Ferry GM stuff

Bud Shaw has a nice column: Judge Ferry on His Trades.

And Terry Pluto give Ferry some advice.

I agree with Shaw, if you STILL got beef with the Harper-Ferry trade, give Wayne Embry a call. Ferry handled it well while he was here. He never complained (and he could've).

Most of Pluto's advice I agree with, re-sign Z, look to get a rebounding power forward (a Boozer type). Get a shooting guard. But again, Pluto looks at Larry Hughes.

5. LOOK HARD AT LARRY HUGHES: There are four premier free-agent shooting guards. Ray Allen heads the list, but he's expected to stay with the Seattle SuperSonics. He also is the least likely of the four to mesh with James.

I love Joe Johnson, who averaged 19 points and shot better than 50 percent from the field and 3-point range in the playoffs. But he's a restricted free agent, meaning the Phoenix Suns can match any offer he receives. It's hard to imagine them letting him go.

I prefer Hughes to Redd, because Hughes is a much better ballhandler, rebounder and defender. He also scored 22 points a game for the Washington Wizards, along with 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He'd bring some grit to a very soft team.

Redd is a superior outside shooter, and certainly, there is no reason to mourn if the Cavaliers come out of free agency with Redd.

And I agree, Allen will be too expensive and may not mesh with James. And I think the Cavs chances of signing Joe Johnson diminished greatly since the Suns traded Richardson. However, Pluto just brushes over Hughes poor shooting. It's not Redd is a better shooter than Hughes, but Ira Newble is!

If you watched any Cavalier games this year, you know Newble can't shoot worth a damn. Other teams left him open, daring him to shoot. So Pluto wants the Cavs to lay down a big chunk of money on Hughes? Lets compare stats.

Newble: FG% - .429 3PT FG% - .358
Hughes: FG% - .430 3PT FG% - .282

And why not, here's another terrible shooter, Eric Snow's stats:

Snow: FG% - .382 3PT FG% - .289

Is Hughes a better player than Newble and Snow? Yes, but that's not the point. The point is the Cavs need players who can shoot the 3 more than Rob Schneider needs Adam Sandler to keep making movies. Hughes more of a slashing player and the Cavs need someone who can hit open shots. Especially 3s. If they are going to spend a ton of money on a shooting guard, my hope would be that he shoots the 3 better than Eric Snow and Ira Newble. I don't think that's too much to ask.

I would rate the SG in this order (Allen is lower because of his age and money demands):
1. Johnson
2. Redd
3. Allen
4. Hughes

Johnson would be ideal, and if they overpay for him (and I think they are going to have to overpay to get anyone of these guys), the Suns may not be able to match because of the contracts of Nash and Marion, plus Stoudamire's coming up (keep Amare over Joe).

If I were the Cavs I would take a look at Kwame Brown, who the Wizards just made a restricted FA. He needs a change of scenery and I think the Cavs can afford to take a chance with him. Hell, even do a sign and trade with Gooden (if Brown flops, use Andesron to start). Also, talk to Tractor, it would be a shame to let him go.