This deal couldn't be more simple. But the effect on both teams couldn't be more significant. As I see it, this move will get both the Mavs and Cavs back to the Finals—and let the best team win!
The deal would be a straight up swap of Erick Dampier for the Cavs' big man in the middle, Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The deal checks out on the Real GM Trade Checker (Trade ID #466083).
Why the Mavs do it
I see this deal as a straight-up trade of offense for defense. For Dirk to be his best, he needs a big man with an offensive game. Big Z has both a low post game and a perimeter jumper, which would match-up perfectly with Dirk, who also has a low post game and perimeter jumper.
An offensive center would prevent opposing teams from being able to take the ball out of Dirk's hands. Right now, defenses can allow Dampier's defender to wait in the paint or sag off of Dampier.
This trade would allow Dirk to be the leader everyone wants him to be. Big Z's offensive game would also mesh better with Jason Kidd as well.
Why the Cavs do it
Dampier is a big, physical bruiser. He would be ideal for banging on the Celtics' and Pistons' physical big men.
I could see Dampier and LeBron combining to become a more physical and defensive-orientated tandem than Big Z and Bron. This would be ideal for the Eastern Conference.
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3 months ago
This makes a lot more sense for the mavericks than it does for the Cavs. Absolutely, bringing in a player with the offensive capabilities of Big Z would greatly help the fluidity of the offense, but Big Z is not what Dallas needs. The Dallas Mavericks are arguably the best jump-shooting team in the league, but that's only because they're full of jump-shooters. Granted, Big Z has a better low-post game then Damp but by no means is he a "back to the basket" player. Adding Big Z would be just like adding another jump-shooter and taking away a good rebounder and shot-blocker. Dallas needs an inside presence, I agree, but I dont think it necessarily has to be a "big man." Infact, i would argue a slasher would benefit Dallas more than a post. As far as the Cavs are concerned, there biggest problem the bast few years has not been been stopping people its been scoring the basketball. Cleveland MUST put at least one legitimate scoring threat around LeBron or they want go anywhere anytime soon. Dampier does not bring this to the table. Has stone hands and really cant do anything offensively except a turn-around dunk.
3 months ago
the cavs would never do this. Z is way more valuable then dampier, a former all star, which dampier will never be, and much more dependable. He also has been with the cavs longer than any other nba player has been with one team.
Get real. That would hurt the cavs if anything
3 months ago
Keep in mind... Dampier plays KG and Rasheed very well. Dampier is one of the few guys in the league that can physcial handle Shaq. He can easily deal with guys like KG and Rasheed.
And as I said. It seems like the East is going back to the 80's. Hard nosed physical defense with the Celtics and Pistons. Dampier is much more suited for that kind of game.
As for Big Z with Dirk, I think the last thing Dirk needs is anothjer guard. All Dikr has ever had playign with him is guards. And that's the last thing he need. He has always needed a well rounded big man playing with him because Dirk is really mor elike a guard at the power forward position. If you don't have anoffensive big man next to Dikr it takes Dikr completely out of the game. And Dirk has never really had a decent offensive big man. So that tells you how good Dirk could be with one.
And the MAvs aren't a good shooting team. The MAvs have always been loaded with scoring guards, not role playing or clutch jumpshooters. Look at Stack, Terry, Josh Howard.. these guys are all perimter scoring guards. But not reliable efficien role playing jumpshooters.
Big Z would complement Dirk as perfectly as possible. Z has a post game and perimter game. This would allow them to both rotate from perimeter to post playing off each other to perfection both ways.
If dirk had a big amn as good offensively as Z, added to his own offensive talents.. he wouldn't really need amnything else around him. Just role players.
If the Cavs wouldn't take just Dampier maye we could work somehting else out to sweeten the pot.. a three way deal. LeBron has said he is dying to play with Jason Kidd...... but I do think Damp would be a big difference maker on that team. He would change them from a more finesse team to a physical dominant team with LeBron and Ben Wallace.
3 months ago
bottom line is the Mavs don't need help offensively. Its help on defense. Dampier could play better, but he by no means needs to be traded for offense. The Mavs 5 years ago needed a defensive center, thats why they went out and spent so much on Dampier. There were better options but he was the only one available to trade. Defensive centers are hard to find making even more valuable to keep him. Defense does win championships, even in the NBA.
3 months ago
Hi Ryan, thanks for the response.
The problem is you can't get defensive players to put around Dirk. That's why we don't have any.
IF you are going to keep the team the way it is you are better off trading Dirk and getting a defensive power forward. Because if you aren't using Dirk's offensive skills then he is just wasted. He becomes a liability. You have the worst of both worlds. So not only is Dirk not providing conventional defense from his position, but he isn't able to provide his offensive abilities and contributions either.
Again, Dirk is a unique player. And therefore you have to build around him in a unique manner. If Dirk was a conventional power forward Dampier would be fine. But that's not who Dirk is.
If you want to see Dirk at his best and you want to see him lead his team offensively like Paul Pierce did.. then you have to put the right kind of players with him.
If you put Big Z with Dirk it would open up his offensive game like it's never been opened before. Heck.. if you put Dirk with any kind of offensive center his game would open up like never before. He's never played with one. It's always power forwards trying to play center.
I wrote an article explaining how the team needs to be built around Dirk.. check my profile, it's called:
"Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban Should Trade Dirk Nowitzki"
Check it out!
3 months ago
The drop off in offense is to much. The Cavs defense in the playoffs was the 2nd best. This is a bad move.
Cavs need a quicker big man defender to deal with Wallace and KG.
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