The NBA trading deadline came and went without the Cavaliers making a move. GM Danny Ferry tried as rumors had a number of players heading to Cleveland, including such notables as Shaquille O’Neal, Richard Jefferson, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Marcus Camby. However, in the end, Ferry decided to stand pat with a team that has a 41-11 record.
I think that was the right move.
Although fans have pressed the panic button because the wine and gold lost twice to the Lakers, and overall have gone 1-4 against the other teams in the big four of this NBA season (Lakers, Celtics, and Magic). What I keep coming back to is only one of those games were played with the Cavs having their entire roster, and that was the opening night loss at Boston.
Remember, this team has basically played the last six weeks of this season without one or two starters, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West. They are 24-4 with both Z and West in the lineup. Getting these two players back healthy and in the lineup are far more important than anyone Ferry could have received in a deal.
Some of the players mentioned didn’t make sense. I keep reading that the Cavs were interested in Vince Carter, but I find that very difficult to believe. Carter is not a good defender, isn’t the toughest guy on the planet, and has a contract the runs past 2010, which Danny Ferry is not interested in.
Still, you have to be intrigued with some of the names involved, particularly one of the greatest big men to ever play the game in O’Neal. Shaq would have given Mike Brown the ultimate low post weapon, and he would have been highly motivated to win a fifth ring for his enormous hand.
The perfect fit for the Cavs would have been a guy who is a defensive player with some offensive skills, yet didn’t need the ball to score. Among big men, Camby would have been the perfect fit, while Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace would have been a nice addition at a big guard/small forward spot.
This isn’t the same situation as last season where the Cavs weren’t playing great, and they needed to change things up. This year’s edition of the wine and gold is humming along like a well oiled machine, so getting a player who would have forced a change in the offensive or defensive philosophy would have caused an unnecessary upheaval.
Since Ferry couldn’t get anyone who is a perfect fit, he stood pat. That’s the correct thing to do.
Of course, there are still rumors that Joe Smith will ask for a buyout from Oklahoma City, which will put him on the open market. He would be a good fit as another reverse big man, one with a nice touch from outside. Rumors have him going to Boston to reunite with former Minnesota teammate Kevin Garnett, but The Plain Dealer’s Brian Windhorst reports the Cavs are very much in the mix.
Getting Smith would give Mike Brown a reliable alternative to rookie J.J. Hickson in the playoffs. Hickson will be a good player, but he’s not ready to be a contributor in the playoffs. Also, getting Smith means that Boston doesn’t get him.
As Charles Barkley once said, “if it’s not broke, don’t break it”. That’s the advice Danny Ferry used yesterday. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in quite good shape for the stretch drive.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 