and set screens.

I would trade Ilgauskas first and foremost, this team is going to run and and be athletic, two skills Ilgauskaus lacks, his contract is nasty big though.

Maybe something like this:
Z. Ilgauskas
Darius Miles
Future Number One or 2003 number two
for
Denver's number three pick

Result:
Select T.J. Ford or Carmelo Anthony.
Sign Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand with the Ilgauskas cap space.

Jermaine O'Neal
Carlos Boozer
Carmelo Anthony (Davis, James)
Rickey Davis (James)
LeBron James (Ford)

The trick is moving unwanted chumps.
I would throw more picks or any players I needed to (except Boozer, Davis) to get rid of Ilgauskas' contract.

Ricky Davis is a bit crazy, but wouldn't anyone be on Cleveland last year?

[f.t.w.]

davis is hugely talented with a great upside, but his exploits give the teams with which the cavs could trade too much leverage. they wouldn't get what rickey is worth cuz who knows if hes the next latrell or the next isaiah rider? also i think its an NBA G.M. mortal sin to get rid of a quality center like Z. you gotta ride like houston and build on your 1 and 5 cuz 2 through 4 are a dime a dozen. i think they gotta deal miles, boozer and/or wagner.

[EGarrett]

You can't have Davis, Wagner, Darius Miles, AND Lebron James splitting playing time at the 2 and 3 position.

Wagner is a scorer who isn't comfortable at the point. Lebron isn't quick or savvy enough to defend opposing guards, run plays or break down defenses yet. He needs to play near the basket where his strength and leaping ability can come into play.

Obviously, someone needs to go. It's not going to be Lebron, and Wagner is still an unknown quantity at this point. If Darius' knee gets better he's still basically a stick of dynamite that will explode as soon as he learns to shoot. Ricky put up around 22 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists a game last year so he's obviously near All-Star level, but he still could potentially mess up team chemistry so he's obviously the man to trade.

What do you look for in return? Obviously a point guard who can distribute and hit the open shot. Hopefully 6'4" or bigger but not necessarily. My first target would be the Chicago Bulls, who have 2 point guards fighting over playing time and a hole at the shooting guard position. I'd ask for Crawford, but really I'd be happy with whoever they wanted to give up. I'd also ask for Marcus Fizer to give us some depth at the four spot and even the deal out somewhat. Since the Bulls probably consider both their extra point guard and Fizer to be extraneous assets I don't think this would be too hard a deal to get done.

The obligatory look at the post-trade rotation would give us...

C Ilgauskas / Mihm / Diop
PF Boozer / Fizer
SF James / Jones
SG Wagner / Miles
PG Crawford / Parker

___________

C Curry / Bagaric
PF Chandler / Marshall
SF Rose / Robinson
SG Davis / Hassell
PG Williams / Hoiberg

[Bill Russell]

I think LeBron could play the point, especially if the other choice is Dajuan Wagner.

Someone has got to go:
Darius Miles
Dajuan Wagner
Rickey Davis

one or all of these players has got to result in:
an intelligent team player that can rebound and set screens.

I would trade Ilgauskas first and foremost, this team is going to run and and be athletic, two skills Ilgauskaus lacks, his contract is nasty big though.

Maybe something like this:
Z. Ilgauskas
Darius Miles
Future Number One or 2003 number two
for
Denver's number three pick

Result:
Select T.J. Ford or Carmelo Anthony.
Sign Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand with the Ilgauskas cap space.

Jermaine O'Neal
Carlos Boozer
Carmelo Anthony (Davis, James)
Rickey Davis (James)
LeBron James (Ford)

The trick is moving unwanted chumps.
I would throw more picks or any players I needed to (except Boozer, Davis) to get rid of Ilgauskas' contract.

Ricky Davis is a bit crazy, but wouldn't anyone be on Cleveland last year?

Wouldn't work boy... Cap rules...

Plus, why would Cleveland want Z if they already have Nenê, and would they give (prolly) Carmelo to get him and some other player... I don't think so.

[GloveGuy]

I don't think that anyone on this team has to go. Maybe Miles or Jumaine Jones but not Davis or Wagner. Wagner can play point. So can Lebron. Not every team necessarily needs or should have a true point guard. Wagner, if he isn't plagued with injuries, could breakout next year. I remember when he came back from his injury, he was awesome. He's supposed to be awesome. He certainly has the potential to be one of the best guards in the East. Also, you have Smush Parker who can play point in back of Wagner. I don't think that the Cavs are in trouble at that position really.

[Bill Russell]

I still think my projected starting lineup would be the best idea. LeBron could play as a point forward, kinda like Antoine Walker, or even Grant Hill. Wagner would be a SG, and he would switch positions on defense with LeBron. Davis would go to SF, Boozer would stand at the PF spot and Z on the center. With Z they would be effective on the half-court game. And guys like Wagner, Davis and LeBron can run the break quite well. Plus, Miles would go back to the bench, allowing him to be a 6th man.

[Colin]

I still think my projected starting lineup would be the best idea. LeBron could play as a point forward, kinda like Antoine Walker, or even Grant Hill.

I think you were thinking of Scottie Pippen. But yeh, that'd be a good lineup.

[MaD_hAND1e]

Darius is going to get traded to the lakers, bulk up and be there 4 man, scoring 16 and grabbing 6 boards a game (only in a dream) I love you D!

as for the cavs, they have quite a future if they can keep their squad together and keep improving, who knows they make the playoffs in 2 or 3 years

maybe he can a share in tht 360 pounds tht shaq has~~
lets see, miles is 210
shaq can lipo suction abt 70 pounds couldn't he? he would still be 290. tht would make miles 280
so much for being the future garnett....
seriously tho, miles has gotta go, i think he will be a FA afta his rookie contract expires... all he does is just knock his head every time he makes a dunk.....

[benji]

Plus, why would [Denver] want Z if they already have Nenê

If someone offered me Z for free...I'd take him...he's only the best center in the league after Shaq and Yao (on even numbered days) sure he's only got two years left before he gets that career-ending injury but his salary comes off the books then, and you can replace him with the next young center who's demanding inane amounts of cash...

I like the trading Ricky Davis to the Bulls for a PG idea...but I have a better idea...why not trade him for Jalen Rose...Rose wants to be a PG...he can teach LeBron how to be a PG in a SF's body that plays like a SG...plus then they can have two point-forwards to destroy the full court game of the Cavaliers...since that's what point-forwards tend to do...

A running game for the Cavs? Why? Even if Miles, Davis, James, Wagner and Boozer were all hitting, they'd still lose because only Boozer plays something resembling good defense...sure the Cavs can create a 98ppg scoring offense with their current team plus LeBron...but they're gonna give up 110ppg by upping the pace...then again they can't play a slow down game because only Davis has a consistant mid-range game other than Jumaine Jones who can't use it while moving and defenses would just sag on Ilgauskas...

While I'm on the subject of the Cavaliers. I hate Mike Trico (sp?). Where did he come from? Can someone enlighten this rambling, uninformed scribe? The best moment of the Draft Lottery was when he tried to shake Gordon Gund's hand twice. I love Gordon Gund, quality guy, upstanding character...but really ESPN...is he qualified to tell us about LeBron James talent? and shouldn't he start every quote with "I haven't seen the kid...literally"? At least Gund is very smart and thus kept it to the standard fair about LeBron will help the Cavaliers bring in fans. I half expected Mike Trico to ask Gund what he thought of LeBron James' shooting form or tatoos.

You know what Gordon Gund needs to do. He needs to order all his underlings in and go "all right we got the #1 pick, a great but moody SG, a great but oft broken big man, a band of forwards who tend to do one thing ok, but everything else bad...we need Bobby Sura." Who wouldn't love to see Bobby Sura running like mad all over the court like he used to in Cleveland?

Actually now that I think about it...Jeff Van Gundy appears to be becoming a lock for the Cleveland job. I'm flashing back to the mid-90s with a slowdown offense. What's sad is, I bet the Mark West, Tyrone Hill, Chris Mills, Bobby Phills, Terrell Brandon, Danny Ferry and Bobby Sura Cavaliers led by the Czar (or Tsar whichever you prefer) would beat the socks off the team we'll see hit the floor (and they will literally if Darius Miles has to start at any position other than PG) this fall.

"That's a freak of nature right there. And he's just 17. Seventeen, Chad." - Joe Dumars on "The Second Coming"...

[Bill Russell]

I agree somewhat Ben. I dunno if Rose wants to be a PG, I think he wants all the shots, but I dunno if he's interested in having the ball in his hands all the time.

Regarding Cleveland, I think they should run more, at least more than they did this past season. Sure, they would get burned on D, but someone like Paul Silas would help on that. I think he did a marvellous job on Charlotte/New Orleans, and JVG is somewhat overrated in my opinion. He inherited a Knicks team and coached them for like 5 seasons, and now he's like the best sought-of coach this offseason after Larry Brown? I might be wrong, but I don't think he deserves that kinda attention.

[Clinton]

Good points Ben. I like the Rose idea, but would it work?? He would still want to get his shots. The Cavs do not need another scorer. I think either Crawford or Williams would be the better long term option.

[EGarrett]

I like the trading Ricky Davis to the Bulls for a PG idea...but I have a better idea...why not trade him for Jalen Rose...Rose wants to be a PG...he can teach LeBron how to be a PG in a SF's body that plays like a SG...plus then they can have two point-forwards to destroy the full court game of the Cavaliers...since that's what point-forwards tend to do...

Well, Rose would be even worse for team chemistry than Davis. While both love to shoot all the time...at least Davis will let someone else bring the ball upcourt.

...and I don't think a point forward destroys the full court offense...Jalen Rose does because he'll bring the ball up and shoot it...but if your forward can get a rebound and take off downcourt without having to wait for an outlet pass that can only help your running game. Plus with Wagner and either Crawford, Davis, or Miles as your guards you're going to have plenty of quick guys who can finish when leaking out.

Obviously, the team will need to improve it's defense a whole lot before they can have a fast break offense. There's some hope though. Van Gundy is a great defensive coach, Z can be a shot blocker based on his height alone and Miles is a good long defender who can block shots also. With the team's athleticism playing good defense is just a matter of will and teaching.

[Bill Russell]

Paul Silas reportedly is the new Cleveland coach...

Good choice IMO.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

Tales wrote:

Wouldn't work boy... Cap rules...

Listen Boy, I do not just throw mindless crap around, ok boy.

Denver has the following players under contract boy:

Marcus Camby $7.25m
Nikoloz Tskitishvili $2.72
Nene Hilario $2.26
Rodney White $1.95
Donnell Harvey $1.63
Chris Anderson $0.79
Total $16.6 million*

So let me see, does that leave enough room to trade for Ilgauskas?

Maybe I'm missing someone for around $25 million or so, you tell me boy.

Nene Hilario is not a center, or certainly he would not be if they acquired Ilgauskas, he would be a power forward, any problems with that?

It was just a suggestion anyway, so when you got your facts ready, tell me how the suggestion doesn't work for you, but make some sense and use real facts boy.

I suggested Darius Miles, Z. Ilgauskas and a second round pick for Denver's third selection this year. If you are going to say it's wrong, state what was said, I didn't suggest Ilgauskas for Anthony.

[air gordon]

IMO, rose wouldn't be a good fit with the CAVs. apparently, these cavs like to play transition ball. after watching him play for the Bulls this past year and half, its seems that Rose prefers a half court game where he has control of the offense. yeh me occasionally ran some fast breaks but i could see it now.. cleveland's youngsters running out on the wings for a fast break but end up slowing down cuz Rose wants to run an offensive set that goes through him

[Rens]

paul pierce, Tales was talking about the signings. Cleveland wouldn't be far enough under the cap to sign O'Neal or Brand.

[benji]

I wasn't serious about the Rose deal...just a little LeBron and Rose bashing...

If they were able to rip off the Nuggets and send Ilgauskas and Miles for Carmelo Anthony (it will be Anthony, the Nuggets would have to take him incase Cleveland was to back out)...they'd be far enough under to theoretically sign O'Neal or Brand...the problem is:
1. They can get more $$$ elsewhere
2. They'd probably want to play for a winning team

O'Neal and Brand can play some center...but they're uneffective without some sort of adequate seven footer next to them because they can be double-teamed if they don't have Miller/Kandi nearby...and it's not like the Cavs have ANY perimeter shooters the defense has to respect...

Denver can't fit the trade under the cap unless they renounce Juwan Howard or immediately sign him to a lower contract once Free Agency starts...

IMO, I'd rather start Anthony + Hilario + Howard/Camby than Miles and Ilgauskas with Hilario...Hilario has the size, strength and game to play center easy...Anthony's a far better offensive player than Miles...and Camby is worth more in those 30 games he plays a year because of his mobility and defense and with Howard can offset the loss of Ilgauskas' offense...

Plus...as good as Jermaine O'Neal is...I don't think he can play center...even with Boozer alongside him...

The team you propose:
C- O'Neal/Mihm/Diop
F- Boozer/Stewart
F- Anthony/Jones
G- Davis/Wagner
G- James/Palacio
would probably peak at 45 wins...if James is as good as you claim, he'll demand max money in three years...Anthony will likely follow...don't think Boozer will stick around for the minimum anymore...Wagner will want some big $$$ if the team starts winning...Davis will become even more unhappy with three max players and two higher-paid players alongside him...

I'd keep the team the way it is, slowly adding pieces...that way if LeBron bombs, you can completely start over in 2005/06 by scrapping everything but Ricky Davis and your three first round picks...

[Bill Russell]

Let me explain paul pierce...

Why would the Nuggets want to give away Carmelo Anthony to get Darius Miles (overrated skinny SG with no jumper), plus Z (somewhat old center who's just waiting on another knee/foot surgery, plus has a lot to dough to get in future seasons)?

Why would the Nuggets risk their cap flexibility by giving a future all-star (Anthony) and getting 2 players who will earn a lot of money (ok, Miles will be a FA sooner or later, but Z won't)?

Why would the Nuggets want to get Z and Miles, give away Anthony (prolly) and don't enter the FA market this year? Just for the Cavs to have the possibility of signing O'Neal and/or Brand, which I don't see happening anytime soon?

More importantly, what was the last time a trade happened that the salaries didn't match?

Oh boy...

[The Big Racist]

Plus...as good as Jermaine O'Neal is...I don't think he can play center...even with Boozer alongside him...

well he did it after rik smits retired and before brad miller arrived....he played very well at that position.... so he can do it

[air gordon]

yeh jermaine o'neal is able to play some minutes at Center. but i think it's a smarter decision to keep O'Neal mostly at PF. I think one of the reasons he had such a great season was because of Miller's presence. Although Brad's no superstar, he gives the team a legit post player with good passing skills