Cavaliers News

King's knight and jester
"He arrived without a nickname but with a motto. ''Win a ring for the King,'' Shaquille O'Neal said Thursday of his mantra now that he has been traded to the Cavaliers. Have to admit, it has a certain ring to it, what with O'Neal joining LeBron James on the same team. Resplendent in a suit, pink shirt and pink tie, O'Neal was a little more serious than expected at his introductory news conference, but still provided occasional humor. He even included a taste of humility when he said he did not consider himself a superstar. As for his role with the Cavs, he said succinctly: ''I'm in the security business. I'm here to protect the King.'' The King is James, of course. But O'Neal might take the ..."
Nicknames and climate aside, Shaquille O'Neal looks to deliver for the Cavaliers -- Bill Livingston column
"Even before the greeting card, which was super-sized beyond any hamburger chains dreams and was signed by Cavaliers employees, the team gave Shaquille O'Neal a Cleveland moment at his introductory news conference Thursday. Owner Dan Gilbert, wearing a tie, meaning this was serious stuff, handed the 7-foot-1, 320-ish pound veteran center a pair of wine and gold Cavs galoshes with the toes cut out. You know, for growing room. Next came a snow shovel. O'Neal himself, asked for a nickname to follow such self-bestowed monickers as the Big Aristotle, the Big Cactus (in Phoenix), the Big Shaqtus, the Big Galactus, and the immortal Wilt Chamberneezy, embraced the local weather drawbacks with the ..."
Trevor Ariza talks with Rockets
"The Trevor Ariza NBA tour has officially begun. The Lakers' free-agent forward is meeting today in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey and Coach Rick Adelman, according to Ariza's agent. "They both flew in to meet him," agent David Lee said. Ariza has also had a discussion with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James about joining the Cavaliers."
Shaquille O'Neal hints that his fun with the Cleveland Cavaliers could last beyond the 2009-10 season
"There was some laughter and fun this afternoon at Shaquille O'Neal's official introduction to Cleveland. With Shaq, there always is. But there was also plenty of business. Wearing a black suit with a pink shirt and pink tie, O'Neal wanted to make two points as he spoke to media, team personnel, children from St. Martin DePorres school and season ticket and suite holders. One was his intention to help the Cavaliers and his friend LeBron James win a championship next season. The other is he's still hoping to land a two-year contract extension. He made both points with his brand of humor with firmness. "My motto is simple," O'Neal said. "Win a Ring for the King." Then -- after showing a ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly make a play for Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza
"Two players who didn't seem like they were going to be available to the Cavaliers ended up in the team's crosshairs at the end of day one of the NBA free-agency period. According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events. In addition, a league source indicated the team is trying to attract Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, who appears to be disgruntled with the Lakers' early attempts to re-sign him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, told the Riverside, Calif., Press-Enterprise Wednesday, ..."
Cavs' Anderson Varejao to be free agent
"In a move that surprised no one, Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao opted out of the final year of his contract, one that would bring him about $6.2 million, to test the free-agent waters. Two seasons ago, Varejao and the Cavs were involved in a protracted contract dispute that strained the relationship between the sides. Any differences were eventually worked out and Varejao has said on more than one occasion during the past year that he wants to remain with the team. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry has said Varejao remains a valued part of the organization. This season, Varejao had career highs in starts (42) and scoring (8.6 points per game), but he is recognized for the defensive ..."
Detroit Pistons move quickly and may grab Charlie Villanueva in free agency
"The Detroit Pistons have the most money to spend in free agency and they are apparently ready to use it. According to numerous outlets, the Pistons are hosting both guard Ben Gordon and forward Charlie Villanueva today for visits. Detroit could present contract offers to both, who know each other well after being teammates at the University of Connecticut, and maybe take two of the top players off the market on the first day of free agency. The Pistons likely have enough to outbid other teams with only the Bulls being able to offer Gordon more. The Cavs, who have interest in Villanueva, can only offer up to $5.6 million with the mid-level exception."
Limited Cavs ready to go shopping
"Right now, consider the Cavaliers a little boy with a limited amount of cash shopping at the local Game Stop looking for a copy of Call of Duty. They want it, but can't have it because it costs too much. That's not for lack of will, however. When Cavs owner Dan Gilbert says that he has no problem spending to win a championship, there is every reason to believe him. However, right now the team is constrained by NBA rules and having 12 players, including Shaquille O'Neal, under contract. The Cavs have the league's mid-level exception, which is worth $5.8 million, and the bi-annual exception (worth $2 million). That limits their options in a free-agent market, which opens at midnight. Teams ..."
Villanueva interested in Cavaliers
"This lineup would make Cavaliers fans lick their chops and give the team a front line that foes in the Eastern Conference would fear. On Monday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks declined to offer a contract to their starting power forward, Charlie Villa-nueva, a move that went contrary to conventional wisdom. After the Bucks traded Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs last week, many NBA insiders expected Milwaukee to make offers to Villanueva and guard Ramon Sessions. Sessions got his, but Villanueva received nothing, paving the way to unrestricted free agency. According to reports, his qualifying offer for the season was $4.6 million. What does it mean for the Cavs? It depends on ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers target unrestricted free agent Charlie Villanueva
"The NBA is changing by the day and, it seems, it always affects the Cavaliers. In a move that was considered shocking in corners Monday, the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to offer young free-agent power forward Charlie Villanueva a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent. He now will be unrestricted, which makes him significantly easier to sign because the Bucks will not have matching rights. According to sources, Villanueva now will be one of the Cavs' free-agent targets when teams are allowed to speak with them Wednesday. The Cavs have their mid-level exception, expected to be around $5.6 million to $5.8 million, to offer in the first year of a contract. Villanueva's ..."
Shaq's rapport with LeBron is unspoken but real
"D id Shaq bend LeBron's soup spoons or what? At last check, Shaquille O'Neal hadn't spoken directly to LeBron James, who was in France lying as low as one can while wearing T-shirts that read, "LeBron MVP" and "Check My Stats." (What does a guy have to do to get some privacy?) Shaq said it was no big deal that they hadn't talked because he'd had "mental conversations" with James. Does that make him The Big Spock? Mr., not Dr. Just in case something gets lost in translation when they begin sharing the court, or the grip on Shaq's Vulcan mind meld slips in the heat of battle, it shouldn't take O'Neal long to figure out that the scowl on James' face means "Get the hell out of the lane." ..."
Magic, Cavs better or just different?
"A weekly look at five talking points that have the league buzzing: 1. The "wow" factor. OK, now exhale. Because while the two major trades that went down on draft day appeared to dramatically shake up the Eastern Conference playoff race, the impact might prove less than overwhelming. First take Orlando's acquisition of Vince Carter. While it might sound like a steal, with only Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie going to New Jersey in return, that hardly paints the complete picture. The move almost certainly removes the Magic from the bidding on free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu. So that, in essence, means while Orlando adds Carter to its lineup, it loses starters in Lee and ..."
O'Neal trade not without risks, but rewards are greater
"The major challenges folks mention about adding Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavaliers do not seem to be challenges in the eyes of the Cavs. The first says that LeBron James won't be able to get to the basket with Shaq's big body clogging the paint. I don't quite understand this one. Did Dwyane Wade have a problem driving when O'Neal was with the Miami Heat? It will take some adjustment, yes, because James has never played with such a massive low-post presence. But nobody in the league has better basketball savvy than James, so any adjustment seems less consequential than it's being made to be. Too, O'Neal's presence gives James a rather hefty option if teams double him. Think back to Game 7 in ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers' free agency options are many and their pockets are deep
"In the NBA, Christmas is in July. But like Christmas for most people last year, it is going to be a little lean this time around. Wednesday is the start of the free-agent shopping season, when all teams are allowed to start talking to free agents. Tuesday night around 11:45 p.m. is a bit like being outside of a Best Buy at dawn the day after Thanksgiving as people start lining up for the deals. The phones start ringing at midnight and don't stop for a good two or three weeks. Several factors are making this free-agent season much different than years past. The largest is the economy, which has been a huge drain on everyone. The effects are expected to truly start biting NBA teams this ..."
Shaq and LeBron under one roof: The Cavs go for broke
"The big-screen, wide-angle-lens adventure always took place elsewhere. But now comes Shaq. Maybe Shaquille O'Neal is just passing through. It's likely, but not certain. But already the woe-is-us hymn is in the air. Critics say Shaq is so far over the hill, he only gets back with a ski lift. LeBron James and Shaq won't be able to mesh their games because they need the same space on the floor. Mike Brown will never assemble this jigsaw. It's all the negative, defeatist yada's again. But just getting Shaq is huge. Cold-weather cities are tough sells in basketball. Baseball, too. Even Chicago with Michael Jordan never landed the best free agents. John Hart, when he was the Indians' ..."
Eyenga eager to play defense
"Cavaliers first-round draft choice Christian Eyenga will never be accused of lacking confidence. The native of the Congo, who played for CB Prat Juventad of Spain, before being selected with the 30th pick of the first round by Cleveland, suspects that with the aid of a book, he'll be able to understand and speak English in just 100 days. There's little reason to doubt him. It took him just three months to learn Spanish. If being a quick study transfers to the basketball court, the Cavs very well might have found a diamond in the rough. It wouldn't be the first time such a player came from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Current Los Angeles Laker Didier Ilunga-Mbenga hails from that ..."
O'Neal Is Set To Be Best Since Jordan
"When the rumor first gained genuine steam some two weeks ago, Kobe Bryant's championship night was nearly upstaged. When the trade officially went through Thursday, Blake Griffin's big moment was shoved to the back burner. The Orlando Magic, meanwhile, heard footsteps ominous enough to make the defending Eastern Conference champions go out and procure Vince Carter later that day. And now, two days later, the reverberations of Shaquille O'Neal pairing with LeBron James in Cleveland are still being felt, with Shaq undeniably gaining an upper hand on Kobe and Tim Duncan in the race for a fifth NBA championship ring. All of which begs the question: More than 10 years after Michael Jordan ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown needs to change the offense now
"On one hand, you've got the guy who played Kazaam, a genie, in the movies. Nobody is going to put Shaquille O'Neal back in the bottle. On the other hand, you've got the guy who likes to be called the King. In his six years here, LeBron James has usually had the ball in his hands, dribbling, dribbling. Basketball as still life. Despite attempts to cast the big trade in terms of two Hollywood divas, jealous over the number of their lines in the script, new marriages usually begin with a vast store of goodwill. The Shaq-Kobe Bryant Lakers dissolved in acrimony, but James always has been a good teammate. Maybe it's because he is King Sol, and the other Cavaliers are planets revolving around ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers' first-round pick makes first trip to town
"Christian Eyenga may not speak much English, but he certainly understands a smile. The newest Cavalier, selected with the 30th pick in Thursday's draft, looked perfectly at home playing with about 75 gleeful boys and girls at the East End Neighborhood House on Friday, when the Cavs teamed with Toyota to christen a new outdoor basketball court as part of Toyota's Project Rebound. The lanky forward from Congo, who played in Spain last year, playfully tried to block some shots from the tykes and then lifted up the smallest ones to the rim so they could throw the basketball through the hoop. It was hard to tell who was enjoying themselves more -- Eyenga or the kids. Welcomed to the podium ..."
In blockbuster deal, Shaquille O'Neal shipped to Cleveland Cavaliers
"Call him The Big Pirogi. Label the season "The King and I." Shaquille O'Neal is now in Cleveland, where he'll combine with superstar forward LeBron "King" James to give the town formerly known as "The Mistake by the Lake" the most high-profile 1-2 punch in the NBA. Cleveland General Manager Danny Ferry hopes the LeBron-Shaq pairing wins the city its first championship in any sport since 1964. "Our goals are aligned with what our players want, including LeBron, and that's to win a championship and win it next year," Ferry said of Thursday's trade that sent O'Neal to the Cleveland from Phoenix in exchange for a package that included center Ben Wallace and guard Sasha Pavlovic. "I was elated ..."
O'Neal achieves relevance
"What should we now call Shaquille O'Neal now that The Big Cactus has left the desert? The Big Rocker? The Cavaliers play within sight of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, filled with aging superstars still performing past their primes. The Big Partner? Shaq always has been part of a potent tandem, teamed in the past with Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash before joining LeBron James in a blockbuster draft day trade on Thursday. What O'Neal really has become is the NBA's Big Headline. No matter what is happening in the league, O'Neal always finds a way to become part of the story. A draft night with a player pool some experts believe is as thin as any in the past two ..."
The Shaq deal: He'll make the Cavaliers worse, not better
"At the risk of offending the Mayor of Cleveland yet again … I don't share the Cavs' enthusiasm for Shaquille O'Neal. At this stage in his career he's more comedian than competitor. He's 37. He can barely move. He can't shoot free throws. He's not the Shaq of 1995 or even 2002. He's just a guy bouncing from team to team, looking for one last ring. Yes, he's a better low-post threat than Zydrunas Ilgauskas. (Spud Webb was a better low-post threat than Big Z, who's a jump-shooting center.) But he'll also clog the lane in a way deleterious to the game of one LeBron James, who's the franchise in that charming Ohio city. The Cavaliers won 66 games because, by putting shooters around him, they ..."
Looks Like a Blockbuster, but It Could Be a Bust
"On the eve of the N.B.A. draft, the Phoenix Suns sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Along with the stunning news of Michael Jackson's death, O'Neal's trade became the talk of the day. The Diesel and King James. A 15-time All-Star center teaming with LeBron James, the league's most valuable player. Five years ago this would have qualified as a blockbuster, oh-my-god trade. Most of us would have said, "Engrave the championship trophy and give it to the Cavs." In 2009, this trade has all the makings of a colossal bust. Mark Jackson, the former star of St. John's and the Knicks and now an N.B.A. analyst, shrugged. "They've got to do something else," Jackson said of Cleveland. ..."
Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas reacts to the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal
"Here's a sight New Yorkers aren't used to seeing everyday - a human skyscraper walking his dog during downtown Manhattan's early-morning rush hour. Especially when that giant is none other than Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Ilgauskas, who lives in lower Manhattan during the offseason with his wife Jennifer, was busy scrolling through the latest sports news on his cell phone Thursday morning, including the blockbuster trade involving his team. "I was just reading the news. That means I'll probably be coming off the bench," Ilgauskas said, when asked about the impending arrival of four-time NBA champ Shaquille O'Neal as his new Cleveland teammate."
Kerr explains Suns' decision to trade Shaq
"The Suns acquired Shaquille O'Neal nearly 17 months ago in order to win a championship. One playoff win later, they weren't close and that was why they decided to trade O'Neal in the name of finances to rebuild a championship plan, Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said Thursday. O'Neal, 37, was sent to the Cavaliers for $10 million of savings in a trade for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a conditional 2010 second-round pick and $500,000. The deal was approved Thursday with a tweak to the second-round pick that Phoenix should receive next year. Pavlovic will be cut for $6.9 million in savings while the deal itself is worth $3.1 million in luxury tax and payroll savings. Wallace, considering ..."
Ferry makes bold move by acquiring Shaq
"With time ticking away on LeBron James' continued tenure with the Cavaliers, General Manager Danny Ferry said that the organization was no longer willing to wait in its quest for a championship. Ferry, an executive who has been far from timid when it comes to making moves to improve the Cavs, made another bold move in the wee hours of Thursday morning by completing a deal that brought Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavs in exchange for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, a second-round draft choice in 2010 and cash. ''Obviously LeBron's future is important to our organization but this move and our goals are in line with what I think our players want, which is to win a championship ..."
Cavs choose player for future
"General Manager Danny Ferry made no more bold moves Thursday night. The Cavaliers stood pat at No. 30 and drafted guard Christian Eyenga out of the Congo with their first-round pick in the NBA Draft. Ferry was able to deal for Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal earlier in the day, but there were no deals to be had in the first round. That's not necessarily a bad thing, given the consensus among draft experts that this draft wasn't very good or very deep beyond Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, whom the Los Angeles Clippers promptly chose with the No. 1 overall selection. That doesn't necessarily mean that Ferry didn't take a gamble. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Eyenga played for the ..."
Shaq will be more than a player for Cavs
"A few years back at one of the Los Angeles Lakers championship celebrations, Shaquille O'Neal held the microphone. ''Can you dig it?'' he bellowed to the celebrating crowd. ''Can you dig it?'' It was said with flair, of course, with the right words emphasized and the right words stretched out. Shaq does nothing without flair. The phrase comes from the movie The Warriors, a classic, great film about a gang leader named Cyrus who tried to unite New York's into one force. ''Can you dig it?'' he bellowed over and over to the Central Park gathering where he announced his plan. It's now time to ponder the gang that will be playing for the Cavaliers next season: LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal ..."
Trading for Shaquille O'Neal puts Cleveland Cavaliers in position to win NBA title, says GM Danny Ferry
"The Cavaliers greatly value stability, but they made it clear Thursday the belief system doesn't always include patience. In a session with the media this afternoon shortly following a conference call with the NBA office to consummate the deal, team general manager Danny Ferry said he decided to pull the trigger on a trade for Shaquille O'Neal because the Cavs want to win a title. And win it now. Part of it is LeBron James' coming free agency. But another part is the team believes it is very close after winning 66 games this past season and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. "Our goals are aligned with what our players want, including LeBron, and that's to win a championship and ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers' Shaquille O'Neal thrilled to now be a Cavalier
"Shaquille O'Neal was his usual blunt and stylish self in stating his new mission as a Cavalier. He wants to be the "first to five." As in five championships. And first before former teammate and chronicled rival Kobe Bryant, who picked up his fourth championship ring with the Lakers earlier this month. In an interview with ESPN during the NBA Draft on Thursday night just hours after the Cavs completed a trade for him, O'Neal said he is willing to do "whatever it takes" to get a fifth championship. And he also expressed how happy he is to be coming to Cleveland to play alongside LeBron James. "I was elated about the trade because I get to play with one of the greatest players to play the ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers draft Christian Eyenga with first-round pick
"Just 24 hours after acquiring one of the most famous players in the world, the Cavaliers drafted one hardly anybody knows. After waiting through the first 29 picks, the Cavs took forward Christian Eyenga of the Congo with the 30th - and last - pick of the first round. The 6-5, 210-pound forward averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 25 games with CB Prat Juventud in Spain. It's the same program that produced fifth-overall pick Ricky Rubio, but Eyenga played mostly on what amounts to the junior varsity. With the 46th pick in the second round, the Cavs selected North Carolina forward Danny Green, who helped the Tar Heels win the 2009 NCAA title. Green, whose pregame ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James convinced Shaquille O'Neal is a good fit
"Shaquille O'Neal became real ity for the Cavaliers on Thursday, but the team has been considering the possibility for months. How the future Hall of Fame center would fit into the team's offense, defense and locker room chemistry have been the subject of many meetings and private conversations. LeBron James and several other players weighed in. Team owner and check writer Dan Gilbert weighed in. There were film sessions, reams of statistical analysis and even a dossier of background research. So yes, there was plenty of sizzle. "Shaq is an incredible ballplayer and a four-time NBA champion," James said Thursday. "I have a lot of respect for him and his game. It will be a real honor to ..."
Big moves by Cavs, Magic make it tougher for Pistons
"Two events over the past two days kind of overshadowed Thursday night's NBA draft. Orlando made major news early Thursday by acquiring superstar Vince Carter in a move to try to get closer to capturing the NBA title it lost to the Lakers this month. And that move paled in comparison to the Cavs finalizing the deal to grab one of the best centers ever in Shaquille O'Neal. On paper it looks as though winning the Eastern Conference just got a little tougher for the Pistons. Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars didn't address that possibility directly, but he did say it showed the need to strengthen the talent base. "You have to have incredible depth now," Dumars said to a ..."
Big deals are the big deal in NBA
"The ground trembled beneath the NBA once more as Shaquille O'Neal was traded . . . .. as it always does when Shaq joins another team, and this makes five. Now 37 and a shadow of the Diesel who left the Lakers at 32, O'Neal still reconfigures the league whenever he moves. Of course, Thursday may be remembered in the NBA as the Feast of the Configuration, with Vince Carter going to Orlando in another deal, amid reports Phoenix has agreed to a deal sending Amare Stoudemire to Golden State. Oh, the NBA also held its draft, which was important for a lot of teams who haven't been heard from in years. (For the rest of our draft analysis, please see the bottom of this story.) We'd better take a ..."
Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas reacts to the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal
"Here's a sight New Yorkers aren't used to seeing everyday - a human skyscraper walking his dog during downtown Manhattan's early-morning rush hour. Especially when that giant is none other than Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Ilgauskas, who lives in lower Manhattan during the offseason with his wife Jennifer, was busy scrolling through the latest sports news on his cell phone Thursday morning, including the blockbuster trade involving his team. "I was just reading the news. That means I'll probably be coming off the bench," Ilgauskas said, when asked about the impending arrival of four-time NBA champ Shaquille O'Neal as his new Cleveland teammate. Ilgauskas, who will be ..."
Shaquille O'Neal is a catch worth reeling in
"Shaquille O'Neal, the Big Walleye? Certainly this is a big catch in this town. Even though Shawn Kemp put on so much weight as a Cav that he started looking like Shaq, that was different. Both were trades. But Kemp came for the new contract. Shaq comes to win with LeBron James. LeBron's a bigger star, clearly, but he was born around here and stayed because the bounce of a pingpong ball rewarded the bottoming out of the franchise. Shaquille O'Neal comes willingly, maybe naively (uh, big man, the snow piles up taller than you), but no doubt vengefully (he has called Dwight Howard "an impostor" and Stan Van Gundy "a master of panic.") There's no guarantee that Shaq will mesh offensively or ..."
NBA approves trade making Shaquille O'Neal a Cleveland Cavalier
"The Cavaliers have completed their trade for Shaquille O'Neal, having gotten the league office to approve it this morning. But it did require a tweak that impacts tonight's NBA Draft. On a technicality, the Cavs could not send the Phoenix Suns their second-round pick, the 46th overall, in addition to Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace plus cash to complete the trade. So the Cavs will now keep that pick and instead send the Suns next season's second-round pick. That selection, though, is protected if it is in the top 40 picks. If it is, the Suns will get the Cavs second round pick in 2011."
Cavs have desire, cash to move up
"It was during Watergate that we were advised to ''follow the money.'' It might be wise to heed that advice during the NBA Draft Thursday night. Because improvement for the Cavaliers might come at a cost. The Cavs begin the draft with the 30th and last pick in the first round - a byproduct of finishing the regular season with the league's best record. A 30th pick can help a team - Gilbert Arenas was the 30th overall pick when the Washington Wizards took him, and the Cavs did get Carlos Boozer in the second round - but more often than not, the 30th choice is a guy, a pick, a body. To get a real player would require moving up, but even that is dicey. The Cavs' best bargaining chips to (as ..."
Shaq traded to Cavs on eve of draft
"Like many of the Suns' recent NBA draft days, this one will be more about who the Suns are sending away with Phoenix agreeing Wednesday night to a trade that will ship center Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In exchange for the 37-year-old, 15-time All-Star, the Suns will get about $10 million in savings by acquiring Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic and then releasing Pavlovic, who has only $1.5 million of his $4.95 million salary guaranteed. Phoenix also gets the 46th pick in Thursday night's draft and $500,000. A buyout of Wallace's contract is also possible after injuries reduced his effectiveness and caused him to ponder retirement. He is due to make $14 million this season ..."
Shaq to Cavaliers
"Oh snap. The Arizona Republic, ESPN.com and the Cleveland Plain Dealer are reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns have agreed to a deal that would send Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland and pair him with league's most valuable player LeBron James, which makes the Eastern Conference very, very intriguing. It also adds a lot of spice to the Cavaliers-Wizards rivalry (you ready, Brendan?), injects more excitement to the battles between Cleveland and the Magic (mostly because of Shaq's riffs on Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy), and attaches an interesting sidebar to the LeBron-Dwyane Wade matchups. Should the Lakers and Cavaliers make it to the NBA Finals, you already know that a ..."
Cavs have desire, cash to move up
"It was during Watergate that we were advised to ''follow the money.'' It might be wise to heed that advice during the NBA Draft Thursday night. Because improvement for the Cavaliers might come at a cost. The Cavs begin the draft with the 30th and last pick in the first round - a byproduct of finishing the regular season with the league's best record. A 30th pick can help a team - Gilbert Arenas was the 30th overall pick when the Washington Wizards took him, and the Cavs did get Carlos Boozer in the second round - but more often than not, the 30th choice is a guy, a pick, a body. To get a real player would require moving up, but even that is dicey. The Cavs' best bargaining chips to (as ..."
The Cavs have Shaq; so what is the impact?
"From a blockbuster perspective, getting Shaquille O'Neal is the biggest trade in Cavs history. There's a lot to discuss there. But what does this mean for the Cavs, the remaining players on the roster and the rest of their offseason plans? Let's discuss. • Shaq will now be the Cavs starting center, which means for the first time in a decade Zydrunas Ilgauskas will move out of that role and come off the bench. This will not come as a shock, the Cavs discussed this move with both Z and LeBron months ago and likely spoke to them about it in the last week. • The Cavs still want to re-sign Anderson Varejao. Not only do they still need a young big man but Andy is a perfect foil for teams that ..."
Are you ready for LeShaq?
"Shaquille O'Neal is going to be a Cavalier. According to multiple team executives, the Cavs have agreed in principle to a trade with the Phoenix Suns to bring the four-time champion and future Hall of Famer to Cleveland. The team is hoping he is the biggest missing piece alongside LeBron James in a quest to win its first NBA championship. The Cavs will send the Suns veterans Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic plus the 46th overall pick in today's NBA Draft. It is a trade that has mostly financial incentives for the Suns as they stand to save around $9 million in salary and luxury taxes while the Cavs take on the final year of O'Neal's contract at $20 million. The Suns could save even more if ..."
Shaquille O'Neal steals the NBA draft's thunder
"Remember the NBA draft of 2009 . . . as in "What draft?" On the eve of the event, the ground trembled under the NBA amid reports from myriad sources that the Phoenix Suns are close to a deal with the Cavaliers, sending Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland. the deal is done today, it will be remembered as the day the Clippers got Blake Griffin (that's nice) and the Cavaliers got Shaquille O'Neal (HOLY MT. OLYMPUS, SHAQ AND LEBRON JAMES TOGETHER!). The deal being discussed is similar to the one they discussed at midseason, with the Cavaliers getting a center, and the Suns getting cap relief. The package the Suns would take back, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, is almost comical: Ben ..."
Cavs closer to getting Shaq?
"Phoenix center Shaquille O'Neal is creeping closer to joining the championship chase with LeBron James, league sources said on Wednesday. The Shaq-to-Cleveland trade talks have gained momentum and Cavaliers officials are nearing the conclusion they should make the move for O'Neal, sources said. Now, they have to find the package that'll work with Phoenix. One league executive says there's an "inevitability" to the talks and that, "It's going to get done." Nevertheless, there are still hurdles. Besides taking Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, Phoenix wants Cleveland to surrender cash and future draft picks. Both teams have tried to find a third team to get involved, but with no luck yet. ..."
Trade chatter: Buzz on Shaq, Cavs
"Three reasons we've experienced a hush -- temporary hush, that is -- of Shaquille O'Neal-to-Cleveland talk: 1. The Suns and Cavs, sources say, were trying hard last week to recruit a third team to help facilitate the deal, presumably to help furnish Phoenix with more than just the financial relief that would come with the acquisitions of Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. No willing third team offering up a serviceable big man whom Phoenix likes has been located. Yet. 2. The Cavs recognize that Big Ben's potential willingness to be bought out of his $14 million ending salary and the expiration of Pavlovic's $4.9 million salary (with only $1.5 million guaranteed) add up to two decent trade ..."
Draft and Trade Buzz
"As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to make a push for Memphis' pick at No. 2, it's become clear that they won't package the fifth and sixth picks to get there. The Wolves have made it clear to teams that are trying to pry their 18th pick that it isn't available. They want to use that in combination with one of the two higher picks to make a deal with Memphis. … The Utah Jazz are enamored with University of Pittsburgh tough guy Sam Young at No. 20, who is a perfect fit for head coach Jerry Sloan. … Golden State has long been enamored with Brandon Jennings at No. 7, but league sources say the Warriors are considering Wake Forest forward James Johnson there as well. Few teams would have ..."
Cavaliers guard Tarence Kinsey charged with DUI in Tampa
"Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tarence Kinsey Jr. has been charged with driving under the influence, Tampa police told tbo.com (Tampa Bay Online). Kinsey, a high school standout at Tampa's Jefferson High School, was arrested at 3:38 a.m. this morning while driving 70 mph in a 55 mph zone in his 2005 Bentley, according to the report."
Cleveland Cavaliers' draft affected by NBA trades Tuesday
"Over the past six months, the Cavaliers' front office has been in the business of creating and then evaluating options to alter the team's roster. At the trade deadline in February they decided to hold off; now the team might be getting ready to pounce. The NBA summer transaction season swung into gear Tuesday, two days before the league's draft, with a flurry of trades. Some of them directly affected the Cavs and it may push them closer to beginning their expected tweaks to the team heading into the pivotal 2009-10 season. Multiple league sources indicated Tuesday that the Cavs are now mulling some offers to move up significantly from the 30th pick in the draft. Most involve largely ..."
Cavs may buy way into better pick
"Don't be surprised if the Cavs come away with a rotation player in Thursday's NBA Draft. It probably won't happen if they stay at current picks No. 30 and No. 46, but with teams hurting for money and the Cavs flush with cash from a strong playoff run and LeBron-mania, it puts them in superb position to add some money to that 30th pick and move up. It's a draft with a glut of point guards, and the Cavs could use one. There also are some intriguing wing players. Which brings us to Sam Young, the 6-foot-6, 210-pound small forward from Pittsburgh. Some scouts have compared him to Twinsburg's James Posey, but his outside shooting (37 percent on 3s) will have to improve for that to happen. But ..."
Cavaliers Forum Top 5
  1. so we need a forward Marquies Daniels or David Lee
    Last post:rothbb23
  2. Now That We Got Shaq... What About SG?
    Last post:LE-SHAQ
  3. Artest to the Lakers
    Last post:DetroitRipCity
  4. No Charlie Villanueva?...NO PROBLEM!!
    Last post:IndiansFan337
  5. Cavs need to go after Sheed/Odom
    Last post:IndiansFan337