Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
No Kidding, the Cavaliers may have found a way to make a big push in the East.
Cleveland’s superstar LeBron James had made comments in recent weeks about wanting to get Jason Kidd in Cleveland. Instead of completing one blockbuster trade the Cavs have reportedly retooled their roster with a pair of deadline deals to bring in four additions in Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace, and Joe Smith.
Former Celtics West and Szczerbiak are on their way to Cleveland in exchange for Donyell Marshall and Ira Newble, according to The Seattle Times.
West and Szczerbiak got shipped to Seattle from Boston on draft night in part of the deal that landed the Celtics Ray Allen.
Wallace, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and Smith come to Cleveland by way of the Chicago Bulls. Chicago will reportedly acquire Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden from Cleveland in the deal.
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the deal is all part of a three-team 11-player deal between the Bulls, Cavaliers, and Supersonics.
Cleveland currently has a record of 30-24 right with the Toronto Raptors (29-34) for the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (41-11), Detroit Pistons (39-15), and Orland Magic (34-22).
The Celtics host the Cavaliers next Wednesday at the TD Banknorth Garden.
I don't get this trade. I think the Cavs made a mistake here. Wallace's game is no where near where it was in his Detroit days. Szczerbiak hasn't been the same since his days as a T-wolf. Losing Hughes might be a good thing since his shooting is atrocious. Gooden, on the other hand, is a solid player I think they're going to miss. He provides some offense that is lacking in Wallace's game. Settling for Delonte West, a mediocre PG, also doesn't make sense since they already have one in (Gibson). In the end, I don't think they did much for themselves.
I like the deal for the Cavs, because it shows they're at least doing something.
They made the Finals last year while getting NOTHING from Hughes. Gooden isn't exactly a force. West, on the other hand, is a nice complimentary player. Being a dish-off option for LeBron might be the perfect role for him. Ditto for Wally, who might morph nicely into the Paxson/Kerr role from the MJ Bulls days. And Wallace, while overpaid, is a nice defensive presence and rebounder. Where he was kind of a head case in Chicago because he likely thought he knew everything about winning since he came over from the Pistons, he'll likely fall in line now that he's been humbled and has King LeBron there to verbally smack him around if he gets out of line.
As a C's fan, I don't like this deal at all. I was already worried about LeBron taking over a series by himself. He now has a little help. I pray my prediction of LeBron owning this conference doesn't come true, but I believe it moved a step closer to reality with this deal.