This is a continuation of a previous column written on July 2, 2009 and continuing to July 10, 2009
Day Two Rumors
*The Cavs have expressed serious interest in Toronto Raptors' 6'6" wing Anthony Parker, who averaged 10.7 points, four rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season. Parker is a restricted free agent, but Toronto is not expected to match any serious offers.
*The team has also contacted Shawn Marion, another free agent from Toronto. Marion's point totals were down to 14.3 points per game in Toronto (from his career 18-point average), but he still averaged 8.5 rebounds last season.
The concern is that he complained about "touches" in Phoenix several seasons ago. Maybe his experiences of playing on losers in Miami and Toronto have wised him up.
*Denver's Linas Kleiza has also entered the fold. Kleiza is a 24 year old 6'8", 245 pound tweener (small/power forward) who averaged 9.9 points and four rebounds in only 22 minutes/game off the bench last season. He has the length and athleticism to match up with players like Rashard Lewis, who gave the Cavs fits last season.
*Looks like Ariza and Artest will simply swap places in Houston and L.A. respectively.
*Rasheed Wallace is reportedly headed to Boston after being wooed by Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.
Day Three Rumors
*The word is that the Raptors have offered Shawn Marion a four-year deal at $32 million. If that's the case, the Cavs cannot match it. In fact, it's doubtful any team would. However, the fact that Marion has not run to Toronto to sign it may be an indication that he just wants out of Toronto no matter what the offer.
The more I mull Marion over, the more he makes sense to the Cavs. His ability to rebound, shoot the occasional three, run the floor, and defend on the perimeter are ingredients sorely missed on this Cavs' team.
*Linas Kleiza was offered only $2.7 million to resign with the Nuggets. It's believed around the league that at 24-years-old, Kleiza's game has room to grow, especially as a three-point shooter. If the Wallace or Marion chases fall through, the Cavs won't let Kleiza slip away.
*You heard it here first, Anthony Parker will be a Cav. Now, it's only a matter of whether Toronto lets him walk away for nothing or they try to work out a sign and trade.
The Raptors are desperately trying to sign Turkoglu, so after signing Carlos Delfino, there just isn't any money left. It's possible the offer to Marion is meant to sign and trade both players to the Cavs for Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract.
Day Four Rumors
*On the surface, the Fourth of July was quiet for the Cavs. But the real fireworks came across the border in Canada, where Hedo Turkoglu announced that he will agree to a five-year, $53 million contract with the Toronto Raptors (after originally agreeing orally with the Blazers).
That move ultimately ends any chances Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker remain with the Raptors, who must clear cap space to sign Turkoglu.
*Despite the fact that the Celtics sent The Big Three (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett) to talk Rasheed Wallace into signing with Boston, the Wallace camp has let the team know that he will continue to give other teams a crack at him.
Day Five Rumors
*Rasheed Wallace agreed in principal to a contract with the Celtics. He was going to meet with Orlando and San Antonio, but cancelled those meetings. As I stated in my original piece, he was going to sign with Boston or Cleveland—whichever showed him "the most love." Sending Allen, Pierce, and Garnett to recruit Wallace may have sealed the deal.
*Danny Ferry and Mike Brown were in Los Angeles yesterday, meeting with agent Dan Fegan. Fegan represents both Anderson Varejao and Shawn Marion, so it doesn't take much guessing to read between the lines.
Day Six Rumors
*Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that Dallas is proposing a trade to Toronto to get Shawn Marion. The deal would involve Jerry Stackhouse, whose contract is $7 million, but can be bought out for only $2 million.
*Two names that have popped up in the rumor mill regarding the Cavs are Josh Chi
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
This is a continuation of a previous column written on July 2, 2009 and continuing to July 10, 2009
Day Two Rumors
*The Cavs have expressed serious interest in Toronto Raptors' 6'6" wing Anthony Parker, who averaged 10.7 points, four rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season. Parker is a restricted free agent, but Toronto is not expected to match any serious offers.
*The team has also contacted Shawn Marion, another free agent from Toronto. Marion's point totals were down to 14.3 points per game in Toronto (from his career 18-point average), but he still averaged 8.5 rebounds last season.
The concern is that he complained about "touches" in Phoenix several seasons ago. Maybe his experiences of playing on losers in Miami and Toronto have wised him up.
*Denver's Linas Kleiza has also entered the fold. Kleiza is a 24 year old 6'8", 245 pound tweener (small/power forward) who averaged 9.9 points and four rebounds in only 22 minutes/game off the bench last season. He has the length and athleticism to match up with players like Rashard Lewis, who gave the Cavs fits last season.
*Looks like Ariza and Artest will simply swap places in Houston and L.A. respectively.
*Rasheed Wallace is reportedly headed to Boston after being wooed by Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.
Day Three Rumors
*The word is that the Raptors have offered Shawn Marion a four-year deal at $32 million. If that's the case, the Cavs cannot match it. In fact, it's doubtful any team would. However, the fact that Marion has not run to Toronto to sign it may be an indication that he just wants out of Toronto no matter what the offer.
The more I mull Marion over, the more he makes sense to the Cavs. His ability to rebound, shoot the occasional three, run the floor, and defend on the perimeter are ingredients sorely missed on this Cavs' team.
*Linas Kleiza was offered only $2.7 million to resign with the Nuggets. It's believed around the league that at 24-years-old, Kleiza's game has room to grow, especially as a three-point shooter. If the Wallace or Marion chases fall through, the Cavs won't let Kleiza slip away.
*You heard it here first, Anthony Parker will be a Cav. Now, it's only a matter of whether Toronto lets him walk away for nothing or they try to work out a sign and trade.
The Raptors are desperately trying to sign Turkoglu, so after signing Carlos Delfino, there just isn't any money left. It's possible the offer to Marion is meant to sign and trade both players to the Cavs for Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract.
Day Four Rumors
*On the surface, the Fourth of July was quiet for the Cavs. But the real fireworks came across the border in Canada, where Hedo Turkoglu announced that he will agree to a five-year, $53 million contract with the Toronto Raptors (after originally agreeing orally with the Blazers).
That move ultimately ends any chances Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker remain with the Raptors, who must clear cap space to sign Turkoglu.
*Despite the fact that the Celtics sent The Big Three (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett) to talk Rasheed Wallace into signing with Boston, the Wallace camp has let the team know that he will continue to give other teams a crack at him.
Day Five Rumors
*Rasheed Wallace agreed in principal to a contract with the Celtics. He was going to meet with Orlando and San Antonio, but cancelled those meetings. As I stated in my original piece, he was going to sign with Boston or Cleveland—whichever showed him "the most love." Sending Allen, Pierce, and Garnett to recruit Wallace may have sealed the deal.
*Danny Ferry and Mike Brown were in Los Angeles yesterday, meeting with agent Dan Fegan. Fegan represents both Anderson Varejao and Shawn Marion, so it doesn't take much guessing to read between the lines.
Day Six Rumors
*Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that Dallas is proposing a trade to Toronto to get Shawn Marion. The deal would involve Jerry Stackhouse, whose contract is $7 million, but can be bought out for only $2 million.
*Two names that have popped up in the rumor mill regarding the Cavs are Josh Chi