One rumor making its rounds is the Cavs sending guard Ramon Sessions to Atlanta for small forward Marvin Williams. That doesn’t work under the salary cap, as Williams is making $7.5 million, compared to Sessions’ $4.3 million. The 6-9 Williams would be a major upgrade over the Cavs’ Omri Casspi at small forward, but he doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer at the position. Don’t totally discount it, however, because Williams has announced he wants to be traded, and Cavs GM Chris Grant was the one who drafted him in Atlanta. (Bob Finnan – News Herald)

So here’s the deal if a trade went down it would definitely improve both teams.

For the Hawks they’d get a legitimate point guard, sorry Jeff Teague but it’s true, for their starting lineup. Atlanta would have a guy who can run their offense and provide solid production.

Sessions is having a pretty solid year in Cleveland averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. In three games as a starter though he’s averaging 18.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 12.3 assists. Those numbers would surely drop but be better then his season averages.

For Cleveland well Williams would, like Finnan said, be an upgrade over Omri Casspi. Not a huge upgrade but he’ll be more of a contributor. What it also does is tell me that the Cavaliers fully trust Kyrie Irving and don’t need a solid backup any longer. While Williams won’t give them star power he’ll give them some mode repth that could help them reach that 8th seed in the East.

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That’s right the 13-18 Cavaliers are still not out of the playoffs. They’re only a game and a half back of the Boston Celtics and with the way Boston’s playing they’ve got a legitimate chance of catching them. I just don’t understand why they’d jeopardize the future of the organization to make the playoffs this year.

Making the playoffs would take the Cavs out of the lottery and hurt their chances of landing another top pick and therefore a future star. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

The Cavaliers currently need stars not a player to improve their depth for a playoff run.

“The first impulse after getting the news about Al was ‘We’ve got to hurry up and do something, we’ve got to hurry up and do something.’ Things have settled down a little bit. We’ve made the decision not to get in a hurry to do anything. We’ll look and we’ll talk about the team and we’ll talk about possibilities. But we are not going to hit the panic button right now and start bringing in guys. We are not quite sure if that’s the actual move we want to make. We are still evaluating the situation.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Could the Hawks use another big man in the middle? Of course but having Josh Smith affords them the opportunity to really evaluate the market over the next few weeks. Atlanta has a few games at home over the next few days so I’m sure they’ll take that time to talk and begin to explore options.

I’m sure it helps that they also won their first game without Al by thirty points.

That’s right they’re still putting up Top 10 plays without their superstars as guard Terrel Harris grabbed a loose rebound, tossed it behind his back to a waiting Chris Bosh dropped in an easy layup. It would have been even better though if he slammed it home. Harris grab and pass though makes it Top 10 worthy.

The ceremony was held at the home of the singer’s uncle and aunt, the famous Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra, and his wife, Nora Vega de Guerra.

The report said the marriage came as something of a surprise because the newlyweds had not previously ­confirmed their ­engagement, and because few among the guests even knew they were going to a wedding.

Local media said the ­ceremony was simple but emotional, attended only by the couple’s parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and other close relatives. The two tied the knot on Christmas Eve because the NBA’s 2011-2012 season began on Sunday after being shortened due to a lengthy lockout. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Here’s a picture of the beauty, they’ll be a photo gallery coming tomorrow!

“I thought somebody got here before me,” he said, chuckling. “I didn’t know I was the first one. I wanted to be able to come here and use the facility. Being able to come here, this is my sanctuary. I can relieve stress and clear my mind and work on my game.” (Atlanta Journal – Constitution)

Smith was the total team guy today in front of reporters. He actually wouldn’t even address the Yahoo Sports report that said he’d welcome a trade out of Atlanta. In fact he actually sounded like he wanted to be a part of what the team has going.

“We have an opportunity to do something special,” Smith said. “We have to know it and believe in it, no matter who [the opponent] is. … We have to be able to jell quickly. Everyone has to be able to buy into what Coach Drew has.” (Atlanta Journal – Constitution)

I’m sure Smith is just playing nice as teams have minimal time to come together as a unit. The reason being is that he’s right, the Hawks do have the opportunity to do something special.

They made it to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in 2010-11 before losing to the Chicago Bulls. Even better they return seven of their eight top players, with the only possible loss being Jamal Crawford.

So yea, they’ve got a great opportunity by bringing back that kind of talent and a unit that’s won together while other teams will be trying to become a team.

Crawford is one of the top available free agents, and according to a source close to the veteran shooting guard, he prefers returning to the New York area if he does not re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks. Miller, due to his location, has close ties to both the Knicks’ and Nets’ organizations. (NY Daily News)

The NY Daily News articles mentions the New Jersey Nets being a possibility and personally I think that’s probably his best option.

The Nets have plenty of cap room and a HUGE need for talent. Their offense absolutely blows, only scorer they have is point guard Deron Williams. The combination of these two will at least give them an explosive backcourt. It would also help open up the under the basket area for Brooks Lopez and Kris Humphries (if he returns) as teams would really have to guard the perimeter.

Adding Crawford to that trio would give the Nets a nice core for when they move to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season. A year that the Nets would definitely want to transition from a 24 win cellar dweller to a playoff contender. It would also give them a chance to one up the Knicks, if they actually are interested.

In my opinion, the Knicks will kick their tires on it but nothing will happen. Only way they’ll be able to bring Crawford in is the mid level exception (which I highly doubt he would take) or a sign and trade. A sign and trade that would undoubtedly eat cap space and take away bargaining chips that they’d like to use for a Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.

Only thing for certain is this, if Crawford does return to New York there are no hard feelings for his trade to Golden State after just 11 games.

“Why not? I don’t think the trade was personal,” he said. “It was all about 2010 and the players you can possibly get. I love Atlanta. I want to work out an extension here, but if I become a free agent it’s not the end of the world.” (NY Daily News)

Days after qualifying for the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season, newcomer Galatasaray of Turkey announced on Friday the return of big man Zaza Pachulia to Europe’s top competition. (Euroleague.net)

There’s no word on whether or not the deal has an opt-out clause should the lockout be lifted, but I’m sure it has one. If you’re not playing in China (where the league doesn’t allow them) then a player would be a fool not to get one included in his contract.

Pachulia may just be a back-up big man in the NBA but this shows how dire the NBA situation is, more and more players are taking their talents overseas. The international boys are just going home and the local boys are saying hmmmm there is big money over there too.

Ownership better hurry and work out something before most of their players are making money while they have empty arenas.

Like I said there were more impressive plays but lets enjoy the moment with Zaza, he finally got his dunk on.