What do you see happening at trade deadline with Cavs? Oden? @JohnPalcisko
The Cavs made their big deal already, so the pressure is off them to get something done at the deadline. They’re still looking and would be open to renting their remaining $4 million in cap space for another draft pick, but I’d suspect they’re done.
Incidentally, they could use the rest of their cap space and still sign Greg Oden to a contract for the remainder of the season for the veteran’s minimum and give him more next year.
Oden’s interest in the Cavs is very real. I’d suspect the Cavs might be more patient with him next season than a team like the Miami Heat, which is in win-now mode and looking for a center. And don’t underestimate the team’s ties to the Cleveland Clinic, which they are using as a big selling point.
What pieces do the Cavs need to get either in free agency or during the draft next year to make the team a playoff team? @faithwalker_98
They need at least one (and perhaps two) big men and an upgrade at small forward. Alonzo Gee is best suited coming off the bench, but the Cavs simply don’t have a better option on the roster right now. If C.J. Miles moves into that role, they have no scoring off the bench.
After three consecutive seasons cut dramatically short with injuries (two of which required surgery), it would be foolish at this point to depend on Anderson Varejao. The only big men in the Cavs’ long-term plans right now are Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller. Mo Speights has provided a huge boost since his arrival, but he isn’t a long-term solution. The Cavs need big men. Desperately.
Have you heard of any interest in Andrea Bargnani? @HLJwpffl
No. He is due $23 million the next two seasons and the Cavs already have enough players who don’t play defense. Bargnani can’t stay healthy and isn’t worth his contract.
If I remember correctly, Dwight Howard never signed an extension. Chances he may consider coming to Cleveland with Kyrie? @arthurschmidtiv
Not happening. I actually wrote about this last season at the All-Star break. The Cavs make a lot of sense and had the assets to acquire him in a trade, but after playing in Orlando and Los Angeles, I don’t think he has any interest spending his winters in Cleveland.
Any idea how Chris Grant is going to get this Cavs team in the playoffs next year in order to entice LeBron James to return? I don’t see it. Too many unproven/young guys and we are looking at another lottery pick. Love to hear your thoughts. @twumber
I actually don’t think the Cavs are as far away from the playoffs as their record indicates. Their biggest problem for two years now has been an inability to defend. They are the worst defensive team in the league and showing no signs of improvement. That absolutely must change next season, or Byron Scott might start feeling pressure from above.
The Cavs are scoring enough to win games in the NBA. Their defense is what is holding them back. If they can improve that — dramatically — they’ll be in the hunt for the playoffs.
