Anderson Varejao & Sasha Pavlovic Unsigned, Cleveland Cavaliers Must Help LeBron James

August 31 07

The Akron Beacon Journal reports on the Cavaliers looking to add a couple of veterans:

League sources said the Cavs have expressed interest in 16-year veteran center Dikembe Mutombo. He has been offered a contract to stay with the Houston Rockets but has not signed while he considers options. Most think that he is likely to stay in Houston. . . . After having conversations, the Cavs might look to bring in guard Allan Houston, who is coming out of retirement, for a workout next month. . . . Second-year guard Shannon Brown was not impressive in summer league in Las Vegas, but sources said he played very well in Tim Grgurich’s camp in Vegas this month. He is expected to challenge for playing time in training camp.

My Quick Take: Last July, the Cleveland Cavaliers had momentum. They had just made their first NBA Finals appearance, erasing the haunting legacy of Michael Jordan dropping his last-second jumper on Craig Ehlo’s dome. They had LeBron James, the NBA’s brightest star and best Bobby Brown impersonator. And they had the makings of a solid supporting cast with Daniel Gibson, Sasha Pavlovic, and Anderson Varejao.

The franchise looked to be on solid ground. But looks can deceive. Today, two months later, the momentum is gone. Other Eastern Conference powers have added talent. Pavlovic and Varejao remain unsigned, so the Cavs are considering cheap veterans like Dikembe Mutombo and Allan Houston.

Cleveland’s front office has denied this rumor, but there is concern the team is financially unstable. Dan Gilbert owns the Cavaliers. Gilbert made his money in mortgages through Quicken Loans. And we all know what’s happening with the American mortgage industry. Again, these are rumors. Nothing more.

So money isn’t an issue. Fair enough. Then why squeeze valuable parts like Pavlovic and Varejao? Negotiations are one thing. Bitter two month long standoffs, even if the club lacks cap space, ruin relationships.

Cleveland did receive some good news. King James, fresh off his work at the ESPY awards, has been slated to host Saturday Night Live in October. Oh well, it’s better than nothing.

Agree or disagree? What do you think of the Cavaliers off-season moves? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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30 Comments: Anderson Varejao & Sasha Pavlovic Unsigned, Cleveland (...)

Posted by
joey
on 09.3.2007

the cavs hadn’t made a move in so long im beginning to forget about them while while everybody else is getting better its going to be hard for the cavs to even find an edge next season .

Posted by
SHOOT BOOBIE SHOOT
on 09.3.2007

Did everyone forget about Boobie Gibson??? More experience. HE IS OUR POINT GUARD! SHOOT BOOBIE SHOOT!!! .

Posted by

on 09.2.2007

Totally ridiculous. It didn’t "erase any haunting legacy." That Jordan shot started a series of events which resulted in the Ron Harper trade which nearly destroyed the franchise. Nothing is erased, especially in light of the fact the Cavs were swept.By the way, just so you know, the Akron Beacon Journal’s Brian Windhorst has a bad habit of using that term "league sources" for just about everything. Whenever Windhorst uses the term "league sources, " you can immediately turn the page, because it’s guaranteed fiction. His purported "league sources" are as reliable and credible as asking your dog to describe the second shooter on the grassy knoll. All he does is dispense rumor. They’re never right. And I mean NEVER. .

Posted by
Gm for Hire
on 09.2.2007

I feel you Cavaliersgurl32!!! The Cavs should bring Earl the pearl Boykins Home. He would be a great addition... .

Posted by
Gm for Hire
on 09.2.2007

Wow, just by reading some of the blogs you can really tell some of you guys don’t know anything about salary restrictions! Here a tip go to espn.com then go to nba trade machine for a little update. Another thing you have to have trade bait to get a good catch. Who is gonna trade sugar for shit...Nobody so do yourself a favor and do a little research before you throw your little fake fan of the sport off the wall trade ideas out there. Just venting but come on be fareal Homie .

Posted by

on 09.2.2007

The cavs need to resign andi and sasha and trade drew gooden,eric snow,damon jones,larry hughes,donyell,wesley and Z to the kings for bibby,kevin martin,mikki moore and good ol ron artest. .

Posted by
KiNgJaz
on 09.1.2007

i think We NeeD a BeTteR PG. iN orDer To MAke cavs StrOng aNd BeTter..MaYbE YOu. sHOulD TraDe SoMe PlaYerz LikE MarsHaLL,/huoghes,Pavs,or sNow aNd THen MaYbe YOu ShuolD sIgn HousTon aNd WeBber For Back Up PLaYerz.. .

Posted by
HEEM
on 09.1.2007

NOT GOOD AT ALL TO MANY TEAMS MADE GOOD MOVES AND WE HAVE THE SAME TEAM WE NEED A POINT GUARD AND NOT ERIC SNOW WE NEED MIKE BIBBY .

Posted by
gocavs07
on 09.1.2007

y arent we getting anyone in the off season? were supposed 2 get better,not get worse .

Posted by
change is good
on 09.1.2007

Anything that doesn’t change is dead. The Cavs are on the right track with Pavs and Andy neither is worth more than what the Cavs offered. They are whats considered take it or leave it players. We will not lose any ground in the east without them but there is not a lot out there to replace them with. Ferry needs to figure out how to get more roll players that are specialist at what is needed; defense, shooting, and rebounding, because we have a lot of players that don’t do either. .

Posted by
YoMamasMan
on 09.1.2007

And still no mention of Jermaine Oneal. I wonder why? He’s available, are we even checking it out? .

Posted by
Lisa
on 09.1.2007

The cavs need to sign anderson and sasha. why would u go and get some1 who is twice there age. Sasha proved that he could score and w/out anderson last year we might not have won some of are games!! We need some1 other than d marshall to come off the bench. AND the cavs DONT need to trade marshall or hughes the need their experience to help the younger guys .

Posted by
Cavaliersgurl32
on 09.1.2007

We need a POINT GAURD, DESPERATELY!!!!!!!!!!!! What’s up with EARL BOYKINS (HELLO). That kid has fire and energy.. and thats what we need. It can "SNOW" somewhere else. Lets bring "BOYKINS" home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

Posted by
Mike
on 09.1.2007

What moves? The Cavaliers have done nothing in the off season, while other eastern teams have vastly improved thier teams, as an example Boston. .

Posted by
Get It Done
on 09.1.2007

Cleveland had a good run, but they need a person like bibby,T.J Rord heck even G.Payton would help this team! Alright we made it to the finals! Do you think the cavs could’ve beat the Spurs with a high powered offense? Yup! If we had bibby our chances would’ve been greater. Face it!!! Cleveland will not win with these players in my opinion E Snow,D Wesley,I Newble and both D jones’s. Hell that is 5 guys we can do without seriously. D Ferry needs to take care of that and after this season get rid of L Hughes,Z and D Marshell!! Come on Cleveland get over the hill not just to it!! GO CAVS...Oh yeah! on last thing to D Ferry teams will listen if you present an offer! Make one that they cannot refuse 2 or 3 for 1 at this point. .

Posted by
lynn
on 09.1.2007

Well from looking at some of these posts....one would think that some of these people are young and inexperienced in the game. Personally, i agree that sasha is not the answer for real. Andy might be cool, but not really not the answer either. We need a point guard, obviously Bibby wants to be here, so whats the problem? Get him!!! Let those contracts go, and bring in some people that are going to help. Houston would be good after bibby gets here and for mutumbo...that will work also after houston gets here...lol!!! thats the truth! .

Posted by
the "O"
on 09.1.2007

Larry Hughes’ contract makes him untradeable. Z still gives you "O" but can’t guard a lump of coal trying to become a diamond. Sasha is fire and ice. With no draft picks and limited room to wheel and deal, Cavs fans may just have to suck it up this season until they can unload big contracts like Amon Ones ( no "D" and no "J"umper), Eric Snow, and (sadly) Z. .

Posted by

on 09.1.2007

need a point guard badly .

Posted by
t
on 09.1.2007

danny ferry needs to make something happen to help lbj after what happend last year .

Posted by
Eastern Conference Champ
on 09.1.2007

Wal... unfourtunatly they have the best player in the NBA last year. The cavs will not suck as long as the LeBron Era is still in effect. I can see the Cavs not making another move simply because there are no moves to be made. Kobe wants out but no team could keep their roster and afford his salary. KG already left and everyone is still in their contract. This is a poor year for Free Agency and i believe that Danny Ferry will over pay Sasha but keep both of them and start with the same lineup. .

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Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Anderson Varejao & Sasha Pavlovic Unsigned, Cleveland Cavaliers Must Help LeBron James

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