The Cleveland Cavaliers made a big splash the day of the NBA draft by picking up Shaquille O’Neal in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. They added another all star to their lineup without giving anything significant in return. Now, the big name free agents are signing all over the league, and seemingly the wine and gold remain idle. Should fans be concerned?
Remember that the Cavs went 66-16 last season, so a major rebuilding project was not needed. The team needed an inside presence both on offense and defense, and that’s why O’Neal was brought in. Adding a big ticket free agent would have brought more big headlines, but it wouldn’t have made a huge difference in the teams’ win-loss record.
So, GM Danny Ferry sat back and waiting for lower priced players who will help the squad with the weaknesses that showed up against Orlando, that is, a big man who can play on the perimeter, and more size in the backcourt. That’s why he went after Anthony Parker, who the team coveted for several years.
Parker is been around for awhille, a veteran of the European league before spending the last few years with the Raptors. He is a solid defender, and at 6-6, gives the backcourt some much needed size. He is also a good threat from beyond the three point arc. Much like Mo Williams, he has been a thorn in the side of the wine and gold for quite some time.
The Cavs also kept Anderson Varajao, keeping the youngest player in the frontcourt rotation for the next six seasons. Varajao has emerged as one of the NBA’s best defensive big men, and he moves without the ball well enough to be the recipient of many a LeBron James pass for easy baskets. With the addition of O’Neal, the wine and gold front court has some age. Keeping Varajao was essential not only for next season, but for the future as well.
So, the only move left for Ferry is getting a "stretch" big man to defend the Rashard Lewis types that play the power forward spot. That spot could go to Channing Frye, a former #1 pick with the Knicks, who has had injury problems the past few years. Remember, the Cavs aren’t getting Frye to play major minutes. He would be a role player, so there isn’t a need to spend big cash.
Also, remember this. At this point last year, the Williams trade hadn’t occurred yet.
Perhaps the most important move remaining for the wine and gold is finding a replacement for assistant coach John Kuester, who appears to be the next head coach of the Detroit Pistons. Coach Mike Brown’s weakness has been offense, and the attack cannot go back to the stagnant one that was run before last season. With James and O’Neal on board, there is definitely pressure to have an efficient offense, one that can go deep into the playoffs, and can succeed against excellent defenses.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 
Anderson Varajeo is a very active big man who knows how to make easy baskets, but 6 years and 50 million dollars is a bit too much for a guy who will probably find himself back on the bench when Danny Ferry acquires Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire next off season…. There are rumors going around about the Cavaliers turning down trade proposals from several teams who wanted Varajeo; I am curious to know what these teams were willing to give up for him:) Hopefully this long term contract will not be one to regret.