LeBron Needs Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Bosh to Win It All Next Year

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Multiple sources have mentioned trade talks between the Cavaliers and Suns that will send Shaquille O’Neal to the Cavs in return for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic.

Shaq, Wallace, and Pavlovic are all under contract until the end of the 2009-2010 season, leading up to the highly publicized 2010 free agency.

But if you’re like me, you know Lebron needs more help than having the Diesel on the block!

Yes, I’m here to propose a second trade that must occur in order for the Cavs to win a championship before the 2010 free agency deadline.

This trade would include Raptor’s star, and friend of LeBron’s, Chris Bosh. Both players have made it clear about their intentions to consider outside offers during the 2010 free agency.

For the Cavs to have any chance to retain LeBron on their long-term roster, they must win it all during the 2009-2010 season.

Toronto, on the other hand, is left with their hands tied behind their backs. Canada has never been the premier location for a rising NBA star.  This was true with the departure of Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter.

In 2010, Bosh is expected to leave the Raptors. And if so, what will they receive in return?

Nothing.

The Raptors need to move the All-Star forward immediately. They can do so by trading him to the Cavs in return for a few players—two of which will also have expiring contracts in 2010.

What I’m proposing is to trade Bosh and Reggie Evans (with a combined contract of $21 million) to the Cavs for Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Delonte West.

Varejao, making $6.2 million, and Ilgauskas, making $11.5 million, will both become free agents in 2010.

If these teams are looking towards the future, all three must pull the trigger.

The Suns and Raptors will receive expiring contracts, which will free cap space for the 2010 free agency. The Raptors will have two young players in Varejao and West. And, the Cavs will have a Hall of Fame center in O’neal, and an All-Star forward in Bosh.

If the Cavs are able to complete the aforementioned trades and re-sign Wally Szczerbiak, their starting roster for 2009-2010 will comprise of Maurice Williams (PG), LeBron James (SG/SF), Wally Szczerbiak (SG/SF), Chris Bosh (PF), and Shaquille O’Neal (C).

2009-2010 Championship material, if you ask me.

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