If You Were The GM...

[Anthony]

let's do some role playing.


You're Danny Ferry, GM of the Cleveland Cavs, and you see Pau Gasol go to the Lakers and Shaq going to the Suns. You understand your own megastar - Lebron James - will want/need a megastar to pair up with him. Over the past 2 years you've failed to bring in such a player, mostly due to bad contracts and a lack of trade commodities.

You call other teams, see that nothing can get done. Would you at any point entertain the idea of moving Lebron for a boatload of good players? Not actively shop him, but just on a whim after a long day of having your other offers rejected. This isn't a matter of being proactive and actually wanting to move him, where you would feel obligated to tell Lebron ahead of time. More of a spur of the moment thing. You'd run the risk of Lebron finding out and taking it the wrong way. But you're prepared to dig in your heels and tell him the name of the team isn't "Lebron James Cavs, it's the Cleveland Cavs and you have to explore all possibilities that will be best for the Cleveland Cavs."

What would you do?

[Anthony]

i'll start. Yes, i would absolutely offer him in deals. If the Warriors can win with basically Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson - in the West!!! - and the Hornets can win with Chris Paul - you'd have to consider that having one "10" and a whole bunch of "2's and 3's" may not be as good as a bunch of "6's and 7's". Even the Pistons have won not having anyone of Lebron's elite calibre. i wouldn't announce it in the papers that i'm actively moving him, but with the right team i'd put out a feeler. worst case scenario is i don't wind up moving him. but if i'm a GM and i have the backing of my owner then i'm not leaving any stone unturned.

[Butter]

No. He is worth more in attendance revenue and marketing alone to the Cavs than a team full of no-names that might wash out in the 2nd round every year.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I wouldn't alienate my fan base that way. By himself, Lebron James will not win the Cavs a championship, but if you trade him, you're not guaranteed a championship either. All you're going to do is piss off the Cleveland fans.

The point is that it's OK to trade your star player if your team isn't going anywhere (see Memphis) because you have nowhere to go but up. The Cavs are already a playoff team, and if they gamble by trading their star, they may not even be that anymore. For the Grizzlies, trading Gasol may turn them from a 30-win team to a 40-win team in a year. That's significant. For the Cavs, trading Lebron James may turn them from a playoff team to, at best, a playoff team. There's no significant gain, and there's a great risk of significant loss.

I just couldn't do it.

[rkmsuf]

No. He is worth more in attendance revenue and marketing alone to the Cavs than a team full of no-names that might wash out in the 2nd round every year.

Exactly. Nobody cares about Stephen Jackson and James Posey running up and down the floor. That team goes in the toilet on and off the court without James. At least this way they remain in the nba fan consciousness.

[Izulde]

No, for the following reasons:

1) If it gets out, there'd be incredible backlash from Lebron and the fans. The first hurts the team chemistry, the second would have an impact on the team's financial health.

2) IIRC, megastar NBA deals result in the team trading the superstar getting the short end in terms of value. While you could argue that the ceiling is so high for a player like Lebron that it's impossible to get the same value, my expectation would be that the differential would be too great for such a thing to make any real sense, so why even sniff it out?

[Anthony]

let's just put salary cap concerns aside.

You're Danny Ferry and you are talking to the Rockets' GM, and can't get anything done. You say offhandedly "jeez, seems like the only thing that could get done would be something earthshattering like Lebron for McGrady and Yao, hehehe..." and the Rockets GM responds "why, you telling me you would do that? i'm listening."

i mean, i can only thing of two words for a deal like that: HU-UGE.

i'm seriously gonna consider that deal if i'm Danny Ferry. if i'm Cleveland, i'm thinking Lebron vs. KG, Pierce and Allen isn't gonna do so well. but Yao and McGrady vs. Boston's Big (and only) Three could be a fierce matchup.

just saying.

[Qwikshot]

If I'm the GM, I'm trying to talk Lebron into resigning.

I've beared witness to superstar trading...Charles Barkley for basically no ones, and Allen Iverson for very little. Plus we've seen the Garnett trade.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing you could get for fair exchange.

[Anthony]

so what you're saying is you basically have an untradeable asset?

[Pumpy Tudors]

let's just put salary cap concerns aside.

You're Danny Ferry and you are talking to the Rockets' GM, and can't get anything done. You say offhandedly "jeez, seems like the only thing that could get done would be something earthshattering like Lebron for McGrady and Yao, hehehe..." and the Rockets GM responds "why, you telling me you would do that? i'm listening."

i mean, i can only thing of two words for a deal like that: HU-UGE.

i'm seriously gonna consider that deal if i'm Danny Ferry. if i'm Cleveland, i'm thinking Lebron vs. KG, Pierce and Allen isn't gonna do so well. but Yao and McGrady vs. Boston's Big (and only) Three could be a fierce matchup.

just saying.
Lebron for McGrady and Yao? Now you're talking about getting two stars for the price of one. If they're who the Cavs could get in return, then maybe it's worth a thought. McGrady and Yao are 44 points and 16 rebounds a game. I thought you were talking about trading Lebron for two or three "good" players, like shipping Lebron to Houston for Rafer Alston and Shane Battier. There's a big difference there. Hell, why not just offer Lebron to the Lakers for Kobe and Gasol? Or maybe offer him to Orlando for Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis?

Seriously, I think almost anybody in the league would trade one player to Houston if they could get McGrady and Yao in return.

[Kodos]

I'd try trading for Shaq.

[Mustang]

let's do some role playing.


I'm a Paladin with 18 charisma and 97 HP. I can use my Helm Of Disintegration and do 1D4 damage.

[Pumpy Tudors]

GUYS STOP FUCKING WITH THE HELL ATLANTIC THREAD

[Anthony]

exactly, no matter what the trade, the question is "is he completely off limits, or are you gonna entertain even the most shocking of deals that would be worthwhile".

like i would do Lebron for Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy.

[rkmsuf]

so what you're saying is you basically have an untradeable asset?

No. You can trade it and screw yourself.

[Butter]

Lebron for McGrady and Yao? Now you're talking about getting two stars for the price of one. If they're who the Cavs could get in return, then maybe it's worth a thought. McGrady and Yao are 44 points and 16 rebounds a game. I thought you were talking about trading Lebron for two or three "good" players, like shipping Lebron to Houston for Rafer Alston and Shane Battier. There's a big difference there. Hell, why not just offer Lebron to the Lakers for Kobe and Gasol? Or maybe offer him to Orlando for Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis?

The reason you are thinking that is because HA said "a boatload of good players". McGrady and Yao are above the realm of the merely "good".

[rkmsuf]

I think I figured out a way to get Griffey and Bonds in the safe outfield and it won't even cost us that much.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I would trade Lebron to Dallas, sure. Just give me the whole Mavericks roster. Yep, I'd do that trade. Well, they can keep Juwan Howard, but I'll take the rest of them.

[rkmsuf]

Lebron for Kobe, Bynum and Odom.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Lebron for Kobe, Bynum and Odom.
mitch kupchak AI let you do that?

[Oilers9911]

McGrady and Yao? No way. They are not exactly ripping up the league on their current team right now and McGrady just seems to be a bit fragile. It would have to be a knock me over offer and it would have to be involving some younger stars as well. I just don't see trading the best player in the game unless you absolutely have to.

[Anthony]

what about Lebron for Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton?

i would think about that one, i wouldn't completely shoot it down. that's a more realistic trade.

[st.cronin]

LeBron for the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster. I'd make that trade ... if I were the Lakers.

[rkmsuf]

what about Lebron for Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton?

i would think about that one, i wouldn't completely shoot it down. that's a more realistic trade.

cleveland would have to actually add more to the trade to make it work salary wise

[MikeVic]

Do you really want to face a pissed off LeBron?

[Pumpy Tudors]

cleveland would have to actually add more to the trade to make it work salary wise
STOP TALKING ABOUT SALARIES

[Anthony]

cleveland would have to actually add more to the trade to make it work salary wise

well, that would be the meat and potatoes of the deal. after that it'd be a matter of roster filler to make it work.


Lebron for Tony Parker and Manu. that's another not-out-of-the-realm-of-possibilty one.

[JeeberD]

McGrady and Yao? No way. They are not exactly ripping up the league on their current team right now...

*cough*8-2overthelast10games...13-3overthelast16...fourwinsinarow...fiveroadwinsinarow*cough*

Of course, half of that streak is without TMac. A lot of Rockets fans are beginning to sour on him...

[GreenMonster]

There is no way I move Lebron unless I can get Dwight Howard or Kobe and few more piece players. Marketing, cotracts, and everything else aside nobody will provide equal value for Lebron.

[Pumpy Tudors]

There is no way I move Lebron unless I can get Dwight Howard or Kobe and few more piece players. Marketing, cotracts, and everything else aside nobody will provide equal value for Lebron.
If you were paying attention, you'd see that we can trade Lebron for anything we want. I think in this scenario, we're allowed to trade Lebron to the Montreal Canadiens for Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker, and Michael Jordan.

Edit: And Peyton Manning.

[GreenMonster]

If you were paying attention, you'd see that we can trade Lebron for anything we want. I think in this scenario, we're allowed to trade Lebron to the Montreal Canadiens for Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker, and Michael Jordan.

I refuse to move Lebron the NHL without atleast sniffing Crosby.

[rkmsuf]

I refuse to move Lebron the NHL without atleast sniffing Crosby.

that's disgusting

[Subby]

"Just wait till you see LeBron on some skates! He won't even use a stick, he'll smack the puck with his dick!"

[Oilers9911]

*cough*8-2overthelast10games...13-3overthelast16...fourwinsinarow...fiveroadwinsinarow*cough*

Of course, half of that streak is without TMac. A lot of Rockets fans are beginning to sour on him...

Exactly. I like Yao a lot but he and McGrady just don't seem to jell together very well. Then again I am not sure who T-Mac has ever jelled with.

[stevew]

The team is the Cleveland LeBrons, it's why the stadium sells out nightly, and why people give a fuck about basketball in cleveland again. As far as I can see, there will be no chance of bringing in an all-star type player this season, however next season it becomes a distinct possibility. They will have around 20-25m in expiring contracts next season. At some point, Ferry will make a trade and bring in another player of significance, but the odds point towards next season. LeBron is 23, you just can't trade him right now.

Right now the team is on fire, so I would cautiously say that they will have a very good shot of repeating as EC champs.

LeBron plus good team defense may be better than the Celtics trio come playoff times. Allen/Garnett have rarely lit it up in the playoffs, and Pierce had like one good playoff run.

He's untradeable, until the 2010 trade deadline at the earliest. At that point, he'll actually be able to leave via FA that offseason, and if he's still pissed off I wouldn't be suprised to see him moved. I actually wouldn't be suprised to see him play elsewhere starting 2010-11, so if the inclination is that he may move, you go ahead and do it then.

The Cavs have 2-3 more good shots to win a title with LeBron, after that it's up in the air.

[stevew]

like i would do Lebron for Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy.

Yeah, I would probably do that one too.

[Logan]

Adding Prince/Hamilton or Parker/Manu puts you in the same place -- a good team. If anything, since you no longer have that stud you can count on, you're in a worse hole. Not to mention how it kills your fan base. Those guys you mention are definitely talented, but they're "great" in their roles within their respective teams. Putting those pairs on the Cavs minus LeBron and I don't think they advance more than a round in the playoffs.

Basically if I were trading LeBron, I'd want Dwight Howard and some other chips, or maybe a package of Al Jefferson, McCants/Brewer, Ratliff's expiring deal, and their #1 which if the balls drop correctly would be 2nd overall. And I still don't know if you're better off. A lot of teams have stockpiled young assets over the past few years, and can't seem to turn the corner.

[Logan]

As Butter pointed out, Oden/Aldridge/Roy go way beyond "good players." Portland wouldn't do that deal.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Adding Prince/Hamilton or Parker/Manu puts you in the same place -- a good team. If anything, since you no longer have that stud you can count on, you're in a worse hole. Not to mention how it kills your fan base. Those guys you mention are definitely talented, but they're "great" in their roles within their respective teams. Putting those pairs on the Cavs minus LeBron and I don't think they advance more than a round in the playoffs.
Agreed. I don't really see where the benefit is to trading Lebron unless you get Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao, Nicklas Lidstrom, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jessica Alba, Oswald the Rabbit, and Phil Ivey in return. How is any of this even a question?

[Eaglesfan27]

McGrady and Yao? No way. They are not exactly ripping up the league on their current team right now and McGrady just seems to be a bit fragile. It would have to be a knock me over offer and it would have to be involving some younger stars as well. I just don't see trading the best player in the game unless you absolutely have to.

Agreed. McGrady is too fragile and has flamed out in the playoffs. Yao hasn't proven he can win when it counts. LeBron has won in the playoffs and taken his team almost singlehandedly to the Finals and he is younger than either piece.

what about Lebron for Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton?

i would think about that one, i wouldn't completely shoot it down. that's a more realistic trade.

No way. Even less chance I'd do that. I think LeBron is as close as it gets to being untradable unless you are convinced you can't re-sign him for multiple reasons:

- He is young and is going to improve and be in his prime for 8-12 years.

- He is already one of the top 3 players in the league and has shown a capability to make the players around him better.

- He is highly marketable and is a hometown hero on his current club.

[Anthony]

Agreed. I don't really see where the benefit is to trading Lebron unless you get Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao, Nicklas Lidstrom, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jessica Alba, Oswald the Rabbit, and Phil Ivey in return. How is any of this even a question?

wow, you've literally told the same joke 3 times and just used different names.

that is impressive.


i guess i'd just be a different GM. i wouldn't be the type that says "[insert elite player here] is untouchable. don't even mention his name", i'd be more "he's untouchable, but if you got something in mind let me hear it. crazier things have happened, like Shaq going to the Suns for Marion."

apparently Lebron would be off the table no matter what. i guess the question was is he off completely, or is there a certain line that could be crossed where you at least start to think about moving him?

[rkmsuf]

wow, you've literally told the same joke 3 times and just used different names.

that is impressive.


i guess i'd just be a different GM. i wouldn't be the type that says "[insert elite player here] is untouchable. don't even mention his name", i'd be more "he's untouchable, but if you got something in mind let me hear it. crazier things have happened, like Shaq going to the Suns for Marion."

apparently Lebron would be off the table no matter what. i guess the question was is he off completely, or is there a certain line that could be crossed where you at least start to think about moving him?

I would suggest those conversations happen more than fans are aware of.

The reality is in terms of Lebron is that another team can't trade their whole team for him. And the Cavs don't get value unless they get the other team's whole team.

Unless you want to swap like Kobe for Lebron but where does that get anyone?

[Pumpy Tudors]

wow, you've literally told the same joke 3 times and just used different names.

that is impressive.
wow, you figured me out!!!

[st.cronin]

I would trade LeBron for Pumpy Tudors, but not Pumpy Tudors and Hell Atlantic.

[Anthony]

Agreed. McGrady is too fragile and has flamed out in the playoffs. Yao hasn't proven he can win when it counts. LeBron has won in the playoffs and taken his team almost singlehandedly to the Finals and he is younger than either piece.



No way. Even less chance I'd do that. I think LeBron is as close as it gets to being untradable unless you are convinced you can't re-sign him for multiple reasons:

- He is young and is going to improve and be in his prime for 8-12 years.

- He is already one of the top 3 players in the league and has shown a capability to make the players around him better.

- He is highly marketable and is a hometown hero on his current club.


but what is the point if, as a GM and your name is Danny Ferry, you can't surround him with a good complimentary piece? MJ didn't win without Pippen. Kobe hasn't won without Shaq. are you just content having a whole team built around 1 guy which will never be enough to win a championship - Boston tried that with Paul Pierce and finally decided to go for it all and surround him with equal talent. teams like the Nets, with Kidd, Jefferson and Carter, the Pistons with Wallace, Hamilton, Billups and Prince, the Spurs with Duncan, Manu and Parker - they've all shown you can't have sustained success with just one elite guy.

[Eaglesfan27]

I would suggest those conversations happen more than fans are aware of.

The reality is in terms of Lebron is that another team can't trade their whole team for him. And the Cavs don't get value unless they get the other team's whole team.

Unless you want to swap like Kobe for Lebron but where does that get anyone?

I wouldn't even take Kobe for LeBron. Kobe is 7 and a half years older and has more off the court baggage and isn't as marketable as a result.

[rkmsuf]

Ferry has himself to blame. Who signs Larry Hughes to 12 mil per?

[Eaglesfan27]

I agree with you HA, that Cleveland needs to get another star to play with LeBron. That is going to take some creative thinking by Ferry in order to bring one there (unless they can find a GM to gift them a star type player in a salary cap dump), but trading LeBron isn't the answer unless his departure is 100% inevitable.

[Eaglesfan27]

Ferry has himself to blame. Who signs Larry Hughes to 12 mil per?

Yeah, he hamstrung himself with that one.

[st.cronin]

I would trade LeBron for Shakira and Justin Timberlake.

[Anthony]

if James stays in Cleveland, i look for him to tbe the basketball equivalent of Dan Marino. everyone would love to have a Dan Marino, but if you can get by with having an Eli Manning as your QB but having a really good overall team and win a championship (or two) - i know i would do it.

do you want a team with 2 HOFs in Malone and Stockton, or do you want the Pistons who don't have any sure HOF locks but have been one of the elite teams of the 00's? the only team i can think of that won a championship that was built around 1 elite player were the mid-90's Houston Rockets. those teams had Hakeem on them and that's it. yes, he had a really good supporting cast - Kenny Smith, Robert Horry, a young Sam Cassell - but that's what James doesn't have. he's just one guy who calls Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden his teammates. now if Carlos Boozer had stayed in Cleveland - they woulda won a championship by now. i truly believe it.

[Karlifornia]

I'm trying to think of a way I'd be convinced to trade LeBron..I guess it would be one "8" or "9" level player, an "8" or "7" level player, and three first round draft picks....Maybe..

[Pumpy Tudors]

I would trade LeBron for Pumpy Tudors, but not Pumpy Tudors and Hell Atlantic.
But you have to match the salaries, and Hell Atlantic is BALLIN'!

[Anthony]

I'm trying to think of a way I'd be convinced to trade LeBron..I guess it would be one "8" or "9" level player, an "8" or "7" level player, and three first round draft picks....Maybe..

EXACTLY. that's what i'm saying.


LeBron to Dallas. Cleveland gets Josh Howard, Jason Terry and 2 first round picks. Dallas gets to win 2 or 3 championships and the Cavs maybe get to win a couple Eastern Conference titles and get lucky one year and steal a championship after one of the draft picks develops into a great complimentary intangibles Tayshaun Prince type player. where do i sign?

[st.cronin]

I would trade LeBron for Pumpy Tudors and Jenna Jameson.

[Pumpy Tudors]

EXACTLY. that's what i'm saying.


LeBron to Dallas. Cleveland gets Josh Howard, Jason Terry and 2 first round picks. where do i sign?
And if Cleveland makes that deal, what do they get out of it long-term? No appreciably bigger shot at a championship and a drop in attendance? How does this help them?

[rkmsuf]

EXACTLY. that's what i'm saying.


LeBron to Dallas. Cleveland gets Josh Howard, Jason Terry and 2 first round picks. where do i sign?

How does that help you? Howard isn't as good as LeBron. Never will be. 2 lousy first round picks and Jason Terry at 9 mil + a year. You add on in salary and get worse overall.

Unless you think 30 year old Jason Terry is the missing link.

That team gets beat by Boston and Detroit easily.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Unless you think 30 year old Jason Terry is the missing link.
Have you seen the shape of his head? I think he just might be.

[GreenMonster]

EXACTLY. that's what i'm saying.


LeBron to Dallas. Cleveland gets Josh Howard, Jason Terry and 2 first round picks. Dallas gets to win 2 or 3 championships and the Cavs maybe get to win a couple Eastern Conference titles and get lucky one year and steal a championship after one of the draft picks develops into a great complimentary intangibles Tayshaun Prince type player. where do i sign?


If people thought the Grizz. got bashed for moving Pau to soon, Ferry would be run out of the city if this trade went through. They may be able to pull out Jason Kidd with that crap offer, but Lebron James give me a break. Since Dallas will be winning the Title, what good does 2 or 3 1st round picks from them matter. Lots of 25+ picks, Yay.

[Logan]

EXACTLY. that's what i'm saying.


LeBron to Dallas. Cleveland gets Josh Howard, Jason Terry and 2 first round picks. Dallas gets to win 2 or 3 championships and the Cavs maybe get to win a couple Eastern Conference titles and get lucky one year and steal a championship after one of the draft picks develops into a great complimentary intangibles Tayshaun Prince type player. where do i sign?

There isn't a chance that Howard, Terry, a couple late 1st picks, Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson and co will win you anything. Definitely not anymore than LeBron could basically by himself.

You asked what the point is if you can't surround him with the right players...Ferry is going to hope to get lucky. Right now, LeBron's supporting cast is passable. He'll use the next 10 years of LeBron's prime and hope that at some point, he gets lucky with a couple of his late picks, European signings, or a role player performs well above the abilities shown before joining the team.

[Anthony]

fine. James and roster filler type for Josh Howard, Diop, Devin Harris and 2 firsts. bing, bang boom.

unless you think James is the 2nd coming of MJ, there is no team that doesn't have a dominant big man that will win a championship these days.

[Logan]

fine. James and roster filler type for Josh Howard, Diop, Devin Harris and 2 firsts. bing, bang boom, 43 wins and a 2nd round exit.

Fixed.

I'm glad this thread came to light, as I would've endorsed you taking over for Isiah prior to this.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Aaaaaand now we're back to basically trading one guy for an entire roster.

[rkmsuf]

Diop? That guy sucks. And is a free agent after this year.

Howard and Devin Harris for LeBron? Wtf?

[JonInMiddleGA]

i guess i'd just be a different GM.

Actually, you'd be the former GM in a matter of months.
And you'd be hung in effigy.
And your house would be burned down.

The only real question is whether you'd be in it or not.

Sports is entertainment. Lebron is entertaining.
More entertaining than winning 10 more games a year, even if those games are playoff games.

[Butter]

Aaaaaand now we're back to basically trading one guy for an entire roster.

QUIT REPEATING THE SAME JOKES!!!!!!!!!!

[stevew]

unless you think James is the 2nd coming of MJ

He is.

[wishbone]

IF you decide that trading Lebron is an option, it can't be an overnight type deal. You have to start smearing him in the press, get him arrested for speeding, possession. Get him to miss some appearances with orphans or cancer kids and start a few trade rumors like Roy, Oden and Aldridge from the Blazers for Lebron. Get people to stop treating him like a king and you can do whatever you want, but no a year after he takes his team to the finals with 11 other guys tied to him.

[Eaglesfan27]

He is.

Except he will be better.

[rkmsuf]

Except he will be better.


Or maybe he's peaked. Like how Pumpy peaked in jr high.

[Eaglesfan27]

Or maybe he's peaked. Like how Pumpy peaked in jr high.

No reason to think that either of them has. They've shown signs of improving their game every year.

[Pumpy Tudors]

yea tudors is not low in the game, no matter what some guy at a poker table says

[stevew]

Some names I've heard the Cavs are interested in. A lot of problems with any of the trades is that the majority of the Cavs contracts expire after next season, which makes them less attractive for a swap right now.

Mike Bibby-Deal should have gotten done last year, but apparently Petrie was dicking around too much. Still could be a possibility this year, but with Anderson hurt, you can't just trade Gooden right now. And I think Petrie wants Kenny Thomas(3 years 24ish million) included, which right now is a horrid concept to consider taking back. This one could still get done, but I strongly doubt it.

Mike Miller-Ideally this is the guy I'd like to see us get, although Memphis isn't going to give him away from cheap. I think the Cavs will try to make a play for him, although it also depends on if they are forced to take back Brian Cardinal's huge deal. Sasha Pavlovic being hurt is a problem with this one, as Memphis supposedly liked him in the past, but he's seriously injured right now. And he played like shit all year.

Andre Miller-Supposedly the Sixers want a ton for Miller, and I don't think the Cavs can put together a good deal for him. I'd like to see him back in Cleveland, but I doubt it happens. Also to get Miller you'd be looking at taking back a substantially shitty player on a big contract. Something like Reggie Evans. Doubt anything happens, although maybe the Sixers will re-evaluate and warm to taking Eric Snow, Ira Newble and a #1 for him. Not holding my breath.

Jason Kidd-Just don't see this one happening, mainly cause his salary is so large that the cavs would have to include a ton of shitty players to make the deal work. Right now the main sweetner young player for any deal is Daniel Gibson, and he's not enough to get a trade done on his own. Don't see this one happening.

Ferry will most likely make a smaller deal over the next couple weeks, hopefully being able to bring in another rotation player that's better than what we have now.

The teams roster is fatally flawed, but they have been playing very good basketball over the past season and a half with a lineup of Hughes/Sasha/LeBron/Gooden/Z. If/when they get back to full strength, they may be able to go on another run this year.

When you have the best player on the world on your team(sorry Kobe), it tends to make up for some lackluster supporting help. Someone will have to step up this year.

[Neuqua]

He is.

Stop it.

[JeeberD]

McGrady and Yao? No way. They are not exactly ripping up the league on their current team right now and McGrady just seems to be a bit fragile. It would have to be a knock me over offer and it would have to be involving some younger stars as well. I just don't see trading the best player in the game unless you absolutely have to.


I thought it would be appropriate to bump this today... :)

[stevew]

I think I'd kill myself if Yao got traded to my favorite team. Just horrible to watch play.