No Allen, No Redd....No AD?

[Warthog]

I think the Cavs traded for this guy as a ploy. Z and this Andriuskevicius are both Lithuanian. Bringing in Andrwerasdfalk;oi may help them in convincing Z to stay in Cleveland.

Then, there is Sarunas Jasikevicius (name is pronounced YES-THE-CABBAGE-IS ) a 29-year-old point guard who played at Maryland from 1994-98. He's 6-foot-4 and has been the star of the Maccabi Tel Aviv team, which has won the past two European championships. Oh, and he is Lithuanian. I think the Cavaliers prefer him over AD because yesthecabbageis is a scorer. I think they are using some leverage to try to get Z and yesthecabbageis to stay/come to Cleveland.

[basketballcontact]

The "Duke" Dan Davis just reported on ESPN Radio that the Cavs have made an offer to restricted free-agent Larry Hughes.

[Falconfreak90]

Redd must have chased all the $$$. The Bucks were 30-52 last year. The Cavs are heading up. When it comes to $94 Mill or $72 Mill....is there REALLY a difference??

I don't get it. I know people wanna make as much jack as possible....but this kind of thing I don't get. Hopefully the Cavs will get a solid FA. Get Antonio!!!

The Cavs are headed up? How so? They were in the playoffs and than blwe up and fell apart.

Yes...and they also fired the coach halfway thru the season. They improved from 17 to 34 to 42 wins not giving much help to LeBron. They have an owner that will spend the $$$...even if he is bit of a goof.
They are closer to the playoffs than the Bucks...by a mile.

[OptionQB]

Chad Ford is reporting it's a done deal between Larry Hughes and the Cavs. I agree with the Hammer in that Hughes is a much better all-around player than Redd.

5 years $65-70M is the report on ESPN. $2-7M cheaper than what Redd's 5 year/$72M offer was. Hughes' may be the same though.

If Hughes comes in at $65M, that will be an average of $13 per, with a starting salary this year of around $9-10M.

Z was offered 3 years for around $9-10M and that would give the Cavs $16M remaining AFTER Hughes and Z if both reports are correct and Z does sign.

I still think Z should be shopped for a sign and trade . . . (Michael Finley, anyone?)

LeBron is said to be pushing for Eddy Curry or Stromile Swift in the frontcourt as well.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

it may be a done deal, but I believe that hughes is a restrcited free agent which means the the Wiz could still match the offer. I'm not exactly sure how the NBA works contractually but I think this is the case.

[hammb]

it may be a done deal, but I believe that hughes is a restrcited free agent which means the the Wiz could still match the offer. I'm not exactly sure how the NBA works contractually but I think this is the case.

I think you're right. On the ESPN Radio report I heard they said it is believed the Wizards will not match this offer sheet. Their original offer to Hughes was about 6-8 per I believe.

I tell ya what, all heart problems aside, it wouldn't shock me if Curry ends up being this season's Germaine O'Neal. The kid is just now starting to break out a little bit, but he's only 3 years removed from HS. Wouldn't shock me if he becomes a star in this league. I'm not a real big Z fan, because he gives nothing on the defensive end. I would prefer to see the Cavs sign & trade him or ditch him altogether.

FWIW, the rumor mill has also been rather hot on the Cleveland sports boards that they are going to try to ditch Gooden for a more dirty-work like PF. I actually heard Boozer's name tossed around Not sure if they'll find a suitor for Gooden, but something to keep your eyes on. I don't think Ferry was real enamored with a guy who only defends/rebounds when he wants to, and his entire offensive game is while facing the bucket. I think they'd rather get a genuine post presence in that spot.

[Germainfitch1]

Redd must have chased all the $$$. The Bucks were 30-52 last year. The Cavs are heading up. When it comes to $94 Mill or $72 Mill....is there REALLY a difference??

I don't get it. I know people wanna make as much jack as possible....but this kind of thing I don't get. Hopefully the Cavs will get a solid FA. Get Antonio!!!

The Cavs are headed up? How so? They were in the playoffs and than blwe up and fell apart.

Yes...and they also fired the coach halfway thru the season. They improved from 17 to 34 to 42 wins not giving much help to LeBron. They have an owner that will spend the $$$...even if he is bit of a goof.
They are closer to the playoffs than the Bucks...by a mile.

Don't forget the Bucks add TJ Ford this year.....Compare
Ford-? Bucks
Redd-Now Hughes- Bucks
Mason-Bron Cavs
Smith-Gooden Bucks
Bogut-Z Cavs but Z is a FA

What exactly do the cavs have to count on besides Hughes for the future? Bron could be gone next year. Everyione else is not a building block is injured or may leave through FA, sooner or later. The Bucks can have a great inside outside game with Bogut and Redd. If they get Ford back healthy their is another dangerous/slasher/scorer and Mason and Smith are a great do the little thigns guys.

Right now If I could be the Bucks or Cavs it would be the Bucks without question.

and besides...I am a Bulls fan. So I don't have to choose one of those also ran lottery teams.

The cavs are built like a house of cards

[San Diego Falcon]

Some misinformation in this thread:

1) Hughes is unrestricted. Bucks can't match.

2) LeBron is locked up for at least 2 years. Cavs have the one-year option after next year is over.

[BleedOrange]

With the Cav's signing of Hughes, they will place higher emphasis on shooting for the other guards that they pursue. This, coupled with the fact the Eric Snow is likely to stay, strongly suggests that AD won't be a candidate to become a Cav.

[Falconboy]

If they have any smarts whatsoever will sign AD pronto. Good defensive and athletic pg's are hard to come by and Cleveland would do itself a major favor by offering AD a concract before its too late. Snow is not the future for the Cavs , he's just a pretty decent backup pg thats all.

[BGALUMNI]

AD at the point, Hughes at the 2, and LeBron at the 3.

That would make the Cavaliers a great defensive team.

Agree with your points about Hughes, but he scares me. The guy has been in the league seven years already. Why did he finally have a breakout year? Was it because it was a contract year or has he finally figured it all out? I hope it is the second, especially if he does sign with the Cavaliers.

Hopefully getting Hughes a little cheaper then Redd or Allen means they will have a few extra dollars to throw Antonio's way.

He was one of those guys that left college early to join the NBA. He left after his fresh or Soph year. His game just needed to mature.

[Germainfitch1]

add bobby simmons to the Bucks

[Falconfreak90]

Redd must have chased all the $$$. The Bucks were 30-52 last year. The Cavs are heading up. When it comes to $94 Mill or $72 Mill....is there REALLY a difference??

I don't get it. I know people wanna make as much jack as possible....but this kind of thing I don't get. Hopefully the Cavs will get a solid FA. Get Antonio!!!

The Cavs are headed up? How so? They were in the playoffs and than blwe up and fell apart.

Yes...and they also fired the coach halfway thru the season. They improved from 17 to 34 to 42 wins not giving much help to LeBron. They have an owner that will spend the $$$...even if he is bit of a goof.
They are closer to the playoffs than the Bucks...by a mile.

Don't forget the Bucks add TJ Ford this year.....Compare
Ford-? Bucks
Redd-Now Hughes- Bucks
Mason-Bron Cavs
Smith-Gooden Bucks
Bogut-Z Cavs but Z is a FA

What exactly do the cavs have to count on besides Hughes for the future? Bron could be gone next year. Everyione else is not a building block is injured or may leave through FA, sooner or later. The Bucks can have a great inside outside game with Bogut and Redd. If they get Ford back healthy their is another dangerous/slasher/scorer and Mason and Smith are a great do the little thigns guys.

Right now If I could be the Bucks or Cavs it would be the Bucks without question.

and besides...I am a Bulls fan. So I don't have to choose one of those also ran lottery teams.

The cavs are built like a house of cards

Built like a house of cards? We'll see about that in the coming season. And the Bulls aren't far removed from being one of the worst teams in the league. The Cavaliers have more talent than you think. BTW, I can't remember who the Bulls played in the Eastern Conf Playoffs last year...Can ya help me out?

You take Redd over Hughes. Go right ahead. Both averaged 22-23 pts BUT Hughes plays defense, can rebound and is a better overall player. Redd is a better 3 pt shot, no doubt.

Snow or Ford....a case can be made either way. Snow has the experience over Ford...

Z is cleary an advantage over Bogut. LeBron isn't going anywhere for at least 2 more years so get that wishful thinking outta your head. If I'm Dan Gilbert, I give Bron whatever he wants to keep him in Cleveland. Screw David Stern and his wish that Bron was in a big market. This ain't about Stern or the NBA.

Clearly 3 of the starting 5 favors the Cavs.

And the Cavs still have $$$ to spend.

[Germainfitch1]

"Built like a house of cards? We'll see about that in the coming season."
They fell apart last year when they were second in the conference. Fell apart. And they don't have anything to build with. Lebron can make more money just by living in NY or LA.
"And the Bulls aren't far removed from being one of the worst teams in the league."
Yes but they ended up the 4th seed after starting off 0-9. Thats a great rebound. Plus they have young building blocks under contract for years to come.
"The Cavaliers have more talent than you think."
Who? lebron and Hughes and Who
"BTW, I can't remember who the Bulls played in the Eastern Conf Playoffs last year...Can ya help me out?"
Wizards

You take Redd over Hughes. Go right ahead. Both averaged 22-23 pts BUT Hughes plays defense, can rebound and is a better overall player. Redd is a better 3 pt shot, no doubt.
The Cavs wanted Redd over Hughes...only after Redd was off the market did they go after Hughes.

"Snow or Ford....a case can be made either way. Snow has the experience over Ford..."
Snow is falling apart and played sparingly and pissed off the coach. Ford if healthy is more dangerous than Snow ever was.
"Z is cleary an advantage over Bogut." Thats fine but Z is a Free Agent
"LeBron isn't going anywhere for at least 2 more years so get that wishful thinking outta your head. If I'm Dan Gilbert, I give Bron whatever he wants to keep him in Cleveland. Screw David Stern and his wish that Bron was in a big market. This ain't about Stern or the NBA." THe Cavs cant give him the money already signed into his endorsement contracts that says eh gets more just by playing in NY or LA.
"clearly 3 of the starting 5 favors the Cavs." Clearly 2 if they resign Z. 1 if they don't.

[hammb]

THe Cavs cant give him the money already signed into his endorsement contracts that says eh gets more just by playing in NY or LA.

This is media created hype. I don't know if LeBron is gonna bolt or not, but NONE of the people that have been talking about this have actually seen LeBron's endorsement contracts. Until someone actually faxes me a copy of his contract I'm not buying it.

Actually Freak, I think Stern wants LeBron in Cleveland. Having him go to New York or LA just furthers the notion that the league is rigged. Whether it was the doing of tampering or if Nike, etc, got involved either way its bad for the league. Sure it'd be great for the league to have a star like 'bron in a big market, but I'm not sure if that overcomes the further black eye that it would endure.

If LeBron leaves Cleveland at any time you may as well contract the Cavs, because you will NOT get people into the Gund to watch that team any longer. LeBron has been a renaissance for Cleveland hoops, but if he bolts it will be worse than ever before. If the league wants to keep the Cavs as a team, LeBron must stay in Cleveland.