NBA: Marc Gasol and 7 Centers the Cleveland Cavaliers Should Pursue
Much like small forward, the center position for the Cleveland Cavaliers last year was a disaster of epic proportions.
Already thin before Anderson Varejao's season-ending injury, Cleveland also saw the likes of Ryan Hollins, J.J. Hickson and Semih Erden attempt to fill the void left by Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas in previous years.
Finishing as the 22nd-best rebounding team in the league in 2011, an upgrade is definitely needed. Varejao is better suited as a sixth man, Hickson a natural power forward, and Erden and Hollins are Charmin-soft inside.
The Cavaliers need someone with a little bit more grit and height to play the five for them next year.
Someone like...
Robin Lopez
1 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
Some might confuse him with Anderson Varejao, but the Cavaliers could benefit from having both. Lopez has good size (7'0", 255 lbs.) and is a good—but not great—scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker.
Per 36 minutes, Lopez has put up averages of 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in his three-year career with the Suns.
What Would He Cost?
When Marcin Gortat came over in a trade from the Magic last season, Lopez saw his minutes drop significantly. If the Suns decide he's not part of their future, they could decide to ship him off.
Perhaps a Joey Graham/Robin Lopez swap?
Spencer Hawes
2 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
Hawes won't blow you away with any part of his game, but he would be an upgrade for the Cavs.
He's got good height at 7'0", but his 245-pound frame isn't going to push anybody around down low. Hawes is a decent rebounder and scorer, but is still young and could develop into a very nice center for the future.
What Would He Cost?
The Sixers just extended the qualifying offer to him, making Hawes a restricted free agent. With new first-rounder Nikola Vucevic in town, Philly might be content to let Hawes walk if another team offers him a contract out of their price range.
Samuel Dalembert
3 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
Dalembert is a tall, athletic rebounder and shot-blocker with some offensive skills.
Per 36 minutes last season Dalembert put up averages of 12 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots a game. While he's not someone you would run an offense through, he definitely changes the game on the defensive end and makes guards think twice before driving the lane.
The Cavaliers need that shot-blocking presence in the middle, and Dalembert—while not the long-term answer at center—could provide just that for now.
What Would He Cost?
Dalmbert is an unrestricted free agent who could demand $8-$10 million a year. Rumors are the Heat and Knicks are interested in his services, though they'd likely have to use the mid-level exception on him. If the Cavs could get him for 2-4 years at the mid-level exception or slightly more, I'd say do it.
Dalembert is not worth a bank-breaking contract, but if the price is right, the Cavaliers should pursue the former Seton Hall star.
Greg Oden
4 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
First off, yes—a strong breeze could send Oden to another injured reserve stint.
But I still believe there's a lot of potential there.
When he's on the court, Oden represents an elite level of ability on both ends of the floor.
Oden can score, rebound and block shots easily with his 7'0" frame and 7'5" wingspan. Ohio basketball fans still remember when he and Mike Conley, Jr. led the Buckeyes to a national championship appearance their freshman season at OSU.
Wouldn't it be a great story? Injury-plagued Oden comes back to Ohio, revitalizes his career and together with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, carries the Cavaliers back into playoffs?
A man can dream, can't he?
What Would He Cost?
Portland has until June 30 to extend the qualifying offer of nearly $9 million to Oden to make him a restricted free agent.
So far, nothing yet.
If Oden does hit the market, his value is anyone's guess. Teams will want to run all sorts of medical tests on him before offering any type of contract. With the Cleveland Clinic, the Cavaliers could be a great landing spot for Oden; the risk with a low-money contract is minimal, but the reward could be outstanding.
So yes, I believe the Cavaliers should seriously consider signing Greg Oden.
Chris Kaman
5 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
Kaman is often overlooked, but has been surprisingly productive when he's gotten good minutes. His 36 minutes stat-line reads: 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game for the Clippers last season.
He's one of the games true centers and at 29 years of age should be in the prime of his career. The Clippers appear to be leaning towards DeAndre Jordan as their center of the future and could put Kaman on the trade block.
What Would He Cost?
Kaman has one year left on his $12 million deal. The Cavaliers could use their trade exception and possible draft picks to acquire him from LA.
If it doesn't work out in the one year, they can part ways with no harm done.
If Kaman performs above expectations though, a long-term deal could be put together—hopefully at less than the $12 million he's making in 2011 though.
Marc Gasol
6 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
Gasol is the Grizzlies' 26-year-old 7'1" center who can score, rebound and block shots with some of the game's best.
He shoots a high field goal (.545) and free-throw (.715) percentage for a big man. Gasol is often overlooked as one of the game's best centers since he plays in Memphis and isn't even the most famous Gasol in the league.
The Cavaliers need an offensive presence in the middle for Byron Scott's offense to run at its best, which makes Marc a great fit in Cleveland. He's also young enough he can grow with the team into a contender.
What Would He Cost?
The Grizzlies just extended a qualifying offer to Gasol, making him a restricted free agent. The Cavs would first have to move some money around, then start a bidding war with the small-market Grizzlies.
Having already signed Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley, Jr. to big extensions, it would be interesting to see how much Memphis would be willing to spend to keep Gasol in town.
Al Jefferson
7 of 7Why the Cavaliers Need Him
Jefferson, despite already playing for three NBA teams seven years in the league, is still just 26 years old and capable of putting up 20 and 10 on any given night. His size (6'10", 280 lbs.) would be a welcome addition and upgrade over the 240-pound Hollins.
His stats dipped a little bit going from the Timberwolves to the Jazz, but 18.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game would have led the Cavaliers in all three of those categories this past season.
Big Al might not like another change of scenery, but being on the receiving end of Kyrie Irving's alley-oops could quickly make him feel right at home.
What Would He Cost?
Jefferson is currently under contract with the Jazz for two more years and $29 million.
Drafting center Enes Kanter created a logjam of big men in Utah with Paul Millsap, Mehmet Okur, Derrick Favors and Jefferson. If Utah believes Kanter if their center of the future, they could look to move Jefferson and his large contract.
The trade exception could come into play, though it's likely Utah would ask for a player such as Ramon Sessions in return as well.
