While plenty of media outlets are speculating about a potential deal between Cleveland and Phoenix,...

While plenty of media outlets are speculating about a potential deal between Cleveland and Phoenix, we’ve heard some talk of a possible trade between Cleveland and Washington actually. The deal would essentially be a cost-cutting move for the Wizards, sending Antawn Jamison and filler (Mike James) to the Cavs for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. Wallace seems likely to retire, and Pavlovic is on a non-guaranteed contract for next season. It’s not clear whether the Wizards would need to surrender the #5 pick. Jamison is attractive to the Cavs since he’s exactly the type of combo forward they were missing to match up with Orlando’s Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.

via Draft Express
No, No, No, No, No, No, And.....NO!

Draft Express does have some credibility, but this report leaves that in doubt with me. But if I were to give credence to this rumor for even a second, I'd have to assume that Grunfeld would have another move up his sleeve to make the team better. But if Jamison were to be sent to the Mistake By The Lake as purely a cost-cutting move, I can't even begin to describe how pissed I would be. -TAI

over 2 years ago Kyle Weidie 23 comments 0 recs |

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What's the Difference

Between doing this trade now, and trading Antawn for Wally three months ago? This rumor makes absolutely no sense and was probably initiated by Danny Ferry. This line especially gets me:

It’s not clear whether the Wizards would need to surrender the #5 pick.

We would need to surrender our #5 pick why exactly? For the privilege of obtaining Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic? Why not throw in Gilbert and Caron too, that would really save us money. Absolute poppycock.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jun 16, 2009 8:00 AM EDT reply actions

This has 0% chance of happening.

What’s interesting, though, is that there is still chatter in the league about the Wizards doing all they can to cut salary. Maybe there is some truth to that aspect of it? Or perhaps that was the convention wisdom at one point, and teams (like Cleveland) continue to make offers to the Wizards along those lines. If that’s the case, then it’s going to be difficult for Grunfeld to get a good deal and he’ll have to use the pick. If you are rumored to be having a fire sale, no one’s going to offer good value.

by disgrunted on Jun 16, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, and the Kevin Love to Memphis for #2 trade idea makes sense for both teams.

by disgrunted on Jun 16, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I've Heard Some Talk

About a possible trade between Toronto and Washington actually. The deal would essentially be a cost-cutting move for the Raptors, sending Chris Bosh to the Wizards for Mike James and Etan Thomas. Mike James’s and Etan Thomas’s contracts both expire after next season. It is not clear whether the Raptors would need to surrender the #9 pick.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jun 16, 2009 8:19 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe we could swap second rounders to get this done.

by MR on Jun 16, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

haha!

We should start our own ‘Draft Express’

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on Jun 16, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Don't worry.

This rumor will be up there tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on Jun 16, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Some Sense

First, Wallace isn’t going to just retire. He has talked of a buyout, getting a parting gift of sorts. So its not as easy as him just retiring. Lets say that takes care of itself…

This still doesn’t make sense unless Ernie has another deal for a PF. Scola and an extension?

Hard to fathom it, but we can’t see the other side of it, the second deal that would have to be involved. And no, the #5 pick would not be included but Cleveland’s pick at the end of the round would have to be.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 16, 2009 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

The only way this makes sense

is if Ernie has another deal in the works for Bosh or Stoudemire.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jun 16, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

Let me count the ways...

that this is ludicrous.
As cuppettcj said, the mention of Washington giving away the fifth pick along with Jamison for 2 players that they plan on cutting immediately is monumentally absurd. How would that go? “Um, we traded away our leading scorer and rebounder along with the highest draft pick we’ve had in 6 years in exchange for nobody? The good new is that we don’t have to pay Mike James anymore.”
Cleveland wants Jamison to match up with Orlando’s forwards? First time I’ve ever heard that someone wants Antawn for his D. He might make them play some D on him, but they kill us worse than they did Cleveland.

by hotplate on Jun 16, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Is it possible

… that this would get us under the tax enough to go get david lee

by gilbachi on Jun 16, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Screw David Lee.

He’s younger than Jamison but he’s not better. This trade isn’t going to happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on Jun 16, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

When you could bring in a guy who is seven years younger, 5-7 million dollars cheaper and averages a double double and is a better defender with a 7 foot wingspan to go with im sorry but ill take lee if im running an organization
AJ 22.2ppg, 8.9rpg, .468FG%
DL 16ppg,11.7rpg, .549FG%

by gilbachi on Jun 16, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Lee also played in Mike D'Antoni's offense

So the counting stats are a bit inflated. He’s also a terrible defender, just as bad as Jamison.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 16, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Very True..

Offensive stats go up when you play for d’antoni but when isiah was coaching in 06-07 he averaged a double double while playing less than thirty minutes a game… I just think that david lee would be a good player for the wizards if we were looking for a substitute for jamison and i feel that he would add a good rebounding presence that the wizards are lacking plus the fact that he could play center if we were wanting to go with a small line up

by gilbachi on Jun 16, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

No

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 16, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Abe

will not trade Jamison. It will not happen.

by Unselds on Jun 16, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

I would probably stop rooting for this team

if that trade went through. I mean, it won’t, sure. But such a trade would be beyond the pale. Sacrifice one of our best players (and a high draft pick?!?) just to make the team cost less for the management? That’s not a rebuilding plan, nor is it a “win now” strategy. I’m not one to hop on the “Abe go over the tax” soapbox much, but if EG and Abe honestly held fielding a decent team as such a low priority, then I would see no reason to invest my time and money into rooting for them.

by sierradave on Jun 16, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

The only way I would support a trade like this

Is if the Wizards gave away Jamison to a team in the East that would BEAT Cleveland. If Abe and Ernie want to give away the team, give it away to Boston or Orlando.

by disgrunted on Jun 16, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

No Legs

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Jun 16, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

would this get us under the luxury tax?

if it does, then i could see the reason for doing this. wouldn’t bother me too much to take a mulligan on AJ’s contract.

we landed a lottery pick and i’m still not seeing much in the way of any trade rumors/additions that’ll make us a likely contender next year. if we can’t add a key piece with this pick right away, i’m not sure if losing a bunch of money is good for our franchise.

kind of hard to drink the kool aid after last season.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Jun 17, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

Then they should have traded Jamison at the deadline

It makes no sense to start building a team one way, then switch mid-stream. If they believe they can contend, do everything you can to contend, costs be damned. You can’t have it both ways.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 17, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah maybe

but i can respect abe looking at the financial numbers right now and changing his mind. also, before the deadline we still had hope that we’d get the #1 pick which could have put us over the top. i don’t think the #5 helps us much in the short term. i think we’re a couple moves away so dumping salary for the immediate season makes some sense to me.

not saying i’d love this move, but it wouldn’t infuriate me at this point. (of course, no way i include the #5 pick AND jamison in a salary dump deal. that’s a joke.)

by DarrellWalkerFan on Jun 18, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions