There is speculation today that the Cleveland Cavaliers are considering a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, to acquire Michael Redd. Patrick McManamon of the Akron Beacon-Journal says in his piece that there is a lot of talk about a trade, and that it could be realistic. SO yea, right now everything is pure talk but let’s take a look at what could be possible.
The first reason to think a trade is possible, is the new regime in Milwaukee. The Bucks have a new coach, a new general manager and are officially in rebuilding mode. Redd is currently costing the Bucks $50 million over the next 3 seasons, something that could really handcuff a team trying to rebuild. There’s strong talk that the Bucks would like to shed themselves of this contract. What makes Redd even more expendable with that, is the fact that he is coming off his worst season since 2002-03, only scoring 22.7 points per game, a 4 point drop off from the previous season.
The Cavaliers seem like an obvious destination as the team needs a legitimate scorer to take pressure off Lebron James. The two even have experience playing with each other from their time on Team USA. The Cavs would possibly have the best back court in the Eastern Conference if a deal could be worked out. They’d have Redd and Delonte West at the guard positions, with James manning the small forward position. Pretty explosive.
The problem is thou, what do the Cavs have that they could offer to the Bucks.
First and foremost would be Wally Szczerbiak. Szczerbiak’s contract is currently at $13 million and expires after next season, something rebuilding teams always like. If a deal were to be worked out, he’d obviously be the center piece and a must.
Another expiring contract is Damon Jones at $4.5 million. Anderson Varejao who will make $5.8 also expires but he does hold a player option for 2009-2010. Varejao would be an interesting situation with that because its almost a one-year tryout with the Bucks on his part. Varejao wants out of Cleveland, he doesn’t want to split time with Ben Wallace. The Bucks do need an inside presence, and at his current salary, he wouldn’t be to much of a burden if he decided to pick up his player option. What he would most likely do is try the team out, if he’s not happy he opts out becomes a free agent, and then both player and team win.
A deal like this could be pretty good for the Cavs, but if it happens who knows its pretty speculative at this point. Personally thou, I do believe the Cavs need to find another scoring presence to take pressure off Lebron. If that doesn’t happen, this team will never be as good as it truly can. Here’s the link to the Akron Beacon-Journal article as it goes much more in depth.
Let me know what deals you think the Cavs should make. This is a big start to the NBA off-season rumor mill.
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