Trade 1:
Cavs get:
Damon Stoudamire
Grizzlies Get:
Damon Jones
Pros: Both guys are unhappy and have asked to be traded or released. Both have almost the exact same contract (2 yrs remaining at about 4.2 million). Memphis can use a good spot up shooter and the Cavs are in dire need of a true PG, who can shoot and run the offense.
Cons: Stoudamire wants to leave Memphis because he isn’t starting and the Grizzlies are developing OSU product, Mike Conley Jr., Damon Jones wants out of Cleveland because he isn’t getting 25 minutes a game. You cannot promise either player that their situation will drastically improve on their new team. The Cavs don’t like little PG’s (It’s why they haven’t signed Earl Boykins), Stoudamire is 5′10 and getting up there in age.
Comment: This trade makes almost too much sense.
Trade 2:
Cavs get:
Vince Carter
Jason Collins
Nets get:
Larry Hughes
Drew Gooden
Pros: Vince Carter is much better than Larry Hughes, and can truly be a Pippen to Lebron’s MJ. If Lebron has an off-night Vince can take over the scoring, and both players can’t be doubled. Jason Collins is signed to pretty bad contract at 6 mil with 2 years remaining, but he is a decent back-up C/PF. Nets are looking to rebuild and pick up a good young PF in Gooden and a solid defensive player in Hughes.
Cons: Carter has 5 years left on his contract, and is sometimes injury prone (although not as bad as Larry Hughes). Carter is one of the most talented players in the league but is known for disappearing in crunch time. Collins is signed to basically the same deal Gooden is, and he isn’t even half as talented, bith contracts expire in 2 years.
Comments: Honestly, the only loss is here is Drew Gooden. I would be ok with the Cavs outright releasing Larry Hughes. This trade is a huge risk though. I hate to lose Gooden, but I fel there won’t be a huge drop-off with Andy taking his spot. The key to the deal is Vince Carter. When Vince plays hard, I challenge anybody to say he is not one of the top 5 players in the league. He has a great outside shot, great athletic ability, is a great finisher at the basket, a good passer, solid defender, and decent rebounder. Having Boobie, VC, Lebron, Andy and Z would cause all kinds of match up problems for other teams. I love this trade and hate it and the same time.
Trade 3:
Cavs Gets:
Mickael Pietrus
Golden State Gets:
Sasha Pavlovic
Pros: Pietrus has a shorter contract (1 year) and is basically the same player. Signing Sasha for 3 years may have been a mistake and this allows us to sign a decent free agent getting 4 million of the books. Pietrus would play better in a more organized (slowed down) offense, and would be a nice player to bring off the bench.
Cons: Sometimes Sasha shows flashes of greatness and he would probably flourish in Golden States offense.
Comments: We make this trade strictly for salary cap reasons.
Trade 4:
Browns Get:
DE Jason Taylor
1st round pick (#1 overall)
Dolphins Get:
QB Derek Anderson
2nd round pick
4th round pick
Pros: We just got Jason Taylor and probably drafted Glen Dorsey. Our defense now rules. Assuming Brady Quinn is as awesome a football player as he is good looking, we can book our tickets to the Superbowl. Dolphins get their franchise QB and an extra pick to continue rebuilding.
Cons: We give up a pretty good QB and if Brady Quinn ends up sucking, then this is bad news. Also a draft pick is never a sure thing, but Jason Taylor is fantastic.
Comments: Yeah I can talk Browns too, it’s my blog! I love this trade for the Browns we immediately get much better in the pass rush and run stopping and that’s before we even go after any free agents.
Discuss!
