So the Cavs are gonna need a power forward who can shoot, right? I mean, in LA, Shaq had Robert Horry knocking down open looks and in Miami he had Udonis Haslem and Antoine Walker spreading the floor. The Cavs have got.... ya...
My pick would be Charlie Villanueva. He's young, he can shoot and he may even want to be here:
It's clear that Villanueva is well aware of the Bucks' difficulties in trying to re-sign him this summer, when he will be a restricted free agent. It's possible the Bucks won't even be able to make a one-year qualifying offer of $4.6 million, which they are required to do by June 30 if they want to retain the right to match offers by other clubs.
Bucks general manager John Hammond has stated the team will not exceed the luxury tax level to re-sign its free agents.
Villanueva was asked what he thought about the possibility of joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are expected to make some lineup changes after being ousted by Orlando in six games in the Eastern Conference finals. The Cavs were bitterly disappointed at falling short of the Finals after posting the best regular-season mark in the NBA with 66 victories.
"I understand the situation Milwaukee is in financially," Villanueva told Coleman. "They don't want to go over the cap or what not (actually the luxury tax level). Whatever team decides to make the best offer, I'm going to think about it.
"Cleveland definitely is not a bad spot. I've played with LeBron. I played with LeBron in the McDonald's All-American Game, and we played well together. Is there a possibility? Yes. Will it happen? Time will tell."
Coleman asked Villanueva if he could be a difference-maker in helping Cleveland reach the NBA Finals.
"I think I would be able to help out a lot," Villanueva said, "just the fact I bring my versatility and create mismatch problems. One of the reasons Orlando is in the Finals is because of Rashard Lewis. They have a legitimate big man (Dwight Howard) that demands attention, and they surround him with guys that can play on the perimeter."
That was pre-trade. Now that the Bucks saved all that money, surely they'll make that qualifying offer, right?
Hmmm... me likey.Before the trade, it was anticipated that the Bucks' most dire needs for next season would be at power forward and point guard, since it appeared likely they would lose restricted free agents Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions.
But the deal, which brought the Bucks some financial flexibility, is casting a different light on that free-agent situation. And, with Jefferson gone, the Bucks are now thin at small forward.
It's still highly unlikely the Bucks will make a $4.6 million qualifying offer to Villanueva, since that would lock them back up in fiscal handcuffs.
And then there's this:
Yes, Charlie. We DO need a power forward. One with range... who's athletic...Just sayin'
4 comments:
I'm torn on CV or Sheed. On one hand, Sheed might be able to impact the Cavs' chances of winning a title next season more than Charlie V. can. And when you get right down to it, winning a title is what is going to make the most convincing case to keep LeBron. Getting a ring would also help save the sanity of a lot of us if LBJ does bolt next summe.
However, the Cavs roster could look like Mo, Delonte, maybe Andy, and a whole bunch of dookie next summer when the contracts of LBJ, Z, Shaq and any other one-year vets come off the books. That's not exactly making a convincing case as to why LBJ should stay put, not when the Nets are amassing some sharp young talent (Harris, Lopez and Lee is great start to building a winner).
CV would at least help build something of a young nucleus around LeBron. But, even with CV, I'm still terrified of what lurks next summer if the Cavs don't win the title next spring.
Next summer, the Cavs will have no center, and Mo will be the best player under contract. They'll have some cap space, but unless they can use it to lure Bosh or Wade here, how are they going to use it to make their case to LeBron -- and do it all before he signs elsewhere?
Remember when we thought that landing Bosh or Wade was the only way the Knicks or Nets were going to lure LeBron? Now, it's looking like that might be the only way the Cavs will be able to keep LeBron. Unless Ferry has something up his sleeve.
Ya, but how much will winning a title with a bunch of dudes in their mid-30s really make LeBron stay?
CV, Mo and LeBron ain't a bad starting point. Then if they can sign Bosh... 2010's starting 5 looks like this:
Mo
Random Swingman
James
CV
Bosh
That ain't bad.
Yes, but everything seems to be predicated on landing Bosh. That really bothers me, because I just don't think that's likely. It's like betting your future on hitting the lottery.
If the Cavs don't land Bosh, what other case can they make to LeBron that he can win titles here? Especially considering that if the Cavs don't win the NBA title next June, LBJ will be about 100 times more frustrated than he is right now?
All I can think is that Ferry could re-sign Shaq for another year or two, try to convince LBJ to ink another short-term deal, and hope that another long-term solution reveals itself. But man is that a roll of the dice.
Well, there's also Amare and Yao. But I get your point.
I just think that I'd rather take the money they'd pay Varejao and give it to CV. (and I still think Mo, LeBron and CV makes for an attractive landing spot for Bosh and co).
Oh, and on the CV twitter front, he says that he's getting mad love from Cleveland fans. and then he links to a video of Milwaukee's last game of the season.
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