Links to the Present: February 6, 2012
2012-02-06
“Players and coaches around the league are starting to recognize how special Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is. But will it be enough to earn him a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team? The All-Star reserves will be announced on Thursday. Varejao had 17 points and 17 rebounds in the Cavs’ 91-88 upset victory over Dallas on Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena. He’s making a late push to be an All-Star by averaging 16.3 points and 17.3 rebounds in his last three games.” [Bob Finnan]
“Ramon Sessions is going to get traded before the deadline. We already know the Lakers are interested (although that is tied to the complex Dwight Howard trade situation), and there are a number of other teams that are interested in the point guard. Teams were a little concerned because Sessions is a two-year commitment, but he may make that easier by opting out of the last year of his deal. The price for Sessions will be at least a first round pick” [Kurt Helin]
“The upcoming schedule brings a battery of high-octane foes in Miami, the Los Angeles Clippers, your eight-seed Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlantic Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers. What the end result of these games are remains to be seen, but if the last two weeks of play are any indication, the win total may not be the deciding factor when giving this current Cavaliers team a year-end grade. Reading between the lines, it’s tough to argue that this team has not only turned things around faster than anyone deemed possible, but that Chris Grant and his litany of assets can only make things better.” [Scott Sargent]
“Cavs indeed getting calls from teams wanting Varejao, I’m told, but he’s played himself to near-untouchable status while all focus on Kyrie.” [Marc Stein]
“Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant has several monumental decisions facing him before the March 15 trade deadline. The biggest might be whether to trade center Anderson Varejao. Several contenders around the league would love to get their hands on the rebounding machine. They’ve given no indication whether they’ll deal him but might be inclined to hang on to their best defensive player. They’d likely be able to get a high first-round pick for him.” [FSOhio]
Yeah, that Mychal Thompson move flew under the Radar. I’d say there was a deal in the works, but really, I think they just didn’t want to guarantee his contract. I think you’ll see him or Manny back on a 10 day.
Is this idiotic? I can’t tell. Bear in mind, I think the odds of this trade happening are hovering around 1-1.5%, but it accomplishes a lot of what each of these teams want to happen. Detroit gets a serviceable PF (how good is a Varejao-Monroe front court?), and gets out of Ben Gordon’s contract (and Varejao is actually movable if they want to get out of his contract). Cleveland gets a scorer at SG (I really like the Alonzo Gee is coming on, but it’s a shallow position) and a high lottery pick, as well as a mid-first-rounder.* LA gets… Read more »
@Matt: It’s spelled Varejao! I think the front office should be open to trading Andy, just like any other player on the team. If we can get a top 10 pick, why not consider it? I could see a draft day trade going down with him, though. I would trade Andy for a guy like Brad Beal and then take a center (maybe Meyers Leonard) with our own pick. That would give us: Irving Beal Gee/Casspi Thompson Leonard Not too shabby considering that doesn’t even include another 1st rounder from a potential Sessions trade and a future 1st from Sacramento.… Read more »
No mention on the Cavs waiving Mychel Thompson?
I’d do a 1st of any kind for Sessions in a second. All we do on here is rip his D. His O is sporadic at best. Is he suddenly going to turn something on when they start winning? Pick up an old crafty vet in the trade or in the offseason, someone who can backup kyrie and maybe teach him a thing or two. Unless you guys thing everything Kyrie is doing on the floor he owes to Ramon…
If Z-Bo was out for the year, would Memphis trade their pick and Mayo for Andy?
You can do a multiple team trade involving a contender who would receive Andy and a lotto team who would surrender a high pick. The possibilities abound.
You’ve got it! Something like Brook (his stock has never been lower) + top 5 protected 1st rounder (no way anyone lets us luck into the #1 again).
Maybe the Nets?
Agree with you mallory. Also, I don’t understand the assumption that we must trade sessions. Last I checked its not that easy to get a solid back-up with the 25th-ish pick in the draft, so why would we trade a young good backup pg for just such a pick? I guess if they don’t think they would be keeping him after this year because of the option and he’ll want too much money or ramon just wants to get out from under kyrie, then it would be worth it. Otherwise, no way! I haven’t heard too much complaining from the… Read more »
Andrew –
What contender has a top 10 pick? Why would they give up their chance for a stud for someone who isn’t long term?
This is a classic case of he’s-worth-more-to-us-than-you
I love Varejao as much as any other Cavs fan, but if we are capable of getting a “high 1st round pick”, which I assume is a top 10 pick, then I would look the other way when the trade goes down. Varejao is playing his heart out right now and trying to win every game. He deserves a chance to be on a winner and using that extreme endurance in the post season. I’d hate to see him go but I’d love to see him get another shot at a title while he’s in his prime. He deserves that… Read more »