Yeah, lots of thoughts really.

Might make sense to wait to see where a lot of these guys land before drafting.

Just took a look at the Cavs roster. No wonder I couldn't remember most of the players, there don't seem to be too many impressive names there. Lots of point guards and lots of tall guys. Who should we expect would be the shooters-and-scorers among this bunch? Would Sessions play 2-guard? Are any among Harangody, Harris, Eyanga, Casspi likely to be offensive forces?

The roster will probably look a bit different by the time the season starts.

The delay of the season can only help Kyrie Irving. His health was in question.

This makeshift season will be nothing more than a massive trial and error for the Cavs as they continue to transition. The dumping of Baron Davis' contract can only help Gilbert.

Find this hard to believe....

Baron Davis - G - Cavaliers

The Cleveland Plain Dealer said Thursday that there is about a "60 percent" chance that the Cavs will not use amnesty on Baron Davis.

They also predicted that Davis would start alongside No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving, and if this holds true a late-season swoon for Davis appears likely. While Davis would hold the reins while Irving gets up to speed, they will invariably be turned over to the rookie late in the year.

Well they have to pay him no matter what. Since they do not plan to sign a big name free agent, they might just keep him.

Gilbert does not want to be paying Davis and Davis is playing with LeBron in Miami.

Anyone that is cut as an amnesty player will want to go play in Miami.

rusty2 - that might or might not happen. (Miami)

Unlike 2005, where amnesty guys became free agents - this year anyone who is released via amnesty goes on WAIVERS. He can be claimed by anyone under the cap. (I don't know if there is an order to the waivers, like reverse record of the year before).

So now, players released in amnesty do not necessarily control their destiny.

Yes, teams still do have to pay the guy - but with no cap hit.

Also, teams might not amnesty guys like Davis and Rashard Lewis because they only have 2 years on their contracts. If you can get through this year, they then have valuable expiring contracts.

So amnesty guys, overall, will tend to be the ones with longer contracts than 2 years.

(PS - I have been watching NBA tv too much)

Some info on the new sign and trade implications

(Warning - you may want to skip to the summary. The rest may induce headaches to all but the most loyal fan)



The financial ramifications of trades involving Dwight Howard and Chris Paul

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 09:26 AM PST

Regarding Dwight Howard and Chris Paul and their respective trade desires, it is worth explaining in dollars and sense why they’d prefer to be dealt sooner rather than later.

In order for them to get the most possible money, they’ll need to finagle a way into landing in their desired destinations prior to the trade deadline.

And despite all the hand-wringing over the owners’ capitulation in negotiations over the so-called Carmelo Anthony rule, neither of those guys is likely to do an extend-and-trade.

Here’s why:

From the NBA memo sent out to general managers regarding terms of the new collective bargaining agreement:

_ Extension-and-trades permitted, except maximum length of such contract is 3 years (e.g. 2 new years if player during last year of his old contract and max annual increases are 4.5 percent. If a player signs a contract extension for a longer period or higher amount that would have been permitted for an extension-and-trade, then the team is prohibited from trading the player for a period of six months following the date of the extension. If a team acquired a player in a trade, then, for a period of six months following the date of the trade, the team is prohibited from signing the player to a contract extension for a longer period or higher amount than would have been permitted for an extension-and-trade.

Let’s look at this in a little more detail:

Both Howard and Paul are under contract for two more years but have opt-outs that would allow them to become free agents July 1, 2012.

Any extensions they signed between now and June 30, 2012, could only take them through the 2013-14 season because of the above-noted 3-year rule (the upcoming 2011-12 season counts as one year, the 2012-13 option years on both players’ contracts count as Year 2, and the extensions they would receive as part of the extend-and-trade deals would count as Year 3).

If the Magic decided to fast-track a Howard trade (as Marc Stein reports they are strongly considering), Orlando could only give him a one-year extension (and the maximum raise would be 4.5 percent off his 2012-13 salary) in an extend-and-trade deal. So Howard, who is due to make $19.54 million in 2012-13 if he does NOT opt out, could sign an extension that would pay him $20.415 million for the 2013-14 season, after which he would be a free agent.

He would be much better served to opt out of his contract and sign a five-year deal with 7.5 percent annual raises with the team that acquired him for a total of $110.8 million over 5 years.

The trick is getting to his desired destination. If he was traded somewhere he wasn’t happy, he could leave as an unrestricted free agent but would be limited to a 4-year deal with 4.5 percent annual raises.

Paul is on the books for $16.36 million this season and $17.8 million next season (player option) — the same money that Deron Williams is due to make from the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets. (This is why Williams’ agent said Thursday his client is not going to sign an extension with the Nets. If he did, he would guarantee himself $57.34 million through 2014-15. If he opts out and then re-signs with the Nets, he makes $100.2 million over five years on his next contract.)

If Paul is traded to the New York Knicks or another preferred destination (is there a choice 1A for CP3?) before the deadline in late February, he would be eligible to get the same $100.2 million that Williams is going to be offered by the Nets.

But again, he would have to be traded to a team he wanted to stay with. (Also, it is worth noting that Paul has a 15 percent trade kicker that would NOT kick in because it would raise his salary above the maximum permissible amount).

If Paul stays in New Orleans or is dealt someplace he doesn’t want to stay, the max he could reap by leaving is $75.8 million over 4 years — either through a sign-and-trade or an outright unrestricted free agency signing.

Similarly, if Howard plays out the season with the Magic and opts out, the best deal he could get in a sign-and-trade or an outright unrestricted free agency signing would be $80.5 million over four years. (A team would need $18.9 million in cap space to make him a max offer.)

So, to summarize, here are the options and the financial implications for each player.

Howard:

_ Plays the entire season in Orlando, opts out and ends up elsewhere (either by signing as a free agent or through a sign-and-trade): $80.5 million for 4 years.

_ Gets traded in February, opts out, then re-signs with the team that acquired him: $110.8 million for 5 years.

Paul:

_ Plays the entire season in New Orleans, opts out and ends up elsewhere (either by signing as a free agent or through a sign-and-trade): $75.8 million for 4 years.

_ Gets traded in February, opts out, then re-signs with the team that acquired him: $100.2 million for 5 years.

Do the math, add up the differences, and there are 55 million reasons why both those guys might want to be wearing different uniforms by the time March 1 rolls around.

IF I am not mistaken, if this had been in effect when the Cavs had Lebron, they would have been forced to deal him that last year (probably by Lebron) and gotten something back for him.

Which is what I wish they had done anyways.

Never would have happened. The franchise lost almost half of its value in one day. Gilbert had to play it exactly as he did.

As to amnesty. A lot of players will be available to the top teams. Gilbert does not want to be paying players for those teams. Miami desperately wants a point guard.

Just a thought. Could Cleveland trade Baron Davis and Gibson to Orlando for a #1 and Arenas. Orlando can then trade Jameer and get another player. That assumes we can use our amnesty on Arenas, But maybe thats not possible. I suppose though maybe that is still worthwhile cuz I can't see Gibson helping us and Davis, who I like, is in Kyirie's way.

Dwight Howard has kind of laid down the gauntlet in Orlando. Get him Chris Paul and he stays.

Thompson ready to roll in role with Cavs


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Sam Amico covers the Cavaliers and an array of other topics for FOXSportsOhio.com. His national NBA columns run twice each week on FOXSports.com. Prior to joining FOX, Amico wrote for NBA.com. He is a native of Akron and began his journalism career at daily newspapers ranging from West Virginia to Wyoming.


December 5, 2011

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Tristan Thompson is just fine with being perhaps the most ignored No. 4 overall draft pick in NBA history.

“I got nothing to worry about,” Thompson said, laughing. “The pressure’s on Kyrie.”

Kyrie is Kyrie Irving, the point guard out of Duke who the Cavaliers chose with the first overall pick. Thompson, a power forward from Texas, was selected three picks later by the same team.

Both enter their rookie seasons with high expectations -- or at least the expectation that they will help return the Cavs to relevancy. That’s a lot of weight to carry for a couple of young guys.

Adding to it for Thompson is the fact the Cavs traded J.J. Hickson, last season’s starting power forward. Hickson was shipped to Sacramento for small forward Omri Casspi just before the lockout, potentially freeing some minutes for Thompson.

Still, Thompson didn’t appear to be nervous after a workout at the team’s practice facility Monday. The workout also included Casspi, Samardo Samuels and Luke Harangody.

“I’m gonna come in and give it all I got,” Thompson said. “I’ll do what I do well, and if Coach (Byron) Scott puts me in the rotation, I’ll be glad.”

Thompson is 6-foot-8 and around 235 pounds. The Cavs fell in love with his athleticism near the basket and 7-2 wingspan -- and while he was projected to be drafted anywhere from sixth to 10th, many in the organization feel they got a steal.

“We actually had him ranked much higher than fourth,” Cavs GM Chris Grant said after the draft.

But again, the Cavs sort of stood alone in that assessment. Not that any of it matters to Thompson.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” he said. “Some people are glad they drafted me, some people are wondering if they should have taken the Lithuanian kid (Jonas Valanciunas, who went fifth to Toronto). I just gotta come in, I guess, and play my game and win some hearts.”

Nor is Thompson overly concerned with the lockout-shortened season, or the limited practice time that comes with it.

After all, he spent much of his free time in Texas, working out with the likes of Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, as well as other members of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s some pretty good company, especially for a 20-year old who is just entering the league.

Soon, Thompson will get to train with his new teammates in Cleveland. Yes, that includes Irving.

“He’s the No. 1 pick and he outright deserved that, to have the spotlight on him,” Thompson said. “He’s one of the faces of the franchises, so to speak.”

And that’s just fine with Thompson.

“I’m just coming in and doing what Tristan Thompson does well,” he said. “Hopefully, the fans of Cleveland will love what I do and I’ll help win some games.”

Cavs Notes

* Thompson said he and Irving talk "all the time.” Irving returned to school during the lockout and is currently finishing his classwork. He is expected to arrive in Cleveland at the end of the week, when training camp officially begins.

* The Cavs added Nate Tibbetts as an assistant coach on Monday. Tibbetts had been the head coach of the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League. He also did some work, mostly involving defense, with the Thunder.

* The addition of Tibbetts also brought to rest rumors that the Cavs would hire former guard Craig Ehlo, currently an assistant with the Eastern Washington University men’s program.

* The league will release its 66-game schedule Tuesday at 7 p.m. in an NBA TV special. The Cavs are expected to tip off Dec. 26. Speculation has them opening at home against Toronto -- but only because the Raptors were that day’s opponent on the pre-lockout schedule.

Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO

There is rising sentiment within the New Orleans Hornets' organization to trade Chris Paul before the 2011-12 season even starts if he hasn't signed an extension with the team by then, according to sources close to the situation.

Sources told ESPN.com that Paul and Hornets general manager Dell Demps did have their expected sitdown at the team's practice facility Monday and that the tone of the meeting was amicable. But Paul, sources said, did not tell the Hornets that he is prepared to sign an extension before the regular season opens Christmas Day, which only increases the likelihood that the Hornets deal the star guard this month.

That, of course, is contingent upon finding a palatable deal, but sources that the Hornets are determined to avoid the circus that swirled around the Denver Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony's standoff with the Nuggets went from September until February's trade deadline before Denver finally completed an extend-and-trade deal with the New York Knicks.

It has long been assumed around the league that keeping Paul made the league-owned Hornets more attractive to prospective buyers, but sources told ESPN.com on Monday that the Hornets believe that they will be more appealing to potential suitors if they can stabilize the organization by bringing a resolution to the Paul saga as soon as possible.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks have shown the most interest in trading for Paul, according to sources briefed on the talks. One source told ESPN.com that virtually every team in the league has called, including the Los Angeles Lakers, but the source echoed a Yahoo! Sports report from earlier Monday that the Hornets and Lakers have yet to seriously discuss specifics.

The Clippers and Warriors, sources say, are the Hornets' preferred trade partners, but both California teams have hesitations because they want to be sure that Paul is committed to stay before surrendering some of the prized assets that New Orleans is chasing.

One source close to the process told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne that the Clippers have informed New Orleans that young guard Eric Gordon will not be included in any deal because Paul hasn't given L.A. any assurances that he's willing to sign with the Clippers for the long-term.

The Hornets also have strong interest in Lakers center Andrew Bynum, but the Lakers lack the additional young players and draft picks to sweeten a deal. The Clippers, however, possess players such as restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe and an unprotected 2012 first-round pick from Minnesota. It is also widely presumed that the Lakers prefer to include Bynum in the trade offer they're expected to extend to the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard.

There is also a small handful of teams that has informed the Hornets they are prepared to trade for Paul with no assurance that they can keep him beyond this season. That list, sources say, includes the Rockets, Boston Celtics and defending champion Dallas Mavericks.

Each of those teams would be gambling that Paul would be won over by his new surroundings and either elect to play out the final season of his current contract (valued at $17.8 million in 2012-13) or opt out of his contract on July 1, 2012, and sign a new deal. Paul's 2011-12 salary is listed at $16.4 million.

Boston would appear to have the most to offer in such a scenario if the Celtics are willing to include point guard Rajon Rondo, but sources say that the Hornets are convinced that they can receive more from any of the so-called gambling teams than from the Knicks, who are widely regarded as Paul's No. 1 preferred destination.

Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine. Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com

Windhorst believes that the Cavs will not use their amnesty on Baron Davis. He says that Davis has too much value around the league to cut. He expects Sessions or Davis to be traded by the deadline.

Feels if Davis was cut that he would go and play for his hometown Lakers. (Does not think that Paul will go there.)

Windhorst says that no matter what Gilbert says publicly that he would have never traded LeBron.