The Cleveland Cavaliers Make No Moves at Trading Deadline

Well, rumors were abound that Ferry was very active. Through news reports and consistent text messages, I was informed that Ferry was working the phones on numerous deals. Names like Antwain Jamison and Caron Butler (who the Cavs should have drafted instead of Dajuan Who? Wagner in the first place) from Washington to Shaquille O'Neal from Phoenix were thrown about for the likes of Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic.

As the trade deadline approached, we all knew the Cavs needed help along the front line. They were exposed against the Lakers, a team that could easily be in the NBA Finals at the end of the season.

So names like Jamison and O'Neal were intriguing. Obviously, Ferry was also looking for some depth at the two guard with the idea that Wally was the chip being traded away.

Hence, Richard Jefferson and Butler were thrown into the ring.

There are a couple things to consider here. Before we get into the specific names, it is important to determine what goals existed. First, the Cavs are currently a top four team in the Association, even if they are the fourth of the four.

Secondly, an eye needs to be kept on the future, namely 2010 when the key to everything, LeBron James, will be a free agent. Ferry needs to be cautious to not tie his hands in the attempt to resign the King.

So that brings us the tricky question of: Do you make a move to get better risking a mistake or stand pat with what you have risking the missed opportunity to improve where needed?

I think the right move was made by not making a move. Although I agree that the Cavs need another big along the front line to help against the top teams, I don't want to give up too much to get it.

For instance, if Wally and Sasha were dealt, that would thin out the guard position too much.

Effectively, you would trade lack of depth at one position for lack of depth at another. Not enough improvement there to make a trade worthwhile in my opinion.

There are additional questions as well. If Shaquille O'Neal was brought in, what do you do with Z? Do you split time between the two? Do you play them together? If so, who guards the power forwards? Both have good length but neither can move well enough to keep up with the power forwards in the league.

Offensively, Z would love to hang around the outside and let the Shaq Daddy take the low post. But the whole system that has been in place this season and has been working, would be changed.

Look at what happened to Phoenix after Shaq showed up. Things didn't fit. There was a significant drop off. Also, after Z returned from his injury, the Cavs' offense took off again.

It is obviously in good shape with Z.

Finally, let's not forget the Cavs have won 41 out of 52 games without O'Neal. How much better will he really make us?

Antwain Jamison would have been a nice pickup but again, would it be worth it if we had to lose two shooting guards who know their role on this team and fill it well?

Maybe.

But his four year deal scares me. I want plenty of open cap space in 2010 to resign James and get another star player. From a number of interviews I have seen, Dan Gilbert feels the same way.

The best option was for the Cavs to hold tight like they did. Continue down the road they have set ahead of them. No other top teams made deals either.  So the Cavs haven't lost ground.

Things as they are right now are pretty good. A superstar player. A 7-foot center who can shoot from the outside. Multiple guards that can get hot at any time. An scoring point guard.

A defensive mind set that the team has bought into. A mix of experience and youth. A high energy guy off the bench. Playoff grit and experience. This team is right there.

With all that said, there is still an opportunity to get that last piece to push them over the top. I mentioned Joe Smith in the past. It is possible he will be available along with the waived Mikki Moore who played us hard a couple years ago when he was in New Jersey.

Boston is going to push hard for my preferred Joe Smith, but the Cavs have more money available in their mid-level exemption which could be a bargaining chip. Also, Smith was with Cleveland last year and knows what he has in Cleveland.

Joe Smith would be a perfect fit. A gritty defender who can score. He has a history with the team and would easily fit in with the chemistry that we keep hearing about.

He can come in like last year and alternate with Z. Mike Brown had a perfect offense/defense rotation with Z and Big Ben flipping with Smith and Andy.

I worry about the front line depth, but this team has risen to the occasion during the playoffs in the past. I believe they can again. If they acquire Joe Smith, I think they will be hard to stop.