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 Childress and Channing Frye. However, Childress signed a three-year, $20 million contract to play in Greece last season and his rights still belong to Atlanta in the NBA.
The 6'11" Frye has been linked to a number of teams, including Phoenix and Denver. Frye would not be an upgrade over Varejao on either side of the floor, averaging just eight points and four rebounds in his career. He has an NBA body, but a church-league heart.
*This is not really a rumor, but more of a comment: The Cavs should look into a sign and trade of power forward David Lee of the Knicks.
Lee is finding the pickings rather slim as there are few teams with salary cap space to sign him to the contract he thought he would command...and he is realizing that the only way he is going to get a multi-year deal is through a sign and trade.
I know the Cavs do not want to commit to any lengthy deals, but Lee is the type of young, energetic player that would fit running the floor next to LeBron.
His 16 points and 11 rebound averages last year were somewhat bloated because of the Knicks' style of play, but think of him as Anderson Varejao with better rebounding and finishing skills around the hoop.
Plus, the guy can really finish on the break. Can you imagine LeBron leading the break with Lee rumbling down the sideline? It would be like a run-away train followed by a steam-rolling locomotive. Combined with Shaq, LeBron, and Z, you would be hard-pressed to find a team that could rebound with the Cavs.
Day Seven Rumors
*Not much new to report on the free agent front except the rehashed rumors that the Cavs continue to talk to Anthony Parker to fill their need at the wing, and Linas Kleiza/Channing Frye for their need at the power forward position.
*Conspicuous by its absence is that there is so little chatter about Anderson Varejao being linked to anyone. It's beginning to look as if Verejao's agent has overplayed his hand once again.
*The only big news surrounding the Cavs is that assistant coach John Kuester is in serious negotiations to be the Detroit Pistons head coach. Kuester should largely be credited with finally opening up the Cavs' offense last season after years of stagnancy.
Kuester garnered a great deal of respect among Cavs players and even a casual observer could see that he ran the team's huddle during many timeouts. He will be missed as an assistant, but he is well-deserving of a head job.
*Somehow, the media has created a story out of whether LeBron James indicated to free agent Trevor Ariza that he was going to resign with the Cavs next year or not. The truth is that there is no way LeBron can, or should, tip his hand.
He wants to make sure Cavs' management continues to work to surround him with talent. On top of that, he will maximize his contract by waiting until next year anyway (not to mention allowing the Cavs' salary cap room to sign a big free agent next season).
The fact is that there will not be a lot a better alternatives for him next year...no team can offer him the size or length of contract that the Cavs have and almost no teams with a realistic shot at winning will have the money to sign him.
Day Eight Rumors
*Anderson Varejao will remain a Cav after all. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the sides have reached an agreement on a six-year, approximately $50 million deal.
According to their sources, the big issue for the Cavs was his cap number for 2010, which will be $7 million. Varejao felt slighted by GM Danny Ferry during his last negotiation, but apparently Ferry was able to better relay the message that "we want you" but we need cap space in 2010 to remain competitive and resign LeBron when the time comes.
By back-ending the deal, both sides were able to save face after Varejao failed to get the interest he wanted, while the Cavs failed to land R. Wallace, Ariza, or Artest.
*Despite the signing of Varejao, the team is still in search of one more big forward who can shoot it and a taller wing player. As reported here several days ago, 6'6" Anthony Parker will be that wing. Parker has a contract in hand right now.
*The last piece to the puzzle will likely be Channing Frye or Linas Kleiza. I was somewhat critical of Frye in yesterday's piece and I am sticking to my guns. However, with Shaq, Z, and Varejao already in the mix, Frye would have value to the Cavs as someone who can shoot the ball from outside 15 feet at 6'11".
My fear was that he would become the starter. But with Varejao on the squad, he will be coming off the bench. Hopefully the strong personalities of LeBron and Shaq can light a fire under the somewhat underachieving Frye.
Day Nine Rumors
*It appears the Channing Frye talk is starting to fizzle after the agreement with Verejao was reached. Surprisingly, there is some rumors floating around that the Cavs are in the hunt for Glen "Big Baby" Davis of the Celtics. Where the money is coming from or how the Celtics could let him go to a divisional rival is anyone's guess. Davis only averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds in the regular season playing limited minutes behind Kevin Garnett for most of the year. But the big 6'9", 290 pound Davis averaged almost 16 points and 6 rebounds in 14 playoff games. Given his age, size and improving overall game, the Celtics would be making a huge mistake in letting him go. Replacing him with the aging Rasheed Wallace just does not make sense.
*The Anthony Parker deal is all but signed. Reportedly, it is a two-year deal at around $3 million per year. For the money, this is a great deal for the Cavs. At 6'6" with a wide wing-span, he will make a big difference in defending the perimeter. On the offensive side of the ball, he does nothing spectacular, but everything well. He is extremely intelligent and works hard, having to pay his dues in the European leagues before getting a real shot in the NBA. In case you didn't know it, he is the brother of WNBA star and former woman's college All-American Candace Parker.
*The Verejao contract is puzzling. He is a valuable member of the team, just not at that price. Despite the wrangling from his agent, the Cavs look like they bid against themselves.
*If the team is unable to sign Davis or Limas Kleiza, it is likely that the Cavs will just re-sign veteran Joe Smith. Despite his age, Smith is a solid veteran off the bench. He inexplicably fell out of the rotation in the playoffs after producing solid minutes down the stretch last year.
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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 Childress and Channing Frye. However, Childress signed a three-year, $20 million contract to play in Greece last season and his rights still belong to Atlanta in the NBA.
The 6'11" Frye has been linked to a number of teams, including Phoenix and Denver. Frye would not be an upgrade over Varejao on either side of the floor, averaging just eight points and four rebounds in his career. He has an NBA body, but a church-league heart.
*This is not really a rumor, but more of a comment: The Cavs should look into a sign and trade of power forward David Lee of the Knicks.
Lee is finding the pickings rather slim as there are few teams with salary cap space to sign him to the contract he thought he would command...and he is realizing that the only way he is going to get a multi-year deal is through a sign and trade.
I know the Cavs do not want to commit to any lengthy deals, but Lee is the type of young, energetic player that would fit running the floor next to LeBron.
His 16 points and 11 rebound averages last year were somewhat bloated because of the Knicks' style of play, but think of him as Anderson Varejao with better rebounding and finishing skills around the hoop.
Plus, the guy can really finish on the break. Can you imagine LeBron leading the break with Lee rumbling down the sideline? It would be like a run-away train followed by a steam-rolling locomotive. Combined with Shaq, LeBron, and Z, you would be hard-pressed to find a team that could rebound with the Cavs.
Day Seven Rumors
*Not much new to report on the free agent front except the rehashed rumors that the Cavs continue to talk to Anthony Parker to fill their need at the wing, and Linas Kleiza/Channing Frye for their need at the power forward position.
*Conspicuous by its absence is that there is so little chatter about Anderson Varejao being linked to anyone. It's beginning to look as if Verejao's agent has overplayed his hand once again.
*The only big news surrounding the Cavs is that assistant coach John Kuester is in serious negotiations to be the Detroit Pistons head coach. Kuester should largely be credited with finally opening up the Cavs' offense last season after years of stagnancy.
Kuester garnered a great deal of respect among Cavs players and even a casual observer could see that he ran the team's huddle during many timeouts. He will be missed as an assistant, but he is well-deserving of a head job.
*Somehow, the media has created a story out of whether LeBron James indicated to free agent Trevor Ariza that he was going to resign with the Cavs next year or not. The truth is that there is no way LeBron can, or should, tip his hand.
He wants to make sure Cavs' management continues to work to surround him with talent. On top of that, he will maximize his contract by waiting until next year anyway (not to mention allowing the Cavs' salary cap room to sign a big free agent next season).
The fact is that there will not be a lot a better alternatives for him next year...no team can offer him the size or length of contract that the Cavs have and almost no teams with a realistic shot at winning will have the money to sign him.
Day Eight Rumors
*Anderson Varejao will remain a Cav after all. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the sides have reached an agreement on a six-year, approximately $50 million deal.
According to their sources, the big issue for the Cavs was his cap number for 2010, which will be $7 million. Varejao felt slighted by GM Danny Ferry during his last negotiation, but apparently Ferry was able to better relay the message that "we want you" but we need cap space in 2010 to remain competitive and resign LeBron when the time comes.
By back-ending the deal, both sides were able to save face after Varejao failed to get the interest he wanted, while the Cavs failed to land R. Wallace, Ariza, or Artest.
*Despite the signing of Varejao, the team is still in search of one more big forward who can shoot it and a taller wing player. As reported here several days ago, 6'6" Anthony Parker will be that wing. Parker has a contract in hand right now.
*The last piece to the puzzle will likely be Channing Frye or Linas Kleiza. I was somewhat critical of Frye in yesterday's piece and I am sticking to my guns. However, with Shaq, Z, and Varejao already in the mix, Frye would have value to the Cavs as someone who can shoot the ball from outside 15 feet at 6'11".
My fear was that he would become the starter. But with Varejao on the squad, he will be coming off the bench. Hopefully the strong personalities of LeBron and Shaq can light a fire under the somewhat underachieving Frye.
Day Nine Rumors
*It appears the Channing Frye talk is starting to fizzle after the agreement with Verejao was reached. Surprisingly, there is some rumors floating around that the Cavs are in the hunt for Glen "Big Baby" Davis of the Celtics. Where the money is coming from or how the Celtics could let him go to a divisional rival is anyone's guess. Davis only averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds in the regular season playing limited minutes behind Kevin Garnett for most of the year. But the big 6'9", 290 pound Davis averaged almost 16 points and 6 rebounds in 14 playoff games. Given his age, size and improving overall game, the Celtics would be making a huge mistake in letting him go. Replacing him with the aging Rasheed Wallace just does not make sense.
*The Anthony Parker deal is all but signed. Reportedly, it is a two-year deal at around $3 million per year. For the money, this is a great deal for the Cavs. At 6'6" with a wide wing-span, he will make a big difference in defending the perimeter. On the offensive side of the ball, he does nothing spectacular, but everything well. He is extremely intelligent and works hard, having to pay his dues in the European leagues before getting a real shot in the NBA. In case you didn't know it, he is the brother of WNBA star and former woman's college All-American Candace Parker.
*The Verejao contract is puzzling. He is a valuable member of the team, just not at that price. Despite the wrangling from his agent, the Cavs look like they bid against themselves.
*If the team is unable to sign Davis or Limas Kleiza, it is likely that the Cavs will just re-sign veteran Joe Smith. Despite his age, Smith is a solid veteran off the bench. He inexplicably fell out of the rotation in the playoffs after producing solid minutes down the stretch last year.