Since the Cavs started their record setting 26 game losing streak and quickly made their way towards nearly setting the record for fewest wins in a single season (whew, we sidestepped that one with ten wins!), I’ve been completely against any trades before the looming trade deadline.
Let’s be honest. The season is over. There is no reason to try and turn things around at this point. The Cavs need to cut their losses (ha, pun intended!) and move on. The only good thing that will come from this season is getting better picks in the draft because of our dreadful record. (Remember, aaaaallllllllllllllllllll the way back in 2003 when a little team called the Cleveland Cavaliers ended the season with the worst record in the league, only to go on to sign some guy named Lebron James? Yeah.)
So, in my opinion, there really was no point in trading any of players right now. Sure, when the season’s over, Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Antawn Jamison need to go. Those three are worth enough that we could make some decent trades for them and clear out a bunch of players that score well but can’t play defense to save their lives. Granted, the entire team can’t play defense to save their lives, but give Byron Scott more than one season to make things happen.
So, imagine my disdain when I read that the Cavs and Clippers were considering a trade that would send Mo and Jamario Moon to LA for Baron Davis and a 1st round draft pick. However, the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.
For argument’s sake, let’s take Moon out of the discussion. In his 40 games played so far this year, he’s averaging 4.7 points and 3 rebounds per game. I could average that, and I’m 13 weeks pregnant. And 5’ 2”. And a girl. (Duh, thus the pregnant thing.) So to get rid of him in exchange for another 1st round (most likely lottery) draft pick is awesome.
So, let’s look at Mo for Davis. While Mo is (or at least used to be) a competent scorer, Davis is the better passer and therefore a better point guard. Even last season with James, one of the greatest scorers on the planet, on the team, Mo only averaged 5.3 assists per game. Davis, on the other hand, has proven how good he is at getting the ball into Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. Hopefully, with the Cavs, he could facilitate similar situations with J.J. Hickson and Antawn Jamison. As a veteran player on the Clippers, Davis has proven that he can be an effective leader with younger teammates.
Also, Davis’ contract expires in 2012, while Mo’s continues until 2013. 2012, in addition to being our last year on the planet (so says John Cusack), is also the year that Chris Paul and Dwight Howard become free agents. I know, I know, our chances of signing either one of them are basically zero, but there will be other free agents next summer, and some cleared cap space would only help the Cavs’ chances of signing better players.
To sum up, we’re looking at getting rid of a point guard who has yet to play consistently to his potential, especially this season, and a forward who comes off the bench and shoots 40% from the field for a veteran point guard with strong passing and leadership skills and an addition 1st round draft pick. That draft pick will give the Cavs two 1st round picks and two 2nd round picks. Not too shabby.
One problem this trade doesn’t solve is the fact that the Cavs haven’t played defense all year. Adding another point guard probably won’t help with that. But, one thing at a time.
I still stand by my belief that the Cavs need to accept the fact that this season is over. They shouldn’t make any other deals before the draft. But if a trade had to happen, this is a pretty good one, all things considered. I definitely think the Clippers got the short end of the stick. (Short end of the ball? Of the hoop?) What the Cavs need to do now is play a little bit better, get some good draft picks, and show players around the league that they have potential. Small successes lead to bigger successes. A strong trade can beget an even stronger one. Hopefully this move has set the wheels in motion for the Cavs to build SOME kind of positive momentum going into next season and beyond.
**NOTE: I’m also okay with the trade that got Semih Erden in exchange for a future 2nd round draft pick. Lord knows the Cavs need more big men. And, with the trade of Kendrick Perkins, this move takes ANOTHER big away from Boston. Any trade that takes ANYTHING away from Boston is a good thing in my book.***
