The trade rumors started over the weekend while the NBA celebrated its All-Star weekend in Dallas. The trade deadline takes place this Thursday, and the Cavaliers are certainly in the mix.
The latest scuttlebutt has Cleveland talking to Phoenix about C/F Amare Stoudemire, who started for the West in the all-star clash. In return, the Cavs would give the Suns F J.J. Hickson and C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who by all accounts would be released by Phoenix, and would re-sign with the wine and gold in 30 days.
The question is does this deal make the Cavaliers significantly better? That’s up for debate.
Stoudemire does not come here with the thirst for a title that an Antawn Jamison would show up with. Stoudemire is a free agent at the end of this season, and he wants to be paid. That alone may ruin the chemistry the Cavs have built up.
Understand that the pressure would be on LeBron James to make this work. However, the big man from Phoenix is not the “stretch” forward most critics of the wine and gold have said they needed.
He’s also not a plus defender, and that’s the hallmark of this organization. He’s weak against the pick and roll, something that still plagues the Cavs defensively, especially when Shaquille O’Neal is on the floor.
It’s also likely that the new man wouldn’t be on the floor at the end of games. Mike Brown likes Anderson Varajao on the court for his defensive prowess in the fourth quarter, and it is doubtful that will change. Varajao is an excellent defender, and once again, that’s what the Cavaliers hang their hat on at the end of the day.
On the other hand, Stoudemire and James would become a devastating pick and roll combination offensively. Also, the former would provide the team with another low post threat when they have the ball.
But it’s likely that he would be the third or fourth option on offense with Cleveland behind James, Shaq, and perhaps even Mo Williams, when he returns from his shoulder injury. Could Stoudemire handle being that low in the pecking order?
Stoudemire has also had injury problems, missing a season because of a microfracture in his knee, and he also missed time with a detached retina after getting poked in the eye.
It just seems he isn’t as good a fit as possible on first glance.
There’s no question he doesn’t fit in as well as Jamison, who lends an outside shooting touch from the power forward spot, and isn’t playing for a new contract because he’s signed for next season.
That’s why Danny Ferry gets the big cash. He has to make the ultimate decision on this deal.
Amare Stoudemire has the biggest name involved in deals the Cavaliers are attached to. However, that doesn’t mean he’s the best fit.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 