Seeing Redd In Cleveland?

by Steve Weinman on Jun 24, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in NBA Articles

Back in the summer of 2005, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed Larry Hughes to be LeBron James' big-deal right-hand man on the offensive floor.

That panned out miserably.

What's worth remembering, however, is that Hughes was by no means the first choice in Cleveland that year. The problem was that the best option had re-signed with his former team before the Cavs had a shot at him.

According to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Terry Pluto, the Cavs are back on that man's trai l:

Milwaukee is interested in trading [Michael] Redd, who has $16 million, $17 million and $18 million left on his contract. The Cavs have an expiring contract worth $13 million in Szczerbiak, and maybe they can toss in another player to make it work. While Milwaukee wants to dump Redd's contract, the Bucks might also want a draft choice and young players in return. They won't just give Redd away.
It does seem like the two teams have some common ground. Redd will be 29 at the start of next season. He averaged 22.7 points, shot 44 percent from the field, 82 percent at the foul line. The point of adding Redd or any other impact players is not just to appease James, as some in the media insist. It's about winning games. That's what makes James happy, not bringing in big names.

It's that last sentence of the first paragraph that makes me question just how possible this actually is.

Redd would certainly be a nice fit next to James on the offensive end of the floor for the Cavs. He is an excellent scorer who can stretch the floor and add a completely new dimension to the Cavs' offense.

But in addition to being a non-factor on the defensive end, he won't come cheap for the Cavs. The Bucks may be looking to get away from his big salary, but it's worth remembering that this is a guy they signed to build around long-term, and so far as I know, he's still a fan favorite in Milwaukee. Some rumor sites are suggesting Szczerbiak and Anderson Varejao gets it done, but here's guessing it takes picks and at least another player to make a move for Redd, which could end up costing the Cavs on the defensive end far more than they want to give up.

This one still seems to be a long way from becoming a reality at this point.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Redd is a better defender than Wally so I wouldn’t worry about the defensive end. Mike Brown is freak, he’ll make the defense work.

Larry Hughes was the fourth option when he signed on wasn’t he? Behind Redd, Ray, JJ. Danny Ferry panicked.

John Hammond phoned Michael Redd straight after this news came out and told him we’re not trading you, we’re not shopping you. Redd was very happy to have someone in the front office actually do that for once. I don’t think Hammond is moving Redd, you don’t need to do that if you’re going to trade the guy in the next 30 days. I expect Hammond will build around Redd. The only trade I see him making with Redd involved is one that upgrades the talent, not cap flexibility.

If Cleveland could get the deal it would be fantastic for them. Puts them toe-to-toe with Boston for frontrunner of the East.

by Who on Jun 24, 2008 3:21 AM EDT reply actions

Who — I should have been clearer. The point for me defensively isn’t trading Wally but that Varejao and other pieces would be needed as well. How does that affect them defensively?

-sw

by Steve Weinman on Jun 24, 2008 7:37 AM EDT reply actions

Ben Wallace can do most of what Varajeo can so the loss shouldn’t hurt them much if it all …. unlike last year when losing Varajeo would have severely hurt their defense.

Ben, Z, Joe and they can add another big to platoon that. The combination of Varajeo and Wallace caused huge problems so getting a big with any offensive skill should ease some of Mike Brown’s rotation problems. That extra offensive benefit should cancel out the loss of any lost defense.

by Who on Jun 24, 2008 7:50 AM EDT reply actions