The Cavaliers could wind up with unrestricted free agent power forward Kris Humphriesas the third team in a blockbuster deal that would send disgruntled Orlando center Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets, who reportedly have been his preferred team all along.
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One of the teams is going to have to give the Cavs something—a first-round draft choice or, possibly, Nets swingman MarShon Brooks—to facilitate this deal. In addition, because Humphries is an unrestricted free agent, the Cavs could have just signed him if they really wanted him, so it’s possible an additional deal could be in the works.
Schmitt-Boyer thinks it’s “50-50″ as to whether this deal will happen. You can read the full details by clicking the link. Humphries is a fine bench player, but as Schmitt-Boyer points out, he’s an unrestricted free agent, so he would obviously be part of some salary cap trickeration by the Nets. The real prize would have to be one or two first-rounders from either the Nets or Magic (the Nets, most likely). The deal isn’t really concrete enough for me to have an opinion on it, but it’s the most interesting Cavs news since the draft.
UPDATE: Via Adrian Wojnarowski:
In the proposed deal, Howard, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark would be sent to Brooklyn, and the Magic would receive the Nets’ Brook Lopez, Damion James, Sheldon Williams, Cleveland’s Luke Walton and three future first-round picks, sources said. Cleveland would receive Orlando’s Quentin Richardson, Brooklyn’s Sundiata Gaines, Kris Humphries (on a one-year guaranteed deal), a first-round pick and $3 million from the Nets. Brooklyn also would send Brooks to a fourth team to get them an additional first-round pick to send to the Magic.
I’m fine with this. Humphries on a one-year deal is much more appealing than Humphries on a four-year deal, and Richardson has two years and nearly six million left on his deal. (The second year of that deal is contingent on Q picking up his player option for the 2013-14 season.) The Cavs could pretty easily buy him out if they didn’t want him. And Cleveland is the only city in the world that even remembers who Sundiata Gaines is.
The only Nets fan I know loves Marshon and also likes Humphries a lot. Those were his two favorite players last year. I am all about this trade, as it also makes Varejao somewhat redundant and lets us get high value for him still if we trade now (although Andy is my 2d favorite player on the Cavs and has been for ages, at some point it just makes sense to trade high if we get a replacement who is serviceable at the position).
Looks like we’re getting rid of Luke Walton’s contract if we do it and get a 1st. No Brooks in recent talks. I’m fine with it.
This would be another smart salary cap move in the same mold as the Baron and Walton trades. I think Brooks would be a good complement to Waiters and fill out our backcourt rotation. A draft pick would probably be used like the Sessions pick: packaged with some other picks to move up and get “their guy”.
Wojniarowski suggests Cavs would trade away Walton and receive Quentin Richardson, Sundiata Gaines, Humphries (yrs?), a first round pick and $3M.
1. Is Gaines not an unrestricted free agent right now? Would he be signed (for too many $) & traded in order to bloat Nets payroll prior to trade for Howard? (much like Humphries)
2. Given that QR makes a lot less than Walton, looks like the proposed deal is to use some of Cavs salary cap space not for next season but the following year (when QR will still be owed $2.8 but Walton will be on his next adventure). Gotta be careful with that space.
3. Could this really about Jason Richardson?
Seems a steep price to pay for a low first round pick and a KH rental.
From Yahoo..
“In the proposed deal, Howard, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark would be sent to Brooklyn, and the Magic would receive the Nets’ Brook Lopez, Damion James, Sheldon Williams, Cleveland’s Luke Walton and three future first-round picks, sources said. Cleveland would receive Orlando’s Quentin Richardson, Brooklyn’s Sundiata Gaines, Kris Humphries (on a one-year guaranteed deal), a first-round pick and $3 million from the Nets. Brooklyn also would send Brooks to a fourth team to get them an additional first-round pick to send to the Magic. ”
“In current structure of deal, Orlando gets Brook Lopez, Damion James, Shelden Williams, Luke Walton and 3 or 4 1st rounders, sources tell Y!”
As Colin said, I don’t mind Humphries as a player (he put up decent numbers last season). But other than that, all the Cavs are getting is a first round pick from the Nets (which will probably be around 26-27) and a few inexepnsive vets. Brooks would go to another team. It’s OK, but nothing to get too excited about.
Interesting fodder. I don’t mind both Humphries and Brooks as players (I actually very much wanted the Cavs to trade for a second first rounder in 2011 to select Brooks), but both are somewhat redundant given the Cavs just drafted a SG and a big. No point in giving Brooks 20 minutes a night when you’re trying to develop Waiters, and same relationship bewteen Humphries/Tristan Thompson.
A first round pick in this scenario would likely be one of the lowest in the first round, given the Nets would be stacked.
In any event, I’m reading it won’t happen in this structure because Humphries won’t sign a one year deal. And it would be hard to find a 4th team to take on Brooks, as teams across the NBA are reluctant to have any hand in creating another “Big 3″ monster in the Miami/OKC/Lakers mold.
I say it’s much ado about nothing. Fun reading though.
This probably won’t benefit the Cavs too much, but getting money and draft picks is a net positive, plus you have an expiring contract for next year and you give help build a team with an elite PG and Elite C – two things Miami fears most.
Never know with picks. Make sure it isn’t protected too well (maybe top 10). Who knows, maybe this new super team implodes and we get a mid-first rounder. Not likely, but eating Hump’s contract for a year is worth the chance.
I’m for the deal because the Cavs can pick up a future first rounder and then be able to trade Varejao or Humphries for another young player or future first rounder. The trade would also give the Heat a legit obstacle to owning the East for the next two to four years.
I’m against the trade because you’d be building a team that the Cavs will have trouble beating in a few years. Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace will regress each year though.
It also depends on when they get that pick. It probably won’t be next year. You can trade a pick 7 years into the future I believe and you cannot deal back to back future picks. So the Nets can deal their own 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 picks in the deal. If the Cavs get the 2019 pick with little or no protections it could have value. It’s never a bad thing to own deep future draft picks to keep or use as trade assets. The Bulls own the Bobcats 2016 unprotected first rounder from the Tyrus Thomas deal. Also by 2019 the Nets could be garbage and the Cavs could be capped out.
Watching the Pistons/Jazz summer league. Marquee matchup up of Kanter/Drummond, which would be a dream battle if either was good at basketball.
This is really a win/win. Get rid of the EXTREMELY overpaid Luke Walton and get in two real pro/rotation guy in Humphries and Richardson? Plus a backup PG? I’m down.
The pick wont be great, but who cares? It essentially fills our FA holes while costing us very little in the long and short term. AND it gives us a potential permanent rotation guy in Hump.
With the updated version, I’m on board. Nothing that cripples the Cavs going into 2013-14 season. Possibly trade Hump’s expiring at the deadline. And yet another draft pick which means we should expect to package the two low firsts for a medium first.
I’m in favor of this *if* the Cavs own player options on Hump’s contract. If he continues his nightly double-double production, he’s well worth picking up a second year option…if not, then we don’t have to keep him around after the first year.
Also, put me in the camp of NOT wanting Brooks and preferring taking back an unprotected future draft pick instead. Unless the Cavs could trade next year’s Heat/Lakers pick for Brooks, he’s not worth it. Only seen him in a few games, but he seems to be just a black hole that plays no defense.
An added tidbit? Brooks just went 0-10 with 4 turnovers in the opening summer-league game…woof…… If Waiters really has room to grow, Brooks shouldn’t be taking minutes away from him and would just end up as a “spark off the bench” guy anyway.
This trade really isn’t that exciting all things considered. If we acquired Brooks it would be a bigger deal, but then with us drafting Waiters the coaching staff would have some big decisions to make. Bench Brooks, or your #4 pick? What is Brooks outplays Waiters? Fans already questioned the pick in the first place, so perhaps a no-win situation there.
Humphries and Varejao on the same team is a bit redundant. You could trade 1 of them and not miss a beat. Varejao is more hustle, but more injury prone as well. Humphries may actually be the better player, but I have read that he may be a cancer in the locker room. Also, the last thing the FO wants here is a circus and Humphries has too much baggage surrounding him for the team to want him long term. I’m also not sure how many teams are interested in him either because he is a UFA yet no word of an offer for a guy who puts up a double double? Thats not a good sign.
Lastly, the Nets draft pick would be pretty low. In the weaker East, they will consistently be right there with the Heat and Chicago for best record in the East/NBA. With the picks being given to Orlando I wonder when we would even get the pick.
I say just stand pat like we have been and stay out of the ridiculous Free Agency. Owners throwing money at marginal players. Teams making one-sided deals/trades that favor the BETTER team. Makes no sense whatsoever and I dont want the Cavs to have any fault in it.
Lastly, sorry I know this is a long post, Orland is stupid. They should have taken the Rockets draft picks and Lowry. Especially given the favorably contract Lowry has. That dead is better than the poo poo platters they are being offered now. Orlando couldn’t win it with Dwight, and he is worlds better than Lopez. Bynum lines up with Kobe and Gasol and he couldnt get it done! (No offense to Bynum though, I think he can actually be better than Dwight overall). I guess I can’t make fun of them too much though, they will be getting more for Dwight than we got for Lebron.
Whoa.. so we’re getting all of that while at the same time giving up only Luke Walton?
Brooks is going to the Clippers btw so we aren’t stuck with him.
Deron Williams isn’t elite. Hes a very very good offensive PG with no D. Obviously Howard will help that but hes a substantial step down from Paul/Rose and doesn’t have the upside of Irving/Rubio. In 2 years hes likely the 5th-7th best PG in the league.
I actually really like the Gaines pickup. He had decent performance when Williams was out.
I think if Humphries only signs a 1yr deal, then take it. Even if its like 10mil. Get that draft pick, get rid of Walton’s 6+mil contract, plus 3 mil cash…. Its like getting a player or two, and a free draft pick for doing nothing.
The bad thing is that Humphries wants like a 4year contract. We don’t need him, or 4 years of him. He isn’t bad at all, but def doesn’t fit into the plan. If it can be 1 year guaranteed, then okay, then kick him to the curb. The Cavs will not take on a big 4 year contract for him. Especially since Bynum is available next year.
If Howard’s going to go to Brooklyn, I’d like to see the Cavs get something out of it. It would also bring a smile to my face to see him get traded to a team he doesn’t want to go to, like the Rockets.
“Brooks shouldn’t be taking minutes away from him and would just end up as a “spark off the bench” guy anyway.”
But we NEED a spark-off-the-bench guy. Badly. I would like this deal a lot more if we were getting Brooks. Don’t understand why we wouldn’t take him and need the Clippers to become involved to take him.
@Cranky: At some point, the Cavs just won’t have enough resources to develop all of the young players they are bringing in, right? I’m sure that they thought about taking him, but there’s a reason that Orlando doesn’t want him either I would think…and Orlando is *clearly* going into rebuilding-mode.
If both Orlando and the Cavs said he isn’t worth a late-first rounder as rebuilding teams…and they had to hunt around and find the Clippers of all teams willing to give up a pick for him…that doesn’t bode well, right?
I could see the Cavs giving back the Lakers/Heat pick for next year for him, but I’m only saying that because A: All accounts point to a top-heavy weak draft next year, and B: With the Lakers getting Nash, and the Heat getting Allen, those will likely both be LATE picks barring injuries. But I’m assuming they are wondering why they should bring in yet another young guy to water down the development effort. They already have Kyrie and Tristan and 3 rookies coming in, can they really afford to bring in a 6th rookie/sophomore player to develop who doesn’t seem to fit the system and isn’t particularly great at anything other than volume-shooting?
But what other SG do we have to come off the bench? Boobie and his annual parade of injuries?
Is all this really worth our trouble? I mean, I guess there’s a little value there for us, but the Nets and Magic NEED this trade. We shouldn’t be helping them without a clear benefit to us. After all, they’re the competition.
How is getting rid of Luke Walton’s contract, getting $3 million, getting Humphries (and possibly Brooks), and getting multiple other assets (low 1st-round pick, Richardson and Gaines, whether they’re traded or cut or actually play) of no clear benefit?
I don’t even know if i like the trade, unless they think they can move Humphries elsewhere. I think he’s under-rated, but i also doubt that he’ll actually want to resign in Cleveland for a reasonable amount of money. And, as much as i hate how ubiquitous this argument has become, he makes you just good enough this season to be mediocre and get a worse draft pick.
But at the same time, i wouldn’t say it doesn’t have any clear benefit. He would definitely be a major asset to the frontcourt, and you can either waive Richardson for more cap room or try to flip his contract next season or something.
Humphries could end up filling the role Collison has with OKC. He’d eventually be a big coming off the bench and just grinding it out. Okay D, good rebounding and the occasional put back. The whole Kardashian marriage gave this guy a bad rap. Maybe Jay-Z is trying to get rid of Kim’s ex for Kanye’s sake. That would be an awkward locker room visit.
Looks as if Charlotte is stepping in for the Cavs in this trade. I say that’s a good thing for us. Humphries/Richardson/Gaines? If we’re gonna make any moves in free agency, why in the world would we want that trio?
Here is the fundamental problem with trading for Humphries: He’s not a bad player. Are we in a position to *want* a good player on a 1-year rental?
He’s been averaging 0.182 Wins Produced per 48 minutes over the last 3 years – which given his usage pattern (near-starter’s minutes) has equaled an average of 7.4 wins per year.
In fact, this is so not-a-bad-player-at-all, that you have to wonder – what is the point of a short-term rental?
Either we are interested in him long-term for when the Cavs actually get good again (in 2-4 years) – which would be a tacit nod to the fact that TT may not be the answer – or we want a crappier player to play only 1 year for us.
To obtain a semi-good player for 1 year won’t help us. Imagine if he were to get us 7 extra wins this year. That might take us from the #7 draft pick to the #11 or 12. Perhaps even to the lower end of the playoffs – #13/#14.
That drop in draft positioning alone makes a end-of-the-first-round draft pick from the suddenly good Nets not worth it. The #27 pick in the draft isn’t good enough to trade yourself back up from #13 to #7.
Meanwhile, he then leaves after 1 year, and we go back to losing the 7+ wins he was able to get us… after he already hurt our draft positioning.
Do the deal. If Humphries wants a 4 year contract then abide, the dude is a double double machine. At the end of the season flip either him or Andy in a trade for a pick or another piece. Everybody keeps talking about luring a key FA to Cleveland next summer with our cap space but if you haven’t been paying attention teams are no longer letting players walk for nothing which means we need desirable pieces (picks/players) for a sign and trade if we actually want a shot at anyone solid. Seeing as we’re trying to build through the recent drafts we need pieces other than the players we just drafted. Its not like we’re gonna get Bynum or Love (don’t see them coming to CLE in the first place, but for the sake of the argument) in exchange for some late 1st rounders and our C-Leaguers (“Hey guys guess what, we’re calling you up to the big league. Just make sure you don’t make a positive impact or it’s right back to the D-League with you!”) . We have the cap space to absorb the contracts and move one of the bigs next year and make a decent FA signing down the road. Why not pull the trigger on a deal that benefits us and wags a giant middle finger at Lebron in the process.
Pete, most of the teams that aren’t “letting players walk” are teams with restricted FAs, or teams whose players wanted to go to a city that was over the cap. Otherwise players did just walk. There are a lot of unrestricted free agents next year and restricted Free Agents whose teams will be well over the cap. Sure, it might not be the pick of the litter, but there will be FAs. If we want Humphries so bad, and he wants to play for cleveland (which is a prerequisite for this trade anyways) then just sign him outright and forget about helping two opposing conference teams. How valuable is the Nets 2015 draft pick when they have Dwight and Deron? 25th ish? Plus I’ll take Andy over Humphries every day, he’s not much older and is a much better defender.
Pete, lets definitely not make moves for the purpose of pissing off lebron, that is just stupid. He got his, lets move on and worry about the cavs. The Cavs will need to beat this “super team” too. And honestly, the cavs helping facilitate a whiny me first super star join his friends in a sexy urban locale doesn’t smack of hypocrisy to you?
Lastly, Couldn’t be more right at how stupid a 1 year rental of K humps for a future 25th pick would be. Even the people who hate the Suck for Picks have to agree that if we are going to invest in improving the team, it shouldn’t just be for 1 year, only to be set back again immediately with losing the improvement while drafting worse. Or do I underestimate how desperate people here are for an 8 seed? Its been 2 years people!! PATIENCE!
Why is everyone so ready to move Luke Walton’s contract. Come the trade deadline that is going to be a valuable contract to trade for someone far better than Kris Hump or help facilitate a trade that will actually land us some pieces instead of a guy who is gonna want to go somewhere he can have some publicity.
Ahmed, the Cavs are trying NOT to hold onto him long term. They only want a 1 year deal, he wants four. So there’s that.
I don’t want Kris Humphries on a long term deal because all his minutes will come at the expense of someone else. he’s not as good as Andy, and he’ll be taking minutes from TT, and Zeller. Also, Jones will get squeezed out too, unless he can play some 3.
@ hoopsdogg to be fair, Jones hasn’t even made the team yet!
Heaven forbid Jones, an undrafted rookie who hasn’t even made the team, get his minutes squeezed by an NBA-proven double-double machine.
You guys are bonkers sometimes.
I know he hasn’t made the team. I think he will. Most sites had him rated as the best or among the best undrafted players. IMO, signing him was like getting back one of those 2nd rounders we traded away.
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/summer_league_roster_120710.html Kevin Jones, due to bone bruise on heel, won’t be on the summer league team, but will be a training camp invite. Well, don’t I look like a schmuck.