I have been hearin rumblings that people want more out of my blog than just posts about the rec bball league...so I am going to try to give you all a little bit of that right now.
I want to give my opinion on what the Cavs and Browns should do in the upcoming off-seasons. The Indians are on a whole different level, there's way too much going on right now...and in all honesty, I would rather see the Cavs and Browns do well, if I had my choice.
I'll work on the Cavs first...
Cleveland Cavs 2012 off-season
2012 Season Moves
If Jamison decides to become a better shooter this year, as hovering around 40% will not do it, you may be able to trade him away to a contender looking for a scorer off the bench. You would have to take on an awful contract as well, seeing as Jamison makes around $14 mil this year. But maybe Atlanta bites, giving to their first rounder/Etan Thomas. The Celtics? Would hurt to give a Division rival a scorer but they could give a first rounder/Nenad Kristic or Jermaine O'Neal. Pacers maybe into the mix for a first/Louis Amundson. There are potential suitors out there and finding a way to add another pick in the draft could play big dividens at the end of the year.
Find a way to retain Alonzo Gee. I debated Semih Erdan here, but I guess I haven't seen enough of him yet to determine if he's worth a shot next year. He's only 27, so he still has plenty of basketball left. Gee on the other hand may get handed the starting SF role here later this season if he continues to play well. He's outplayed Casspi so far, but since we traded Hickson for him, Casspi was basically handed that role. I had better hopes for him and maybe he will improve. But Gee right now is the guy I want next year at that spot.
Sign Sessions long term. If someone puts a over the top deal on the table for Ramon during this season...something you can't pass up, I'd say take it as long as you're getting at least a first rounder and maybe even future picks (the same would go for Andy in this spot, but that deal would have to be absolutely too great to pass up (think first/second/future picks and another, young talent)). But Sessions is easily the best back-up point guard in the league and could start for probably half of the teams in the NBA now...Knick fans are practically drooling over him. Having him behind Irving keeps the offense moving when Kyrie needs a break.
Anthony Parker is either traded or just retires at the end of the season. I could see him being brought back as a coach of some kind in 2013. He's a great locker room and team guy, but his role is limited even more next year.
2012 Draft
After looking at the board a few times and understanding the Cavs will probably be looking at drafting in the top 10 (I know they are off to a great start now, but the schedule gets tougher and a young team will hit speed bumps), there are plenty of options.
Considering the following statements above and we bring back Gee and possibly Erdan the Cavs roster looks like this:
PG - Irving, Sessions, Gibson
SG -
SF - Casspi, Gee, Eyenga
PF - Thompson, Samuels
C - Varejao, Erdan
Sorry Harangody and Hollins, but if the Cavs have at least three draft picks this offseason, I can't see you guys coming back. Maybe Harangody as the 14th or 15th guy, but nothing more.
So let's say the Cavs can give Jamison away for a late first rounder. The Kings pick that we received will probably not be received this year, as the Kings are terrible and the pick is protected if Sacramento in in the draft lottery. The Cavs will ultimately pick in the top 10 as well, even considering their hot start.
I see the Cavs picks as follows:
First Round - 7, 26
Second Round - 35 (JaBron trade), 37
Four picks would be a fantastic thing this year for a Cavs team on the rise. This years draft will be a great one, with a lot of players coming out who held off last year.
#7
This will probably be an interesting pick for the Cavs. SF isn't really a spot the Cavs desperately need as SG would need to be filled immediately. I don't really see the Cavs trading down, unless they are concrete on who they want a little later and get a decent deal at 7. NBA.com has Michael Kidd-Gilchrist going at #7 and I would agree with this pick for the Cavs. It may come down to picking the best player available and someone who can creat their own shot. MKG fits this bill perfectly. As much as I would love Harrison Barnes here, he will most likely be gone well before 7 and even my second choice, Jeremy Lamb from UConn will also be off the board here. Kidd-Gilchrist is a prospect who has been given great grades on character and a willingness to improve. He's also a great defender, which fits into Coach Scott's game plan to a tee.
#26
Wherever the Cavs pick down here is just an added bonus. NBA.com has Mason Plumlee from Duke here and he wouldn't be a terrible pick. The Cavs may need to look for a future Center here or just go after more scoring. Other picks that I would like to see late in the first round incluce UNC PF/C Tyler Zeller (another big body, closer to 7 feet than Plumlee), IUPUI guard Alex Young (scorer, JR Smith-like off the bench), and William Buford from Ohio State who can also fill it up from anywhere on the floor.
#35
With the Heat pick I look to add more depth at Center, especially if we took another shooter late in the first round. Robert Sacre from Gonzaga, Reggie Johnson from Miami, and Henry Sims from Georgetown are all legit centers who will probably be on the board here. Sacre would have to add some strength where as Sims and Johnson would be projects to sit behind Varejao and Erdan to learn from some vets.
#37
This last pick you can always take a flyer on someone or look overseas for some untapped potential. Eyenga was late in the second round and is actually turning some of his potential the past year. Quincy Acy from Baylor, Robbie Hummel from Purdue, JaMychal Green from Alabama, or Augusto Lima from Brazil could all be potential picks in this spot.
The picks at 35 and 37 would most likely be end of the bench guys or even D-leaguer's depending on any free agents the Cavs could bring in.
Free Agent Moves
There is a good list of guys any team would want after the year is over. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Derrick Rose, and Andrew Bynum to name a few. The Cavs list is going to have to be shortened. Top-tier talent wont truly look to come here, even as much as Dan Gilbert would look to pay them.
Side Note: Keep up the GREAT work Mr. Gilbert and Chris Grant. Huge trades last year have put this team years ahead of the Browns and Indians
Some names that may be off your radar's out there include these guys:
DJ White, Omar Asik - Both big men have improved a lot over the past year. DJ White slipped into the Bobcats starting role while Tyrus Thomas was hurt and played well beyond his means. He's averaging around 10 points and 7 rebounds in about 25 minutes a night. Asik is 25 years old and a legit 7-footer. Last season in only 12 minutes a game Asik grabbed around 4 rebounds. You can't truly just double stats if you double his minutes. But even at 20 minutes a night, Asik would be good for 6-8 rebounds and over 55% shooting from the floor. Asik minutes have increased this season to around 18 and his totals have improved to around 6 boards and over a block a game.
Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph - With the Wolves looking to lock up Kevin Love long term and now the emergence of Rubio and the draft of Derrick Williams last year, either both or one of these two lengthy forwards will likely be a free agent. Beasley has bounced around a bit and could be a bit of a head case. But maybe another change of scenery, a starting spot or sixth-man role and an ability to run the floor could make him a good fit. Randolph also plays above the rim and blocks shots. Both are young, mid-20's and play enough defense to please Scott on that end.
Other notable FA's - Bill Walker, CJ Miles, Jodie Meeks, and OJ Mayo
If all went to how I would work it. The Cavs would sign Asik and Mayo. I would love Randolph, but with Thompson and Samuels there, I don't see a need at the PF spot. Beasley would also create a jam at SF and could potentially leave less time for MKG at the 3.
Here's a look at how the roster would break down for the 2012-2013 season.
PG - Irving, Sessions, Gibson
SG - Mayo, Alex Young
SF - Gee, Casspi, MKG
PF - Thompson, Samuels
C - Varejao, Asik
13-15 and D-league
Erdan, Eyenga, Pick 35 and 37
This roster leaves us a little short, but if Mayo isn't signed, Erdan or one of the big's picked in the 2nd round easily fill out the roster and give us a 5th big man. Picking Zeller or Plumlee late in the first round instead of Young also gives us that depth.
Big Move in 2013
Without really looking at the 2013 draft, the big acquistion I look for in 2013 is James Harden. The Thunder will have big money locked up in KD, Westbrook, Ibaka and Perkins. Someone will have to be the odd man out. With Gibson's contract expiring and Casspi off the books, thatwould leave the Cavs more space to sign a big name talent. Harden immediately solidifies the SG spot. Having him run the floor with Irving, Thompson, and MKG the Cavs would have a extremely young, yet experienced starting 5. A playoff run in 2013 is easily expected if Harden is added. The Cavs would have four roster spots filled for years to come.
I'm not saying this would be the perfect outcome for the Cavs. Things can change. The Cavs could actually compete at around .500 all year and potentially pick later in the first round. Maybe the Kings turn it around and the Cavs end up with 3 picks in round one and five total. Maye Varejao, Sessions, and Jamison are all gone by the end of the year. But if this is how the Cavs looked to end 2012 and to start 2013, I wouldn't be upset at all. The core seems to be coming together. Irving and Thompson will be cornerstones, now they just need to find another scorer and add depth and you could be looking at the Cavs being back in the playoff picture as early as 2013.
Brown's options later...
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