Jaguars propose the weirdest / coolest practice field configuration ever
February 17, 2015Roger Goodell, Charity, Cavs tickets, and more – WFNY Podcast – 2015-02-16
February 17, 2015As we inch closer to Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline, the Cleveland Cavaliers are (still) actively looking for a fourth rotational big man due to the state of affairs behind Kevin Love, Timofey Mozgov, and Tristan Thompson. Brendan Haywood is at the end of the road as he cannot even get meaningful minutes in games such as last Thursday’s Chicago game where Love was out and Mozgov was in foul trouble. Shawn Marion’s minutes are also in decline (7.8 minutes per game in February), and while an in-prime Matrix would have had no issue playing a small-ball four, his inability to stretch the floor (28% on threes) or even finish a layup on the offensive end coupled with his now-slower step on defense has made him less desirable. Heck, seldom-used James Jones was the one called upon for big minutes at the four spot, and that was a gross mismatch.
In truth, if the Cavaliers don’t want to have to rely on LeBron James as their defacto fourth big and play smaller (because LeBron cannot simultaneously be our answer at point guard and power forward, as great as he is), there must be an acquisition either by Thursday or via the buyout, D-League, or other avenues. Picking through the ends of NBA rosters, here’s some possibilities that could be had for the flip of Haywood’s contract, currently $2 million but ballooning to a $10.2 million option that is a nice trade chip this offseason.
With that, here’s a look at players who could reasonably be considered when it comes to the Wine and Gold’s radar:
Brandon Bass
When I looked through the roster, the most intriguing option was probably Brandon Bass of Boston. One look at his salary, however, and it could be too high to acquire him in a deal without adding multiple other players to the deal. The Cavs would have to get lucky and have Boston buyout Bass to allow their young big man trio of Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Tyler Zeller to play more.
Bismack Biyombo and Jason Maxiell
I look at Charlotte and think somebody has to be available. With a starting frontcourt of Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, and Al Jefferson, they have a bench with both veteran Jason Maxiell and youngster shot-blocker Bismack Biyombo, who are both playing ahead of ninth pick in the draft Noah Vonleh. Charlotte is over the cap, but not over the tax line. The problem here is that the Cavaliers would have to get a third team involved as Haywood cannot be dealt back to Charlotte in the same season. Biyombo (17.6 MPG, 4.6 PTS, 6.2 RBS, 1.4 BLK) would almost perfect for what the Cavaliers need, but I’m sure Charlotte would want more. Perhaps Maxiell is more realistic (14.2 MPG, 3.6 PTS, 2.9 RBS, 0.8 BLK). Maxiell is undersized at 6-7, but he has a wide frame (260 pounds) and experience playing down low for decent defensive teams in Detroit and Charlotte.
Darrell Arthur
Darrell Arthur in Denver is known as a decent defender and could provide some help for a low price. Denver Stiffs, a SB Nation Nuggets blog suggests a future second-round pick as compensation in a trade for him. His numbers this year (17.9 MPG, 7.5 PTS, 3.2 RBS, 0.5 BLK) show that he likes to shoot (over seven times per game). At 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds, he would provide help at the power forward slot. And if Javale McGee did for some reason get bought out, he would be a fine candidate for a low-risk, high-reward gamble, though he’s battling through leg issues this season.
Anthony Tolliver
Detroit’s frontcourt situation seems a little bit crowded with Monroe and Drummond the clear starters. Behind them, there’s both Anthony Tolliver and Joel Anthony who are in out of the rotation. Tolliver is on a two-year, $6 million deal, and he’s a bit of 3/4 tweener at 6-8 and 240 pounds. But, he could most definitely stretch the floor with his three-point range. Anthony (6-9, 245 pounds) is very familiar to James and the Miami contingent having played 213 games with the Heat during LeBron’s time there, starting 65 games.
Alexis Ajinca and Jeff Withey
New Orleans has some depth with both Alexis Ajinca and Jeff Withey behind Ryan Anderson, Omer Asik, Dante Cunningham, and Anthony Davis. Ajinca, built sort of like Ryan Hollins (more on him in a second), plays far more and has started six games this year for the Pelicans (5.6 PTS, 4.3 RBS, 0.6 BLK), while Withey has only played in 27 games. Withey is a 24-year-old 7-foot shot-blocker who probably isn’t equipped to do much else at this level, but he could probably be had on the cheap as the Pelicans don’t seem keen on playing him much as it stands now.
The “best” of the rest
The Los Angeles Lakers have both Robert Sacre and Ed Davis, but I’m not sure how many more people they can stand to lose as they do have to field a team for the second half of the season and both are playing big minutes for them. In Sacramento, however, something has to give. Demarcus Cousins, Carl Landry, and Derrick Williams will continue to get time, and whether or not Jason Thompson is still there after the deadline and buyout season, it doesn’t seem like they have much use for Reggie Evans or Ryan Hollins. Evans is pretty much a veteran one-dimensional rebounder who brings some toughness, and layup contests between him and Shawn Marion might be a nice halftime spectacle. We all know Ryan Hollins, far too well, but he is a warm body (sort of).
I’ve kind of went through my roster perusal dump. There isn’t a whole lot out there, truth be told. There could be a surprise buyout or two, and I hope the Cavaliers wind up with someone far more prolific than these guys. However, I don’t think David Griffin will come away empty-handed, and if an Amar’e, Kevin Garnett, or Larry Sanders doesn’t wind up in wine and gold, perhaps one of these guys will.
24 Comments
Bass, Biyombo and Ajinca would work well for what we need but are also the least likely to acquire. You cannot coach size is as true today as ever.
If David really is looking for another big, I think he will likely be a rental until the end of the season. Because what will the Cavs do with that big once Anderson Varejao returns to the team next season?
This depends on David Griffin’s guts and NBA IQ. Wiggins for Love was a mistake in my opinion. We have 3 over the hill wings riding the bench, Tristan refusing a generous deal, Delly, Harris, Haywood’s contract, 2nd rounder and close to $1 mill in trade exception – it’s now or never. Miles Plumlee and or Andray Blatche.
Not much out there… and yet, at the same time, any of them would be a huge upgrade over playing James Jones at the 4 again. This guy would be a huge boom or bust prospect, but I wouldn’t mind making a run at Jeff Withey. I liked him as a late first round prospect when he was drafted. Mozgov could be a good mentor for him.
What about Andrew Bynum?
What? Too soon?
Anything that takes more then Haywood’s contract is a waste in my opinion. I’d rather take a guy out of the D league, Arinze Onauku of the Charge made the D league allstar game. Give him a 10 day contract, and see what he can do.
Need that big next year since Andy won’t be healthy.
well, as much as I love Andy, he has played more than 31 games once in the past 5 seasons.
I’d say Enes Kanter is the better bet. Still a young guy with loads of potential, and fits what we need in a big.
Enes Kanter?
Why assume Andy won’t be healthy next year? Using past events to predict the future doesn’t produce accurate results.
View my response to boomhauertjs.
Ignoring them doesn’t either. I’m sure our stat savvy staff knows the modeled amount
Love the idea, but think he might cost more than we have to give
They could also productively look for a backup point guard. I’m not unhappy with Delly, but I think we could do better than him at that spot.
But no matter what, the fact that our biggest concern is fairly deep in the bench is a good problem to be having.
Are any of these guys good enough to get us into the finals, let alone win it? I think we might just be in one of those situations where we have to cross our fingers that Mosgov, Love, and TT to stay healthy and go with that. Unloading Haywood’s contract for something would be great, but I would rather (to use a football term), take the BPA than some useless big man that can’t matchup with the Bulls or whichever team comes out of the West’s bigs.
These guys would be better than Haywood actually playing or Marion/James Jones at the 4. I’m not promising much more than that. They’re insurance against foul trouble and able to provide 10-15 minutes in a pinch.
That axiom just straight up doesn’t apply to medicine, health, or human performance. Sorry. There’s a reason medical records are kept, and physicians consult and update them as a routine part of every visit. Also, I LOVE Anderson Varejao.
Was just about to reply with the same comment, so “uptick”. I like Kanter quite a bit, but I’m not sure I like him for what he would cost to obtain. I think you’re probably talking about the Haywood contract, plus a 1st round pick, plus a young guy (Joe Harris perhaps). The Cavs probably take back a garbage contract from Utah to even out the money.
I completely agree… as the resident Delly-aficionado on this site, I recognize that he is not, in any way, a point guard. If you can’t run a pick-and-roll in the NBA, you’re not a point guard. Delly is a decent combo-guard who can shoot the three, defend 1-3, and does the Varejao-like things that don’t show up in the box score. But if I have to see him trying to initiate offense with the shot clock winding down one more time, I’m going to vomit.
In spite of my comment below, I think the Cavs may be better off finding an experienced vet who can perform this role. Someone who will not mind only coming in for a couple of minutes per game or longer when there is an injury. Like Nazr Mohammed provided for the Bulls for several years. Jason Maxiell would definitely fit that bill. Emeka Okafor would be great if he is willing to play for the minimum. I have no idea what’s going on with his injury status though… not sure if that herniated disc in his neck has ended his career or not.
If we were talking about a sprain, or a broken hand, or a shoulder injury, etc…I would agree with you. Unfortunately, for a basketball player in his 30s, an achilles injury is a death sentence. I don’t think the Cavs can rely on Andy being in their rotation next year. I hope I’m wrong…
http://thehoopdoctors.com/2013/07/top-10-nba-careers-ruined-by-achilles-injuries-1992-2013/
I see no reason why they can’t keep all their bigs even when AV returns. Several teams are going small and bigs are a hot commodity during playoff time because of the much needed defense. The Cavs are definitely in WIN NOW mode. Just imagine the lineup with James, Irving, Mozgov, Verajao and Love plus the bench with another big.
The best one i see is larry Saunders…..good shot blocker can give dbl digit scoring and he’s a very good rebounder