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By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 02:56 p.m. EDT, Jun 30, 2009
CLEVELAND: Right now, consider the Cavaliers a little boy with a limited amount of cash shopping at the local Game Stop looking for a copy of Call of Duty. They want it, but can't have it because it costs too much.
That's not for lack of will, however. When Cavs owner Dan Gilbert says that he has no problem spending to win a championship, there is every reason to believe him. However, right now the team is constrained by NBA rules and having 12 players, including Shaquille O'Neal, under contract.
The Cavs have the league's mid-level exception, which is worth $5.8 million, and the bi-annual exception (worth $2 million). That limits their options in a free-agent market, which opens at midnight. Teams like Detroit, a Pistons team that finds itself in rebuilding mode, and Oklahoma City, a Thunder organization looking to add to promising young talent, will be setting the tone.
Where's that leave the Cavs? With intriguing options, especially after Monday as the Milwaukee Bucks declined to extend a qualifying offer of $4.6 million to power forward Charlie Villanueva and ditto for the Portland Trail Blazers, who passed on retaining the services of power forward Channing Frye.
How does this balance with the Cavs' needs? Power forward is at the top of their wish list along with a taller, athletic guard.
Whatever they end up doing, it's clear that they won't be in the mix for top-tier talent this summer. Reality and a bumper crop of free agents next year dictates that. In the meantime, who can they realistically cast an eye on given their restraints?
In their sights
• Charlie Villanueva (power forward, 6-foot-11, 238 pounds): He enjoyed his best season as a pro this year, averaging 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He can post up but is known primarily as a perimeter player. The primary knock on him is his suspect defense. Ask Cavs coach Mike Brown, however, and he'll tell you that it only takes desire to play defense.
• Antonio McDyess (power forward, 6-9, 245): Despite being in his 12th year, McDyess was still one of the most consistent players in the NBA, and he really showed his value after being inserted into the starting lineup in the second half of the season in Detroit. In 30 games in that role, he averaged 12.1 points and 11 rebounds. It's no secret the Cavs would have loved to have had him after he refused to report to Denver after a trade that sent him and Chauncey Billups to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson.
• Rasheed Wallace (power forward, 6-11, 230): 'Sheed, as he's known around the league, is definitely entering the twilight of his career, but that doesn't mean the 13-year veteran has nothing left; his performance in the playoffs notwithstanding. He averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and can still hit the 3-pointer.
Worth a look
• Ronald ''Flip'' Murray (guard, 6-3, 200): As an option off the bench, Murray, who averaged 12 points in that role last season, fits the bill. Murray played well with the Cavs earlier in his career. Problem is, the Atlanta Hawks want him back, according to a league source, and he would like to be back there.
• Jason Kidd (guard, 6-4, 210): Even after 14 years in the league, Kidd averaged nine points, 8.7 assists and 6.2 rebounds. He would look good coming off the bench — steady hand, a leader and works well with LeBron — but the Mavericks need him and will probably outbid, and overpay, to keep him.
• Trevor Ariza (forward, 6-8, 210): Ariza averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds during the regular season, but it's what he did in the playoffs for the Lakers that made his stock soar. The Lakers want him back. According to reports, he wants to be back. Sounds like a long shot.
• Channing Frye (power forward, 6-11, 245): Frye averaged more than 12 his rookie season showing tons of potential. Since then, it seems as if he got lost behind LaMarcus Aldridge on the Portland Trail Blazers' bench.
• Grant Hill (forward, 6-8, 225): Even at 37, he doesn't have a lot of mileage on his legs due to missed time with injuries. He wants to play for a contender, and with the Phoenix Suns firmly in salary dumping mode, that wouldn't be them.
• Joe Smith (forward, 6-10, 225): He likes the Cavs. The Cavs like him. He can add depth to the bench and mentor young big men such as J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
CLEVELAND: Right now, consider the Cavaliers a little boy with a limited amount of cash shopping at the local Game Stop looking for a copy of Call of Duty. They want it, but can't have it because it costs too much.
That's not for lack of will, however. When Cavs owner Dan Gilbert says that he has no problem spending to win a championship, there is every reason to believe him. However, right now the team is constrained by NBA rules and having 12 players, including Shaquille O'Neal, under contract.
The Cavs have the league's mid-level exception, which is worth $5.8 million, and the bi-annual exception (worth $2 million). That limits their options in a free-agent market, which opens at midnight. Teams like Detroit, a Pistons team that finds itself in rebuilding mode, and Oklahoma City, a Thunder organization looking to add to promising young talent, will be setting the tone.
Where's that leave the Cavs? With intriguing options, especially after Monday as the Milwaukee Bucks declined to extend a qualifying offer of $4.6 million to power forward Charlie Villanueva and ditto for the Portland Trail Blazers, who passed on retaining the services of power forward Channing Frye.
How does this balance with the Cavs' needs? Power forward is at the top of their wish list along with a taller, athletic guard.
Whatever they end up doing, it's clear that they won't be in the mix for top-tier talent this summer. Reality and a bumper crop of free agents next year dictates that. In the meantime, who can they realistically cast an eye on given their restraints?
In their sights
• Charlie Villanueva (power forward, 6-foot-11, 238 pounds): He enjoyed his best season as a pro this year, averaging 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He can post up but is known primarily as a perimeter player. The primary knock on him is his suspect defense. Ask Cavs coach Mike Brown, however, and he'll tell you that it only takes desire to play defense.
• Antonio McDyess (power forward, 6-9, 245): Despite being in his 12th year, McDyess was still one of the most consistent players in the NBA, and he really showed his value after being inserted into the starting lineup in the second half of the season in Detroit. In 30 games in that role, he averaged 12.1 points and 11 rebounds. It's no secret the Cavs would have loved to have had him after he refused to report to Denver after a trade that sent him and Chauncey Billups to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson.
• Rasheed Wallace (power forward, 6-11, 230): 'Sheed, as he's known around the league, is definitely entering the twilight of his career, but that doesn't mean the 13-year veteran has nothing left; his performance in the playoffs notwithstanding. He averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and can still hit the 3-pointer.
Worth a look
• Ronald ''Flip'' Murray (guard, 6-3, 200): As an option off the bench, Murray, who averaged 12 points in that role last season, fits the bill. Murray played well with the Cavs earlier in his career. Problem is, the Atlanta Hawks want him back, according to a league source, and he would like to be back there.
• Jason Kidd (guard, 6-4, 210): Even after 14 years in the league, Kidd averaged nine points, 8.7 assists and 6.2 rebounds. He would look good coming off the bench — steady hand, a leader and works well with LeBron — but the Mavericks need him and will probably outbid, and overpay, to keep him.
• Trevor Ariza (forward, 6-8, 210): Ariza averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds during the regular season, but it's what he did in the playoffs for the Lakers that made his stock soar. The Lakers want him back. According to reports, he wants to be back. Sounds like a long shot.
• Channing Frye (power forward, 6-11, 245): Frye averaged more than 12 his rookie season showing tons of potential. Since then, it seems as if he got lost behind LaMarcus Aldridge on the Portland Trail Blazers' bench.
• Grant Hill (forward, 6-8, 225): Even at 37, he doesn't have a lot of mileage on his legs due to missed time with injuries. He wants to play for a contender, and with the Phoenix Suns firmly in salary dumping mode, that wouldn't be them.
• Joe Smith (forward, 6-10, 225): He likes the Cavs. The Cavs like him. He can add depth to the bench and mentor young big men such as J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 03:41 PM, 06/30/2009
gee, i hope after obama wrecks our country, we have some money left to buy over priced tickets to the Q to watch the cavs blow another season
Canton, OH
Posted 03:56 PM, 06/30/2009
" C'Mon, Cavs, GOTTA MAKE IT HAPPEN ". . . .
Walnut Creek, Oh
Posted 04:29 PM, 06/30/2009
What,,,didn't you like my comment about Obama??
atlanta, ga
Posted 05:00 PM, 06/30/2009
very childish (bass43player) where did you get that one from? the back of the cereal box? the cavs will not land in clev-land you guys do not have enough money to pick him up. Let him go to DEE-TROIT! Stand UP
Pistons-fan-fo-life!
Posted 05:03 PM, 06/30/2009
@bass43playerI heard Obama wants to make people with luxury seats pay a special tax to have them. Don't know if it's true, but wouldn't surprise me. This guy should never have been elected. Hey all you blacks who voted for him because he is your 'brother',,, how do you like all the taxes he is putting on you. (Oh I forgot, most of you who voted for him are on welfare and don't pay any taxed anyway.)
Are you really that ignorant that you would say such stupid things? just in case you are let me fill you in on two facts: #1 It took more than blacks to elect Obama in office. #2 Not all blacks are on welfare!
Akron, OH
Posted 05:04 PM, 06/30/2009
wtf bass43...are you serious? walnut creek, OH??? Go crawl back under the rock from whence you came...
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 05:27 PM, 06/30/2009
i guess the blame is never the voters, just the people they elect---the problem with this country has always been the sour grapes voting class of which the poster is one of them, and the thieves and dishonest men they keep putting in office
akron, oh
Posted 05:41 PM, 06/30/2009
Wow even in 2009 there is still such ignorance in the world. Another fact there are more white people on the walfare roles than blacks because the are more withe people period. But new flash my friend WE HAVE OVERCOME we want the same thing out of life that white people want excluding you my friend you probley have a spot right there in the projects
akron, oh
Posted 05:43 PM, 06/30/2009
thats for you bass43 player
Posted 07:44 PM, 06/30/2009
Just heard Varejo filed for free agency. What a disappointment. He may still sign with the Cavs but it sure would be nice, with all their vaunted team chemistry, if a guy like Anderson would say he wants to win a championship more than make more money. I am not opposed to letting Varajo go if we can use what we would pay him to pick up a PF and a SG/defender. They haven't won a championship with Anderson so he is expendable.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:28 PM, 06/30/2009
MY apologies Me and MY 3 I meant that comment was for Bass43Player. My apologies again. I should have made sure I had the right person.
Posted 03:23 AM, 07/01/2009
Wallace or McDyess would be a more polished player, a superior player for the Cavaliers.
Channing Frye out of Arizona would be a dark horse. He's long, but thin; definitely a 4, not a 5. However, he was well schooled in fundamentals by Lute Olson in college. Channing could match up with the long Orlando forwards, e.g.
As he showed with the Knicks, he can score some in the NBA. Also, he is a very deft passer from the high post, and would work well with Shaq, LeBron and the guards.
Let me tell you something, Channing Frye is a smarter, more complete ball player than Anderson Varejao right now. I imagine Frye will rejoin teammate Richard Jefferson in San Antonio, and be one of Popovich's superb complementary players.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:06 AM, 07/01/2009
don't know what the Cavs will do but they will spend money - unlike the debacle across the street from them.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:45 AM, 07/01/2009
Big secret news conference set by LBJ for Monday at St V's. Any guesses on what the topic is?
Fredricksburg, VA
Posted 11:27 AM, 07/01/2009
No doubt, its McDyess. When we laid that 4 game sweep spanking on Detroit, McDyess was the only big man that showed effort. Rasheed, said the hell with the season, let the minutes tick off. McDyess was the first name I thought about a few weeks back. He only made 600,000 this season. But the effort he gives is truly 3 mill.
AK, Oh
Posted 11:47 AM, 07/01/2009
Shop until you drop.. Cavs wont win it all. Brown needs to run a different offense.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:53 PM, 07/01/2009
amazing how someone can use a conversation about the cavaliers to inject racist drivel about blacks and obama. regardless of ones political affiliation, no one should ever tolerate the kind of outright biggotry and ignorance as perpetrated by people like bass43. shame that racists like that still exist in the world
Cleveland, OH
Posted 01:09 PM, 07/01/2009
Gee, I hope after Obama wrecks our country that you don't have enough money to but Cavs tickets so someone who really believes in the team can see them.
loganville, GA
Posted 12:18 AM, 07/02/2009
NOTICE TO ALL POTENTIAL NBA FREE AGENT'S! WE WONCHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT FAN'S ARE RIGHT HERE!!!!!!!!!! WE AIN'T NEVER WON 1!! THIS WILL BE HISTORY!!!!!! AND YOU NO YOU GETTING THE BALL!!!! WE WELCOME YOU!!!
