Cavs Pick Up Big Ben and Szczerbiak

[El Torito]

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[ghost]

My first thought is "Damn, Sam Presti, you aren't afraid to make deals!". Dude has been a trading machine since he took over 8 months ago. I am curious to see how much $$ is coming of the Sonics books at the end of this year now.

I think Cleveland made a great deal here.

 

[JC13545]

Doesnt do much for the future, makes them older and they still cant beat Detroit or Boston.

 

[UTeric32]

I think its a good trade for CLE and makes them better. Gibson and Wally can step in for Hughes, and Ben is an upgrade over Gooden. But Ben IMO is basically just another Anderson Varejao at this point...active on D, sucks on O. While probably a good trade, I dont think it takes them to the "next level". I just think it puts them back to where they were last season.

 

[HuskerNKingwood]

I'm in agreement with that.

A second round series b/w Cleveland and Detroit now becomes interesting. Interesting that the Pistons are just 3-12 on the road in the second and third rounds of the playoffs the last two years.

 

[ghost]

Cleveland has already beaten Detroit in the playoffs and should have beat them two years ago in the playoffs. All this was with the guys that just got traded. When you have LeBron, not much else matters. They added a good shooter in Wally and a replacement for Gooden in Wallace. Offensively, Gooden is a better option than Wallace, but if they are having to rely on major points from that position anyway, they are in trouble. I think West is a nice touch as well.

 

[DKR777]

I don't understand this trade from Cleveland's perspective at all. You guys realize Ben Wallace absolutely sucks now, don't you? He's like 49. This isn't 2004 anymore. Anderson Varejao is a far better player.

And Wally? C'mon.

 

[PanzerDSS]

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[eflow24]

Man this is a trade. That is a lot of players swapping players. The Cavs actually IMPROVED salary cap-wise and they picked up a couple of good shooters. I think this could work with Lebron.

I sure like seeing wild trades like this.

 

[Third Coast]

Ben Wallace is the worst bang for the buck in the league.

 

[Statalyzer]

This trade helps Chicago the most IMO.

 

[UTeric32]

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[lnghrn005]

This trade is great for Cleveland. Joe Smith replaces whatever Gooden gives them, plus he's a much smarter player. Wallace will be re-energized and will go back to being one of the best weak side defenders in the league. Z will continue to produce. Varajeo will come off the bench with Smith. Wally is a shooter. He will get a lot of open looks now. West is a annoying defender, decent shooter, and can run the point fairly well plus create for himself. Basically a younger slight smaller cheaper Hughes.

As for Presti, man this guy is good. He's already got 3 1st round picks from other teams. Suns 2008(won't be a high but still should be able to get good talent), Spurs 2009(which may or may not be high, depends on how the Spurs re-tool), Suns 2010(which could be high as 4 or 5 of their key players will be over 34).

 

[p_town_horn]

Boobie and Serbiak[sp?] could really light things up from the perimeter when they are on the court together. Especially if James and Wallace are pounding the defense in the paint, Boobie could become a big perimeter scorer.

 

[adUTleander]

If i'm not mistaken, the Cavs are also getting Delonte (sp?) West, and if this is true this is highway robbery in my opinion. West is a very capable offensive and defensive threat, and would be good either off the bench, or as the starting PG. Lebrons the one making everything happen anyways, thats just another person to hit an open three. And to the person that said they "still" can't beat the pistons or the celtics, are you already forgetting the fact that the Cavs were in the finals just last year? The cavs got much better with this deal IMO.