Cavs content to sit tight and not make Trade

[Guest ATENEARS]

With Pavlovic out 4-6 weeks, Cavaliers sending signals they're pulling away from trade rumors

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter

Monday February 09, 2009, 7:46 PM

UPDATED: 11 p.m.

 

 

Lisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer

Wally Szczerbiak's ability to provide nearly 40 minutes of scoring and rebounding over the last three games may make any trade counterproductive for the suddenly injury plagued Cavaliers.

 

CLEVELAND -- There was a point in their long-term planning that the Cavaliers thought the days leading up to next week's trading deadline would be filled with drama and haggling.

It hasn't played out that way.

 

Due to both positive and negative factors, it appears as if this year the team will be passing on the event. Their strong first half plus a series of injuries have limited their options and desires.

 

Monday left the Cavs dealing with another injury as an MRI revealed starting shooting guard Sasha Pavlovic had suffered the worst of all ankle injuries, the high ankle sprain. It will keep him out 4-6 weeks.

 

With Delonte West and Tarence Kinsey out and a roster spot being occupied by Eric Snow, the team is essentially down four guards at the moment. Another, Trey Johnson, is on a 10-day contract.

 

Wally Szczerbiak, once their largest trade chip with his $13 million expiring contract, has now become a vital part of the team. He will start in Pavlovic's place in Indianapolis against the Pacers on Tuesday.

 

Because of all this, the vibe around the rest of the NBA is the Cavs are going to follow through with their plans to stand mostly pat.

 

"They are going to dance with the girl they brought," one general manager said on Monday. "They believe in that roster."

 

This echoes the hints the teams has been dropping for weeks, but the injury situation seems to nearly cement it. They will continue to make calls and they are leaving options open. For example, they have postponed an appointment with a league-approved doctor to evaluate Snow's disability retirement claim just in case they want to use him in a trade.

 

However, with few excess parts and concerns about altering the chemistry, both General Manager Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown are sending out all kinds of signs they do not intend to make a major deal and likely none at all.

 

 

Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer

Sources around the NBA suggest the Cavaliers are more likely to patiently wait for the return of Delonte West and trust in the current roster than look for a quick fix at the trade deadline.When it came to the topic of picking up another big man, which was highlighted against the Lakers on Sunday, Brown listed reasons why the Cavs would not go in that direction.

"There's only so many minutes for our big guys," Brown said. "If we had another big in here, it would be hard for me to consistently divvy up the minutes especially if you throw LeBron in that mix."

 

As for the injury outlook, West took part in practice on Monday, but did it with a brace on his right wrist and will not be back until next week at the earliest. The team is considering keeping him out for another two weeks. Kinsey, also dealing with bum right ankle, took part in the workout as well but won't be seen in a game until after the All-Star break, either.

 

"We've just got to keep on keeping on; we've just got to find a way to get it done," Brown said. "We think we're deep and it's going to continue to have to show."

 

The test will mostly fall on Szczerbiak's shoulders. He is going to have to continue to log major minutes playing with both the starting unit and the small lineup as a forward. Over the last three games in which Pavlovic was able to play just 12 total minutes -- with the flu causing him to miss two games -- Szczerbiak has averaged 39 minutes.

 

"I've been working at both areas and I'm comfortable with the rotations and that's important," Szczerbiak said. "On this team, you don't want to be the guy who's not where he should be. Mentally you just have to prepare yourself and physically you have to fight through it."

 

[Guest ATENEARS]

Hickson's lesson: There was plenty of blame to go around after the loss to the Lakers, but a heavy dose went rookie J.J. Hickson's way for his struggles dealing with Lamar Odom. Hickson abandoned blocking him out on several key possessions late in the fourth quarter. It was certainly a tough pill to swallow, but Brown is hoping it will turn into a learning experience.

 

"I thought it was great what he went through," Brown said. "His teammates were upset, he's out there in a game against a good team and the score is tight and he didn't get the job done. They're not the ones who are going to say he's only a rookie. They're going to be mad at him, mad at me some for having a rookie out there and that's OK.

 

"Hey, [they say] 'you're a grown man and you get paid good money and your job is to do this and you better do it.'"

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

I've defended Hickson all season, but the Laker game was my last straw. I'm serious, If I could get my fat ass up and down the court, I could have put my ass on Odom more successfully.

 

How could he keep losing not just the hottest player on the court that afternoon, but how can you not make yourself wide grabbing any rebound at that level? I haven't seen rebounders that far out of position since coaching 7/8th grad basketball a few years back.

 

I'm pissed ... I'm not happy to sit tight without a trade and I'm not happy with the infatuation over Hickson.

[CIMO.]

Agreed. Somehow, I think this two-year window before 2010 is being overlooked by a lot of people. We have a really good team right now, we can beat down 25 other teams pretty easily. But as I've been saying for quite a while...this is still just a pretty average team without LeBron. We have some great role players, most of whom are here just to fit around LeBron, but when we have to go up against the other elite teams, who are better up front, with better supporting casts, and better coaching (well, maybe not Doc Rivers), I'm scared to just ride it out with this team. If we can trade our "upside" guys like Hickson (who, I'm with Ate, not a big fan) with Varejao (probably our most valued player outside of LeBron and Mo) and draft picks....with the expirings to match salaries....and get a true, great player in return? You have to do it.

 

Our team always looks good until you actually compare it to the teams we're playing against. We have LeBron and Mo, who make us elite. But we don't have the third piece (Ray Allen, Ginobili, Rashard Lewis, etc), we don't have the veteran leadership (all of the Spurs, Fisher, etc)....we just have a bunch of players who, if they have a good night, can be pretty effective. I can assure you none of those teams are afraid of Wally Szczerbiak or Sasha Pavlovic. Or even Ilgauskas or West. We need another game changer to truly be contenders.

 

And I don't really want to put all my chips on the summer of 2010...

[GRAVY_insane]

I agree a move of some sort must be made and I wish we could dump Wallace. I do like the idea of a Camby type upgrade as I feel a player of that caliber would make a difference and defensive specialist or not he cant be any worse of a scorer than Wallace.

 

I think with a few small moves we can win it all THIS year. I dont like all the 2010 talk either because what guarantee do we have that we will in fact keep Lebron?!

 

I'd also be all for unloading whatever we need to get somebody like Stoudemire. I can't even begin to imagine what possibilities that would give us. It instantly gives us the Big "3" to rival that of any team in the league!

 

Thats just my 2 cents...and I've been drinking..."big whoop!, wanna fight about it?!"

[Guest ATENEARS]

I cringe when Varejao touches the ball ... I don't like him, he is just too wild and plays too loose. Ben Wallace was contributing much more a month or so back, I'm not sure what his role is anymore except to rack up them slap-back rebounds ... which is gay (grab the damn thing and hammer an elbow into someones face!).

 

Sasha does nothing for me, although Wally is growing on me as of late. I would have Z retire here. Mo is a breath of fresh air. The Hickson experiment is over as far as I'm concerned and I even drank the kool-aid willingly up until last week.

 

Trade away the first round pick, go after it TODAY ... "there is no tomorrow!", "there is no tomorrow!" -Apollo Creed

[Zombo]

I cringe when Varejao touches the ball ... I don't like him, he is just too wild and plays too loose. Ben Wallace was contributing much more a month or so back, I'm not sure what his role is anymore except to rack up them slap-back rebounds ... which is gay (grab the damn thing and hammer an elbow into someones face!).

 

Sasha does nothing for me, although Wally is growing on me as of late. I would have Z retire here. Mo is a breath of fresh air. The Hickson experiment is over as far as I'm concerned and I even drank the kool-aid willingly up until last week.

 

Trade away the first round pick, go after it TODAY ... "there is no tomorrow!", "there is no tomorrow!" -Apollo Creed

 

None of these guys would put a body on Lamar Odom, it was frustrating as hell. Hickson looked lost and Wallace and Varajao are absolute offensive liabilities, we are playing a 4-man offense when either of them is out there. Z is what he is, and he's good at being that guy, but we need a bruiser inside that has a little game. With this current lineup we MAY get past Boston, but if we get the Lakers in the Finals with Gasol and Odom, we are dead, they will own us.

 

Zombo

[Guest Masters]

All I can say is 39-10 and 1st in the East.

 

Relax. CLE didn't get there by accident and did most of it with the rotation in flux from injuries.

[admin]

All I can say is 39-10 and 1st in the East.

 

Relax. CLE didn't get there by accident and did most of it with the rotation in flux from injuries.

 

And I will counter that with illustrating that they are 1-4 against Boston, Orlando & the Lakers so far this season, the three teams they will have to get passed in order to make this season a success.

[Guest Masters]

And I will counter that with illustrating that they are 1-4 against Boston, Orlando & the Lakers so far this season, the three teams they will have to get passed in order to make this season a success.

 

And the Cavs have beat teams that have in turn beat all 3 of those teams. So what does that then say? Not to mention they have only played ORL once.

 

It's the regular season. All it means is playoff seeding. Right now, CLE has home field to the playoffs. One loss at home so far (did anyone truly believe they wouldn't lose one at home?).

[CIMO.]

I was relaxed back when I was sure, at the very least, Wally would be swapped for a better all-around player. I was pretty relaxed up until I'd heard that Camby and Stoudemire were on the blocks. If we actually pass up a chance on Amare Stoudemire because of "chemistry" I might lose it. I'm not asking Danny Ferry to be the NBA's Jerry Jones, saying chemistry doesn't matter, but Amare is not Pacman Jones or Terrell Owens. Besides Dwight, I don't think there's any big man I'd take over Amare. Maybe Duncan, but he comes with the age.

 

If we decide to pass on Camby (elite NBA player) to keep Wally (8th or 9th man on a good team)...I just don't see the logic. Throw in some draft picks. Play for a title in 2009 and 2010, that's when we can start worrying building the REAL dynasty for the next 5-10 years, with or without LeBron.

 

The Lakers didn't stand pat last year. The Celtics didn't stand pat. I think people are still living in 2006 when LeBron and a bunch of scrubs could get to the Finals without much trouble. The teams are better now. One superstar and a pretty good supporting cast isn't going to do it.

 

We need a proven 6th man (not 8th or 9th like Wally, Sasha, etc), and a proven frontcourt player at least to be true contenders. If we can steal an Amare or Camby, you have to pull out the stops.

[Guest Masters]

I was relaxed back when I was sure, at the very least, Wally would be swapped for a better all-around player. I was pretty relaxed up until I'd heard that Camby and Stoudemire were on the blocks. If we actually pass up a chance on Amare Stoudemire because of "chemistry" I might lose it. I'm not asking Danny Ferry to be the NBA's Jerry Jones, saying chemistry doesn't matter, but Amare is not Pacman Jones or Terrell Owens. Besides Dwight, I don't think there's any big man I'd take over Amare. Maybe Duncan, but he comes with the age.

 

If we decide to pass on Camby (elite NBA player) to keep Wally (8th or 9th man on a good team)...I just don't see the logic. Throw in some draft picks. Play for a title in 2009 and 2010, that's when we can start worrying building the REAL dynasty for the next 5-10 years, with or without LeBron.

 

The Lakers didn't stand pat last year. The Celtics didn't stand pat. I think people are still living in 2006 when LeBron and a bunch of scrubs could get to the Finals without much trouble. The teams are better now. One superstar and a pretty good supporting cast isn't going to do it.

 

We need a proven 6th man (not 8th or 9th like Wally, Sasha, etc), and a proven frontcourt player at least to be true contenders. If we can steal an Amare or Camby, you have to pull out the stops.

 

Have you been watching Wally this season at all, or even just on Sunday? He is a 6th man on a lot of teams in the NBA. He was a starter when CLE got him and has been every where he played. He didn't suddenly lose it. Not yet any way.

 

Getting Amare or Camby would be nice, but if CLE throws Wally at it, they just made them selves thin at the SG and SF position. While having West and Sasha sidelined.