Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Wally Szczerbiak rehabbing knee, doesn't know if he will play in NBA again

Comment

November 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"As he sat courtside at Madison Square Garden about an hour before tipoff Friday night, Wally Szczerbiak accepted a steady stream of handshakes, hugs and smiles from his former Cavaliers teammates and coaches. Szczerbiak is in New York rehabbing from knee surgery, one that has left his future as a player in doubt. After his contract with the Cavs expired in June, he spoke to several teams but also ended up talking to his several doctors. During the Cavs' playoff run, his troublesome left knee started flaring up. He hoped rest would help, and he even was negotiating with several teams about a free-agent contract. "When I started to amp it up for the season, it was bugging me, so I had to ..."

A terrible audition for LeBron

Comment

November 5

New York Post

"The Knicks were still basking in the glow of their first victory of the season, allowing them to dream of an actual winning streak. Then came last night, a 101-89 collapse that served as both a bucket of cold water in their collective faces, and an ominous warning with LeBron James & Co. looming tomorrow. The same team that had hung a 40-point fourth-quarter on the Hornets was held to just 15 by the Pacers. The same club that couldn't miss on Monday couldn't buy a basket down the stretch, missing its last dozen shots. In short, all that good mojo left the Garden faster than a Hideki Matsui longball left Yankee Stadium. "We had an opportunity a couple times to put them away and let them ..."

Knicks just not fit for the 'king'

Comment

November 5

New York Post

"Bring on LeBron! Actually, not really a good time. If the Knicks were trying to impress LeBron James as he comes to town tomorrow night for his lone Garden appearance this season, the Knicks did the opposite in playing a horrifying fourth quarter last night. The prevailing theory is James would sign with New York as a free agent this summer if he genuinely feels he can make the Knicks a contender. But they looked like a laughingstock in losing last night to the previously winless Pacers, 101-89, to fall to 1-4. The Knicks shot 2-of-17 in the fourth quarter, 0-of-7 on treys, and missed their final 10 shots from the field. They went without a field goal for the final 9:21. They scored 15 ..."

Knicks president Donnie Walsh not surprised at Larry Bird's words about Lebron James

Comment

November 5

New York Daily News

"Donnie Walsh didn't take it personally when his former subordinate, Pacers president Larry Bird, lobbied against Le-Bron James coming to New York next July as a free agent. "I have no problem with what Larry said," the Knicks president said Wednesday night before New York took on his old team at the Garden. "I love Larry. I'm not surprised he'd say that, either." Bird's contention is that James, an Akron native, means too much to Ohio and would be a catastrophic loss to the franchise. It's hard to argue with either of those points. "I like to see the great players stay in the cities and with the teams that drafted them," said Bird, who played his entire Hall of Fame career in Boston. "So ..."

Larry Bird likes LeBron James as Cavalier, not a New York Knick

Comment

November 3

New York Daily News

"Not that he wants his former boss, Donnie Walsh, to fail at rebuilding the Knicks, but Pacers president Larry Bird doesn't want to see LeBron James come to New York next summer. "I hope he stays in Cleveland," Bird said Monday. "He's from Ohio and he means so much to that team and that state. I used to love to go and play in Cleveland because they love the game. And, I like to see the great players stay in the cities and with the teams that drafted them. It means so much for the league and the state. So I would rather see him stay." Bird, who coached for Walsh and then joined the front office when the current Knicks president ran the Pacers, participated in a conference call with Magic ..."

Jackson rumors all over the map

Comment

October 29

San Francisco Chronicle

"With rumors again swirling that the Warriors might grant Stephen Jackson his trade request, the sold-out, opening-night crowd had a power struggle in how to deal with the swingman Wednesday. The crowd's boos overpowered the cheers during pregame introductions. Jackson was booed like he was on the road throughout his first four touches. And, after the happy side out-applauded the hater side during his first free-throw attempt, the jeers prevailed when the shot missed. Jackson requested a trade to a contender before training camp, but he has publicly backed off that desire in recent weeks. Still, ESPN reported Wednesday that trade talks have "heated up." The report said the Warriors are ..."

Cavaliers, Antonio Daniels may soon come together

Comment

October 28

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Antonio Daniels cleared waivers Tuesday. Whether or not his next stop lands him in a Cavaliers uniform should be known soon. Daniels has a couple of options, with the Cavs being high on his list, accord ing to multiple league sources. After missing all of the preseason waiting to come to a buyout agreement with the Minnesota Tim berwolves, Daniels is ex pected to make a decision soon on where he'd like to play. Cavs coach Mike Brown said before Tuesday's season opener against the Celtics that he has a good relationship with Daniels dating back to when they both were with the San Antonio Spurs. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry was a teammate of Daniels with the Spurs. "If someone comes ..."

Delonte West's status still uncertain

Comment

October 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Since the first day of training camp, the Cavaliers have been living in a gray area with the status of Delonte West, their valuable but troubled guard. Sometimes it has been because they were trying to protect West, sometimes it has been because they were trying to help him, and sometimes it has been because they just don't know. Battling to attain balance coming off a very difficult month, West is truly day-to-day. Monday after practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts the team left the door open that West could play against the Celtics in the season opener tonight. But because of the nature of the situation, it is far from a sure thing and not just because the Cavs may want to leave the ..."

LeBron to N.Y.? Odds against it

Comment

October 24

New York Daily News

"The Knicks will have to defy the odds if they want to sign LeBron James next summer. A Las Vegas bookmaker has installed the Cleveland Cavaliers as a 2-5 favorite to re-sign James, who can become an .unrestricted free agent on July 1. According to Bodog.com , the odds of James joining the Knicks next summer are 9-4. James remains noncommittal about his future, and a majority of league executives believes that he won't leave Cleveland for the Knicks, a franchise that has suffered through eight straight losing seasons. During his annual media conference call Friday, NBA commissioner David Stern was asked if having a winning team in New York is important to the overall success ..."

Rule change legalizes LeBron's 'crab dribble'

Comment

October 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"So-called "star calls" have been commonplace in the NBA for many years, even if it often perturbs fans. But you haven't truly arrived until you have your own "star rules." Sha quille O'Neal has been there for a while; Le Bron James is just getting there now. Decades ago, the league installed a rule that players who are fouled before the ball is inbounded or away from the ball in the final two minutes of the game get free throws plus another possession. This was once known as the Wilt Chamberlain rule, but over the past dozen or so years has become known as the Shaq rule. It limits the effectiveness of the hack-a-Shaq strategy late in close games. Five years ago this month, the NBA ..."

Knicks' Larry Hughes believes LeBron James will stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Comment

October 15

New York Daily News

"Larry Hughes understands that the chances of him returning to the Knicks next season are slim to none. Unfortunately, the same may be true of one Hughes' best friends as well. Hughes reiterated Wednesday that he believes LeBron James, the Knicks' primary free agent target, will re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers when James becomes a free agent next summer. "I still feel that way," Hughes said following the Knicks' practice in Greenburgh, N.Y. "He's got a good opportunity to win there. And I know a lot of people talk about him playing in a big market, but he just wants to win a ring. It's not about playing in a big market." Hughes speaks regularly to his former teammate with the Cavs ..."

Trade rumors, retirement talk doesn't bother Ilgauskas

Comment

October 10

Akron Beacon Journal

"Talk of retirement? Rumor of a trade? It doesn't matter to Zydrunas Ilgauskas. It probably shouldn't have, but when a report said Ilgauskas wasn't married to the idea of returning to the Cavaliers after this season, it raised a couple of eyebrows. Going into his 12th season, Ilgauskas has endured bad seasons and multiple foot surgeries. ''I don't know what I'm going to do, that's what I said,'' he said of his future. ''My guess is we'll see how the season is and how I feel at the end of it.'' And should the Cavs win a championship, a realistic possibility heading into the season, it would appear to represent the perfect way for Ilgauskas to go out. ''No, it will depend on how I feel and ..."

Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas rolls with the rumors

Comment

October 10

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"By Zydrunas Ilgauskas' estimate, he has been traded about 75 times since he first came to the Cavaliers 12 years ago. "Or maybe 77," Ilgauskas deadpanned Friday. "I lost count already." That's the 7-foot-3 center's way of saying trade rumors are a daily part of life in the NBA, and why he's shrugging off the newest whispers that Golden State has inquired about swapping unhappy swingman Stephen Jackson for Ilgauskas. While it's true that the Cavaliers might now almost have a surplus of talented big men with the off-season ac quisition of Sha quille O'Neal, the trade rumor also would vio late one of the league's unwrit ten tenets - don't trade big for small. So Il gauskas isn't too worried ..."

Delonte West's absence from practice dims mood as Parker fills in

Comment

September 30

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The delicate and uncharted mix of supporting yet managing guard Delonte West is turning into a full-time job for the Cavaliers. West hit a new low Tuesday on the first day of training camp, skipping both of the team's workouts. The absences were unexcused and caught the team off-guard after West reported to Monday's media day. It has now left the Cavs immersed in a gray area of how to proceed with their talented but troubled guard. "Delonte is in Cleveland," Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said in a statement. "He is addressing a personal matter and did not attend practice." According to a source, West was in his home for the day and did not leave to come to practice. There was no ..."

Cavaliers may not be done tinkering with roster

Comment

September 25

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers are just days away from opening training camp but may not be done with their roster. The Cavs are considering adding another guard to the mix, according to multiple league sources. They have been making calls on some remaining free agents and testing the trade-market waters to see who might be available. Even before Delonte West was facing a possible suspension after he was arrested and charged with illegal gun possession last week it was arguable the team could use another ball handler. Mo Williams and West are the only two players on the team that have proven they can play point guard. Daniel Gibson has done it but hasn't proven he can be effective. Last season the Cavs' ..."

Cavaliers guard Delonte West arrested on weapons charges

Comment

September 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Cavaliers guard Delonte West was arrested Thursday night near his offseason home in Maryland for weapons possession. West was pulled over by police on his 2009 Can-Am Spyder motorcycle in Brandywine, Md., at 10 p.m. Thursday night for excessive speed and making an unsafe lane change. A Prince George's County police spokesman said West had two handguns and a shotgun in his possession and he cooperated with police as he was placed under arrest. He has been released on his own recognizance."

Is he or isn't he? Free-agent forward Kurz may choose Nuggets over Cavaliers

Comment

September 10

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Admittedly there has been quite a bit of attention paid over the last month to just who the 15th man on the Cavs' roster will be. That is because that player may actually end up playing a key role early in the season and because of the little cat and mouse game that has been developing with it. Free agent forward Rob Kurz, who has been in possession of a training camp invitation for more than a month and was in town Wednesday, may not end up being that man at all. According to a league source, Kurz is now considering bypassing the Cavs' training camp for the Denver Nuggets. Kurz is a 6-9 combo forward who is a shooting specialist. He averaged 3.9 points in 40 games as a rookie for the ..."

Stephen Jackson wants Warriors to trade him

Comment

August 29

Oakland Tribune

"Stephen Jackson wants out of Golden State and has hired an agent to facilitate a trade, our Marcus Thompson II confirmed late Friday night on our "Inside the Warriors" blog. Jackson told an audience gathered Friday in New York for a shoe company's party that he doesn't expect to be with the Warriors when the season begins in November. Jackson stunned the crowd after he was asked by an MC if he thought the Warriors would make the playoffs. " "Um I don't think I'll be a Warrior next year. I'm looking to leave," Jackson said. The 31-year-old Jackson signed a three-year contract extension with the Warriors while acting as his own agent last November. But, he has since cooled on the idea of ..."

Source: Smith to join 10th team

Comment

August 15

ESPN.com

"Joe Smith has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks for the veteran's minimum, a source told ESPN's Ric Bucher on Friday. Smith, a 6-foot-10, 225-pound center, is a 14-year veteran. He was picked No.1 overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1995 and has played for nine teams. Smith picked Atlanta over Cleveland Cavaliers, where here played last season and which was offering the same deal."

Lebron unlikely to accept contract extension

Comment

August 8

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James all but said he plans to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. This does not mean James will leave the Cavaliers, but it does mean he wants to keep all his options open. In his strongest comments on the subject to date, the NBA's reigning MVP indicated Friday that he would not sign the extension, believed to be three years, offered by the Cavs on July 18 nor pick up his player option that would keep him with the team through the 2010-11 season. Speaking at the launch of his new Nike Air Max LeBron VII sneaker, James said, "I signed a contract in 2006 with an option. It would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn't keep my options open. "I'll let you ..."

Hakim Warrick chooses Milwaukee Bucks over Cleveland Cavaliers

Comment

August 2

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"As happens often in the free-agent process, it is on to the next for the Cavaliers. Friday, power forward Hakim Warrick accepted a contract offer from the Milwaukee Bucks over one from the Cavs. The proposals were not the same. The Bucks reportedly signed Warrick to a one-year, $3 million contract, and he will have a chance to compete for a starting job. The Cavs' offer was their bi-annual exception of just under $2 million to take position behind starter Anderson Varejao. The Cavs still are believed to want to add another forward. One player under consideration is Joe Smith, who finished out last season with the Cavs. He averaged 6.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21 regular season games ..."

Cavs not done shopping

Comment

July 31

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers' major moves are done, but the finishing touches may not be. According to a league source, the Cavs have a contract offer out to a forward and are hoping to get an answer within the next few days. That forward is believed to be Hakim Warrick, a 6-9 athletic big man who has played the past four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team is believed to be offering its biannual exception, which would be just under $2 million for this season, plus a player option for the 2010-11 season. ESPN.com reported Thursday that Warrick is considering the Cavs, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Both the Bucks and 76ers can offer Warrick more money, and he is from Philadelphia. If ..."

Cavaliers not done shopping; team reportedly offers contract to Grizzlies' Hakim Warrick

Comment

July 31

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers' major moves are done, but the finishing touches may not be. According to a league source, the Cavs have a contract offer out to a forward and are hoping to get an answer within the next few days. That forward is believed to be Hakim Warrick, a 6-9 athletic big man who has played the past four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team is believed to be offering its biannual exception, which would be just under $2 million for this season, plus a player option for the 2010-11 season. ESPN.com reported Thursday that Warrick is considering the Cavs, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Both the Bucks and 76ers can offer Warrick more money, and he is from Philadelphia. If ..."

Cavaliers top draft pick, Christian Eyenga, will play in Spain next season

Comment

July 24

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers' first-round draft pick, the raw-shooting guard Christian Eyenga, will play in Spain next season instead of coming to Cleveland, his agent confirmed Thursday. However, the three-year deal he signed with DKV Joventut this week has enough flexibility that Eyenga can join the Cavaliers after each season of preparation spent abroad. Andy Miller, Eyenga's New Jersey-based agent, said the agreement will allow the 20-year-old native of Congo to develop as he continues to play with the Spanish club where he spent the past two seasons. "This has nothing to do with money. It was not a shakedown of any sort," Miller said. "This has everything to do with allowing Christian to gain ..."

Cleveland Cavaliers sign Jamario Moon, forward, to offer sheet

Comment

July 20

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"As part of their continuing efforts to upgrade this off-season, the Cavaliers have signed restricted free agent Jamario Moon of Miami to an offer sheet, according to a league source. The Cavaliers have about $3.2 million remaining on their midlevel exception that they can use to pay Moon, a 6-8 swingman, or they can use their $2 million biannual exception. The offer is for two guaranteed years. Once the league receives the paperwork, which is expected to be today, the Heat will have seven days to match the offer. This marks Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry's first foray into courting a restricted free agent. The Cavaliers are banking on Miami's attention being diverted to other ..."

Now it appears to be Moon over Cleveland, rather than Miami

Comment

July 20

Toronto Star

"The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed restricted free agent Jamario Moon to an offer sheet. Moon spent last season with the Heat, who yesterday confirmed the offer first reported by ESPN.com. Terms were not disclosed. Calls to Joel Bell, Moon's agent, were not returned. Miami has seven days to match the offer. Moon averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game last year. The Heat already have a glut of wing players and team president Pat Riley has often said often over the past few weeks that salary cap and luxury tax restrictions could force Miami to keep as few as 13 players on the roster as opposed to the maximum 15."

Cavaliers make a bid for Miami Heat's Jamario Moon

Comment

July 20

Miami Herald

"As the Heat continues to try to sign the Lakers' Lamar Odom, Miami learned Sunday that restricted free agent small forward Jamario Moon has signed an offer sheet with the Cleveland Cavaliers, reducing the likelihood of the Heat retaining him. After the offer is submitted to the NBA office Monday, the Heat would have seven days to decide whether to match. Terms were not revealed, but the offer is for at least two years, and the first-year salary cannot exceed the $3.2 million that Cleveland still has available from its $5.9 million midlevel exception. The Heat might be reluctant to match for two reasons: 1) Unless Miami is acquiring an impact player (such as Odom), the Heat prefers not to ..."

Sources: Cavs ink Moon to offer sheet

Comment

July 19

ESPN.com

"The Cleveland Cavaliers have continued their offseason remodeling by signing restricted free agent Jamario Moon to an offer sheet, according to NBA front-office sources. Although the full details of the offer sheet are unlikely to be known until Monday, when the contract is submitted to the league office, sources told ESPN.com that the deal Moon signed Friday spans at least two years. The Miami Heat will have seven days to match the offer once it's formally processed, but Cleveland would appear to have a good chance of landing Moon given Miami's well-chronicled desire to avoid new contracts longer than one year to protect its 2010 salary-cap space. There are exceptions to that policy, as ..."

'Efficient' Anthony Parker eager to fill any need for championship-starved Cleveland Cavaliers

Comment

July 14

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It was just about three years ago that the Cavaliers took their first shot at acquiring guard Anthony Parker. Parker, a nonentity in his first three NBA seasons with Philadelphia and Orlando, had blossomed into a star overseas and was named the Euroleague MVP in 2005 while playing with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He won five Israeli Premier League championships, five Israeli Cups and three Euroleague titles. "Up to this point, it has been my best basketball experience," Parker said. General Manager Danny Ferry and assistant GM Lance Blanks were just completing their first seasons with the Cavs on the lookout for players who could help. Blanks was one of a number of team officials who saw Parker ..."

Source: Cavaliers have interest in Toronto Raptors forward Joey Graham

Comment

July 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Should the Cavaliers fail to land the "stretch-four" they've been seeking, another player they have some interest in is free agent small forward Joey Graham, according to an NBA source. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry could not be reached on Saturday night to confirm the team's interest. Graham, 27, has spent his entire career in Toronto after the Raptors made him the 16th pick in the 2005 draft out of Oklahoma State. The 6-7, 225-pound Graham is a strong defender who averaged 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 19.8 minutes in 78 games with the Raptors last season. He shot 48 percent from the field but only 18 percent from 3-point range. His twin brother Stephen, who played 13 games with the ..."

Gallinari Is Key as Knicks Plan to Woo James

Comment

July 12

New York Times

"In a gym buzzing with bright-eyed prospects, the most significant figure was a well-tanned spectator standing against the wall with his shirt off. Danilo Gallinari is weeks away from playing basketball, but he has never been more critical to the Knicks' future. Jason Kidd and Grant Hill are not coming, despite the franchise's best recruiting efforts. The June draft brought two solid prospects - Jordan Hill, who agreed to a two-year, $4.3 million contract Saturday, and Toney Douglas - but no saviors. The roster for next season may be largely unchanged. So when the time comes next July for LeBron James to consider a new home and new teammates, the Knicks' sales pitch might well begin with ..."

LeBron James more likely to stay a Cav if salary cap continues to drop

Comment

July 10

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Looking ahead to the much-hyped summer of 2010, the Cavaliers are facing some good news and bad news. The Cavs signed Anderson Varejao to a six-year contract Thursday that guarantees him $42.5 million plus incentives. The team is expected to sign guard Anthony Parker to a two-year deal worth around $6 million as early as today, according to a source. The Cavs still have roughly $5 million to spend, as part of different cap exceptions that cannot be combined, and they are expected to use much of it. With that in mind, here's something else: ESPN obtained a memo this week that the league office distributed to all teams, which warned that the salary cap next summer may decrease between $4 ..."

Varejao agrees to 6-year deal with Cavaliers, who add 6-6 free-agent guard Anthony Parker

Comment

July 9

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers have made their big moves in free agency. After making a splash by trading for Shaquille O'Neal, the Cavs have come to terms with one of their core players and are close to adding a key piece. The Cavs have agreed on a new contract with forward Anderson Varejao, agent Dan Fegan said Wednesday. In addition, a league source said the Cavs have come to terms on a deal for free agent guard Anthony Parker. He could complete the that deal within the next few days. Varejao, the team's versatile big man who became a starter last season, is set to get a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $50 million. Much as with the contracts the team signed with Delonte West and ..."

Cavaliers, Anderson Varejao reportedly moving toward agreeing to a new contract

Comment

July 8

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"In the wild world of NBA free agency, there's been little talk about Anderson Varejao the past week. But that doesn't mean there hasn't been movement. The Cavaliers and Varejao have the ball rolling toward a new contract, according to multiple sources. The deal isn't done and because of the nature of the business the situation is fragile, but it appears things are lining up for Varejao to agree to remain with the Cavs. The Cavs may be gaining some momentum on several fronts, in fact. A league source said the team was entering more advanced talks with free-agent guard Anthony Parker. Parker's options changed last week when his team, the Toronto Raptors, decided to sign Hedo Turkoglu. ..."

Pistons reportedly agree to deal with Kuester

Comment

July 7

Detroit News

"The Pistons apparently have their coach, and it's not Avery Johnson. Sports Illustrated.com reported Tuesday the Pistons have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Cavaliers assistant John Kuester. Kuester became the main target of team president Joe Dumars after talks with Johnson broke down. Dumars told The News on Tuesday that Johnson, who had been considered the frontrunner, was no longer in the team's plans. "Where we are right now as a team is kind of like where we were at the start of the Rick Carlisle era," Dumars said. "And a $4 to $5 million (a year) coach is not what we need right now. We didn't have one of those until we were close to contending for a championship when we ..."

Cavaliers assistant John Kuester now a leading candidate for Detroit Pistons job

Comment

July 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Cavaliers assistant coach John Kuester has emerged as a leading candidate for the Detroit Pistons head coaching position. Several outlets reported today that the Pistons have ended talks with former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson after a disagreement over the contract offer. Former Pistons coach Doug Collins pulled his name from consideration last week shortly after the Pistons fired coach Michael Curry after one season. The Cavs don't want to lose Kuester, who has been with the team for the last two years and took over as the offensive coordinator this past season. But according to a team source they would not stand in his way of him getting a promotion, even though it is to a ..."

Source close to LeBron James denies ESPN report that he told Trevor Ariza he was staying with Cavaliers

Comment

July 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"According to a source close to LeBron James, the current NBA Most Valuable Player did not tell free agent Trevor Ariza that he was for sure going to be with the Cavaliers past 2010. Earlier today ESPN.com reported James told Ariza "I'll be there. Of course, I'll be there" as part of the Cavs' recruiting pitch to land the coveted 6-foot-8 swingman. The report said Ariza deemed the statement to be a ploy to convince him toa commitment to sign with the Houston Rockets. The source close to James indicated it wasn't even a ploy. ESPN also reported that Cavs general manager Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown met with Ariza on Sunday in Los Angeles, after he'd committed to go to the Rockets last ..."

LeBron James tells NBA free agent he plans to remain with Cleveland

Comment

July 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard, quoting an unnamed source, says Cavaliers star LeBron James told free-agent forward Trevor Ariza that he plans to remain in Cleveland after his contract expires in 2010. James reportedly said this while trying to get Ariza to sign a deal with the Cavaliers. Broussard writes: But the Cavaliers will gladly settle for the consolation prize; if indeed James' statement to Ariza was more than an empty sales pitch. "Trevor asked LeBron if he would be in Cleveland after next season," the source said. "And LeBron said, 'I'll be there. Of course, I'll be there.'" James could not be reached for comment on Monday. James' conversation with Ariza was part of the ..."

Cavaliers one of several teams considering Channing Frye

Comment

July 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Wednesday is the first day free agents can sign with NBA teams. The Cavaliers may not have any deals on that day, but they are getting closer as they continue to narrow their focus. After making a free-agent scouting trip to Los Angeles on Sunday, Cavs GM Danny Ferry came home and hosted free-agent power forward Channing Frye on Monday at the team's practice facility in Independence. Frye is the type of "stretch" forward the Cavs are interested in during the free-agent period as they look to find big men who can hit jumpers when teams collapse on LeBron James and center Shaquille O'Neal. At this point, the Cavs are looking at several power forwards in addition to Frye. One, of course, is ..."

Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry, coach Mike Brown in Los Angeles courting free agents

Comment

July 6

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers are on the move in NBA free agency. Team General Manager Danny Ferry and head coach Mike Brown flew to Los Angeles Sunday for a clandestine free-agent meeting. Team officials refused to confirm who they're hoping to sign, but the Cavs obviously are trying to land one of their free-agent targets as the market heats up again following the July 4 holiday. Dan Fegan, the agent who represents both Cavs forward Anderson Varejao and Toronto forward Shawn Marion, is based in Los Angeles and often conducts in-person negotiating sessions there. Fegan did not return messages on Sunday. A league source said the Cavs did not meet with Marion in person on Sunday. The Cavs have been in ..."

Many possibilities for potential Boozer trade

Comment

July 5

Salt Lake Tribune

"Should they explore a Carlos Boozer trade in the wake of the two-time All-Star forward's decision Tuesday to opt against free agency in favor of playing out the final year of his contract, the Jazz can expect to have several options. A Boozer trade is expected in some circles if the Jazz re-sign restricted free agent Paul Millsap, to avoid a lame-duck season in which Boozer would be expected to leave afterward while Millsap possibly would have to continue to come off the bench. To make it happen, though, the Jazz would have to find a team interested in adding a power forward in Boozer or a team trying to save on a long-term salary commitment and/or clear salary-cap space for the ..."

Top choices slipping away; Cavs chase Anthony Parker, Shawn Marion

Comment

July 3

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The dominoes starting falling in the NBA on Day Two of free agency. Some of the players the Cavaliers had significant interest in appear to be headed other places but they are still very much in the free-agent game. According to a league source, the Cavaliers have begun homing in on Toronto Raptors free-agent guard Anthony Parker after both Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza appeared set to go to other teams. Another source said the Cavs also have spoken to another Raptors free agent, former All-Star Shawn Marion, though it was not clear late Thursday if the two sides had gotten serious. Both players are unrestricted free agents. Artest, who was one of the Cavs' top choices, told CBSSports.com ..."

Trevor Ariza talks with Rockets

Comment

July 2

Los Angeles Times

"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

Comment

July 2

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"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 ..."

Cavs' Anderson Varejao to be free agent

Comment

July 2

Akron Beacon Journal

"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 ..."

Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly make a play for Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza

Comment

July 2

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"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, ..."

Limited Cavs ready to go shopping

Comment

June 30

Akron Beacon Journal

"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

Comment

June 30

Akron Beacon Journal

"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 ..."

Cavaliers Trade Rumors