'Shaq to Cavs' Has Traction, Resistance

Well, you put together your best team in franchise history, led by the best player in the game. You won more games than any other team in the regular season. You crushed your first two playoff opponents by double digits in every game.

And you were sent fishing. Again.

So what strategy can the Cavaliers turn to in order to get them over that final hump that continues to evade them? Go after a 37-year-old center with conditioning issues. Again.

The Cavs are in pursuit of Shaquille O'Neal. Yes, again. Well, maybe.

More Coverage: Shaq Tweets Congrats to Kobe

The Arizona Republic's prolific beat writer Paul Coro reports that talks are heating up again, while ESPN has a report that no deal is imminent. Talks have been ongoing since before the trade deadline, when a suggested deal was on the table but fell apart. Now that the Cavs have been eliminated in large part to the efforts of Dwight Howard, the best center in the league, they're considering adding some more muscle.

The primary pieces in play revolve around, of course, money. Ben Wallace hinted at retirement after the Cavs' elimination, and his expiring $14 million is a delicacy that every GM in the league has a craving for. Throw in Sasha Pavlovic's $4.5 million and it's icing on the cake. All of this is necessary for the Cavs to be able to take on the $20 million that The Shaqtus/Big Aristotle/Big Tweeter is owed this year.

And what would the Cavs get for that price tag? A formerly dominant All-Star center who instantly boosts the financial value of the team and makes the profile of the franchise even brighter. Of course, they'd also get a player that's 37 year old with a history of conditioning issues (and the Cavs don't have the Suns' renowned trainers) and a penchant for alienating players by attaching blame.

The Suns, on the other hand, would get cap relief, which could help with ... keeping Steve Nash when his skills will be further diminished? Re-signing Amar'e Stoudemire when they've considered trading him anyway? Just clearing space? Steve Kerr has made a lot of questionable moves since taking over the reins, including the acquisition of Shaq, but this one would certainly raise even more questions as to his long-term plan, assuming he has one.

For the Cavs, it could be the move that puts them into championship gold, or the unraveling of a contender. It can happen just that fast. Ask Kerr.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-15-2009 @ 2:17AM

hilyb said...

I am a diehard LAKER fan (so today is a GREAT DAY) but I will tell you. If Cleveland gets Shaq, we are ALL in trouble. Shaq and LeBron are the perfect match. LeBron draws the in but has a pass first mentality. If the Cavs get Shaq...see you in the finals and I will be a little concerned.

6-15-2009 @ 4:20AM

lopjackie21 said...

In trouble???? Because of Shaq????
I find it very hilarious!!!!!
Don't worry....Shaq isn't the same anymore!
GO LAKERRRRRRRRRRS!

6-15-2009 @ 3:18AM

Giles said...

What is going to do with El Zyd, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, if you keep him and get Shaq, play him at power forward? Using him as back up center, a former all star? Obviously, it is more likely he would be paired with Wallace to trade for O`Neal, keeping Pavlovic. But muscle wasn`t the big problem for Cleveland. When the Magic would get leads, the Cavaliers were so desperate for perimeter players, they benched Varajao in favor of 6`3 Danile Gibson. They need more size on the perimeter than that. They need better big perimeter shooters. O`Neal isn`t a perimeter shooter. He is a bonus to what they need. And Nash has said he wanted to play in New York. Maybe Phoenix will dump all its older athletes on Manhatten if it wants them, Hill, O`Neal, and Nash. The Knicks added the Suns coach, maybe they`ll load up on Suns players as well. Maybe the Knicks would give up "Touch it David", Jeffries, and their James (to avoid confusion with the James they lust after) to Phoenix.

6-15-2009 @ 4:17AM

mcjesus666 said...

Miami wasn't tearing it up in the east with shaq and wade; and that's when the east rreally stunk. this deal would work out for the cavs just about as well as it did for the suns......

6-15-2009 @ 6:09AM

kcs4425 said...

shaq,come on let that boat sail.most centers retire befor this time.at least the great ones do

6-15-2009 @ 9:48AM

Rich Cantwell said...

Yes, Cleveland should do this. Sign Shaq, then they won't even make the finals, so Cleveland fails again and Lebron comes to NYC, perfect, I love it.

6-15-2009 @ 10:27AM

BIGKENBRWN4 said...

SHAQ WITH JAMES NO GOOD SHAQ IS SELFISH HE WILL WANT IT TO BE HIS TEAM AND JAMES WOULD NOT LIKE THAT EITHER BECAUSE HE IS SELFISH TOO JAMES CONSTANCE CALL THE CALVS HIS TEAN HIS GUYS IN NUMBER OD HALF TIME INTERVEIWS THIS BELITTLES THE COACH WHO HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE TEAM CALVS SHOULD JUST STAY AS THEY ARE DEPEND ON THE DRAFT TO FILL THEIR NEEDS THEY ARE RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF CHAMPIONSHIP NO NEED FOR SHAQ JUST SHUT THE RUMORS OF JAMES LEAVING OR THE COACH LEAVING AND SHAQ COMEING CALV ARE IN THE MIST

6-15-2009 @ 10:41AM

phil said...

i still say the lakers an there fans both suck dr buss is a fag

6-15-2009 @ 12:32PM

hatrick said...

Learn proper English and grammar idiot!

6-15-2009 @ 10:56AM

Angela said...

Hell No! Shaq you can stay your sorry but there , Cavs dont want you nor need you, Lebron is just fine with out you! Your the won who always needs someone like Kobe to get you there! Dont try and use Lebron! I will totaly quit being a Cavs fan if he goes there!!!

Hey Shaq, tell me how Kobe's ass taste!
Shaq would be a good fit anywhere except with the current NBA champions.

6-15-2009 @ 6:12PM

vandervoorts said...

what's with all the bittermens on this board? Shaq has been involved in a intense off-season workout and supposed to be in great shape. The Cavs are a set offense and defense oriented team which will fit well with Shaq. My only concern is that this is a one year deal and if it fails Lebron may bolt to New Jersey to play for the Nets. He WILL NOT GO TO NEW YORK!! So quit getting all excited, the nets are the most likely choice.

6-16-2009 @ 10:08AM

The New Jersey Nets don't even know where they are going to play. The Brooklyn deal is off, next possibity is Newark, N.J....Lebron in Newark???? PLEASE!!! Thats like Kobe going to the Clippers!..no it's worse.

6-15-2009 @ 7:19PM

cantstopdrinkin said...

I have a few things to comment on and i want yalls honest opinions ( in a conversation , not massive hating,dissing, and cussing) on them. First off Cleveland should not go after Shaq unless they can do that Wallace/Pavlovic trade . And the only reason it would be worth it then would be because thye are already paying Ben W. 15 mill and would probably get more playing time out of Shaq. But just to let you know the Suns will not trade Shaq for just those 2 guys, just wont happen. If they intend on going after a player over 30 that makes $20,000,000 i would suggest T-Mac instead of Shaq. I know he has been injured and all that but he fits the mold of the type of perimeter player they need (i know they need a big man more but there really arent any available since they hardly have any trade chips besides Big Ben) and they could trade Ben or Big Z, Delonte West, and possibly a pic if need be. With T-Mac they could play some very interesting lineups because of him being able to play the SF and Lebron able to play the 4.

But anyway i think they shouldnt go after a player getting paid as much as T-Mac or Shaq I was just saying if they insist on it they need a player with T-Macs perimeter scoring ability more then another big guy who is slow footed on defense and only an inside threat on offense.
I think they should maybe....

6-15-2009 @ 10:56PM

cavs need a big man, period. Get rid of West?!!! Are you nuts! He is a hell of a defender and he can create his own shot. Now that Hedo opted out that changes things a bit. Cavs were built to get buy Boston and I feel they would have with or without KG. Orlando was on fire from 3 point land (40%) and had cleveland defenders running all over the place. I'm suprised that series went 6 games, Orlando created so many matchup issues. Feryy should pull the trigger on this deal if he can with wallace and sasha considering they too will be history after this year. Z off the bench could be a sesitive issue, not sure how to handle that one. This is his team as much as LBJ's

6-15-2009 @ 8:37PM

.. try a trade with Washington since they are starved for salary cap space because all their money have been stuck in the same 3 guys for so long. Im thinking maybe a trade of Ben, West, and a pick or 2 for Antawn Jamison, Mike James, and D. Songaila. Like i said the only reason the Wizards would give him up for that small price is because of the relief to their ridiculous salary cap situation that Ben's salary would supply.
Another one would be a trade to the Clippers - Ben, West, Big Z, and a pick for Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph.
Another would be to the Bobcats (this one would be really good if they could get the 'Cats to do it) - Ben, West,Gibson, and a pick or 2 for E. Okafor,V. Radmanovic, and either Raja Bell or Mohammed. And if they wouldnt go for that then put Mo Williams in the trade instead of West and Gibson. And i know i know they just got Mo but Okafor and Radmanovic would complete that team a lot more then Mo would, and they have Gibson and West to help with the loss of Mo "the playoff choker" Williams.

And then i have these 2 that i think would make the most sense. The Cavs trade Gibson, Pavlovic, and Kinsey to the Wolves for Mike Miller.
And this is the blockbuster one that would help both teams A LOT - the Cavs trade Big Z, Ben, Gibson, Pavlovic, and West to the Hornets for Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic, M. Peterson, and James Posey. And if one of teams had to throw in a pick or two for the other to bite then that also. But LBJ gets an atheltic big man for the first time in Chandler, a consistent top 5 in the league 3 point shooter in Peja, another good 3 point shooter in Peterson, and ANOTHER good 3 point shooter (not to mention a clutch playoff performer when healthy). While the Hornets take care of their 2 biggest weaknesses - frontcourt depth (Big Z and Big Ben) and someone to fill in for CP when he has to rest (thats when they get killed) in Gibson. They also get some major scoring help in Wests because he will feed off CP and West and then some 3 point scoring in Pavlovic to help fill the void that will be left from so many good shooters leaving.... Let me know what you think ...

6-15-2009 @ 9:34PM

Also there is one more thing i wanted to say and bring to peoples attention. I cant believe no writers have realized this and not written about it. The Thunder have a possiblity to become a franchise almost overnight next summer, and just to let you know im a Hornet fan so this is purely unbiased. I have looked all this up and looked into it so this is all true and financally possible. The Thunder have BY FAR the most cap room for the summer of 2010. As a matter of fact their cap number is a ridiculously low number , in that summer they will only have $13,000,000 on their books (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - but heres the kicker , included in that low figure are their 3 best players in Durant, Westbrook, and Green! So they will realistically be able to offer TWO max contracts (as opposed to all this talk about a team being able to sign 2 big players but then when you look at their salary figures you see they would have to do some manuvering to be able to maybe do it, the Thunder just straight up have that much space to sign 2 top guys)that summer and still have those 3 on the roster. And im not saying this will happen but if you look at the tape the 2 times Lebron and Wade have answered the question when asked if they would/or are planning to play with each other they have just smiled at the camera for a second . So read what you want into that. I know its a smaller market then other places that are being mentioned James will go , but also its a brand new franchise that Lebron and Wade could completely run and set any record they wanted and have that entire market be theirs instead of having to share at all. But anyway just sayin think about it now that you know the firgures and let me know what you think. Im just sayin its possible and dont you think Lebron and Wade are smart enough to know if they joined together AND WITH KEVIN DURANT plus Westbrook and Green it would mean many many championships....

6-15-2009 @ 11:00PM

The deal breaker is West. He stays with Cleveland, I cannot allow them to give up that talent.

6-16-2009 @ 12:30PM

patchesnlv said...

For $20 mil, Cleveland would get a "has been" dominant player. Hopefully this trade will not take place. Cleveland needs to look to someone else to help get them over the "hump". Kerr made the mistake of purchasing Shag, and no other team else should bail him, and/or Shag out. If James wants to win a championship, perhaps he should look to play with another team that can afford to manipulate the salary cap, as other good teams do. Patch

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