It might not be fun for the players involved - and their families attempting to stretch roots - but there's no doubt NBA fans just love trade rumors this time of year.
Especially with the Cavaliers in possession of a couple of attractive trade assets, at the top of the standings, and with a history of making or being deeply involved in deals as the trade deadline nears. So as all of this commences, there's a couple of things you need to know about the Cavs. As of now, even with Zydrunas Ilgauskas being out for several weeks, they are not making any calls.
They're taking calls and tossing around ideas, but are pleased with their chemistry and how the team is playing. If anything, having Ilgauskas out is a chance to get a good look at rookies J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson in tough spots, not just at the end of blowouts.
Eric Snow is off the table . . . well, almost.
After the Cavs play the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 23, they intend to file paperwork to get Snow declared disabled and removed from their roster. Under the rules, Snow has to miss 41 games this season and that will be the date. If all hurdles are cleared, and there are many of them, including reviews by an independent doctor, the Cavs will save $11 million. It comes in luxury tax savings and insurance payments.
Because of this, the Cavs are not planning to use Snow's $7 million contract in a trade. If they traded him, his new team would not be able to get him declared disabled under the rules, so put that out of your mind.
The Cavs have other expiring contracts, most notably Wally Szczerbiak's $13 million deal, and they have the third highest-payroll at $90 million and a massive luxury-tax bill coming due. The savings they'll get helped them agree to take on Mo Williams' contract over the summer.
Now, should a superstar come available and Snow's contract be required to get it done, well that might be a different story. But barring that, don't expect him to be used.
The Cavs are attached to Hickson because of his potential.
His name has been in some rumors, and it's not just as a throw-in or to balance out a trade. Hickson's raw talent is special for someone his size and he's also shown he has some offensive skill. He's just 20 years old and the team feels like most of his mistakes are fixable with experience and coaching.
The Cavs like draft picks.
When thinking up a trade, some fans like to just assume a draft pick can be tossed in to sweeten the pot. The Cavs have a first-round pick this summer and it is tradable, unlike previous seasons when they weren't allowed because of league rules on trading picks in back-to-back seasons. But unless it is part of a deal for a star, don't expect them to give it up.
Cavs GM Danny Ferry learned how important even late first-round picks can be. After all, that is where the Spurs got Tony Parker when Ferry was there. They have been scouting colleges full force and intend to keep their pick.
The Cavs also have two second-round picks next June, theirs and the Bulls, but the lower one is owed to the Miami Heat. That was the price when the Cavs traded for Jackson, whom the Heat used a second-round pick on in the 2008 draft. The Cavs got the Bulls' pick as part of the 10-player trade last February.
