TEAMS:
New York Knicks,
Cleveland Cavaliers,
Milwaukee Bucks,
Miami Heat,
Detroit Pistons
PLAYERS: Zach Randolph, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith, Mike Brown, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, LeBron James, Ben Wallace, Stephon Marbury, Darnell Jackson
PLAYERS: Zach Randolph, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith, Mike Brown, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, LeBron James, Ben Wallace, Stephon Marbury, Darnell Jackson
After the Cleveland Cavaliers landed point guard Mo Williams, from the Milwaukee Bucks, rumors surfaced that that the Cavs were interested in a Knicks big man. Zach Randolph was nearly traded to the Bucks at the trade deadline last the season and Donnie Walsh had discussions with the Los Angles Clippers about Zebo earlier this off-season. Mike Brown is a defensive minded coach and Randolph is not known for his defense. However, he is a legit low-post scorer and has averaged 20 points-10 rebounds in a season. The Cavs averaged only 96.4 points per game, which ranked 24th in the NBA.
Walsh feels Randolph (and his max contract) would be better on another team. With LeBron James running the show in Cleveland, the hope would be Randolph would fall in line and re-energize the player who looked lazy for the Knicks at the end of last season
The Cavs traded former first overall pick Joe Smith in the Mo Williams deal. Smith played a key role averaging 20 minutes per game during their playoff run. The Cavs need a scoring option at the four and Zebo is a clear upgrade over Anderson Varejo in the post. Center, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is 33-years old and Ben Wallace is turning 34 during the season. Randolph is just 27-years old year and has averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds for his career. However, it has been difficult moving Zebo because of his contract that has three years left on at $48 million (owed $14.6 in 2008-2009)
Three players on the Cavs roster who the Knicks could seemingly get in return would be: Delonte West, New York native Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace. Although, Wally and Ben are more favorable trade options because of their current contracts.
Delonte West: Looks to be the odd man out with the acquisition of Mo Williams. West is a restricted free agent and is looking for $5 million dollars a year. The Cavs have offered $4 million and could be packaged in a sign-and-trade. The 6'3" guard averaged 11 points and played 38 minutes per game for the Cavs in the conference semi-finals. With Stephon Marbury's contract up after this season, the 25-year old could be his replacement.
Wally Szczerbiak: Head Coach Mike D'Antoni favors shooters and Wally has the ability to light it up. Wally has only played 80 or more games three times in his career but has averaged 15 points for his career while draining 521 shots from downtown. The 10-year veteran has made 40% of his three-pointers and scored a career best 20.1 points in 05-06. He has one year left on his deal valued at $13 million.
Ben Wallace: A player Former GM/Coach Isiah Thomas has coveted in the past. Big Ben is owed $14.5 million this season and $14 mill the year after. From the Cavs standpoint, the player they would most want to deal due to the emergence of of 2008 first round pick J.J. Hickson in the Las Vegas Summer League. The 6?9?, Hickson averaged 19.4 points, pulled down nearly eight boards and shot 53% from the field in Vegas. The Cavs also have second round pick Darnell Jackson who they obtained from the Miami Heat on draft night. Wallace's salary expires just in time for the free agent frenzy in the summer of 2010. The former four time defensive player of the year's skills are declining as his rebounds, steals, and blocks have gone down in each of the last three seasons. He has battled injuries the past two seasons and his playoff numbers have declined drastically. With the Detroit Pistons he had playoff averages of 14 and 16 rebounds per game while blocking two-three shots per game. Even though Wallace will not reach those totals again he could still provide the Knicks with interior defense, toughness and rebounding.
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