[Pioneer10]

Gooden, though, is not the only big man in whom the Cavs have interest.

They contacted Portland Trail Blazers free-agent center Joel Przybilla on the first day. The six-year veteran is one of the most coveted free agents on the market, because he's a versatile big man, a valuable commodity.

Przybilla averaged just 6.1 points in 25 minutes a game for the Blazers last season, but the Cavs are likely more interested in the seven rebounds and 2.3 blocks he averaged in those games.

``He's interested in going to a successful team,'' said Bill Duffy, Przybilla's agent. ``But he's also excited about what Portland did on draft night (making six trades) so he's not in any hurry.''

The Chicago Bulls, who have plenty of salary-cap space, and the San Antonio Spurs are also believed to be interested suitors. The Bulls have an advantage, because they can offer more. The Blazers, Spurs and Cavs only have their $5.3 million mid-level exception to offer.

``Signing for the (mid-level) may be an option,'' Duffy said. ``That's going to be his decision.''

The Los Angeles Lakers made a move on Saturday that might affect the Cavs, reportedly signing forward Vladimir Radmanovic with their mid-level exception. The Lakers were rumored to be interested in free-agent point guard Marcus Banks and forward Devean George, their own free agent.

League executives said the Cavs contacted both Banks and George on Saturday.

Lot's more in the article:
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/...s/14952244.htm

Signing Gooden is high on the priority list after Lebron of course. Flip as expected is a goner.
I think Pryzbilla and Banks make a lot of sense for the Cavs but don't see why they would be interested in George. Newble seems pretty equivalent.

Pryzilla would add the defensive minded big that we need and would make losing Gooden reasonable as we still would have a 4 man rotation among the bigs. We obviously need an upgrade at PG and while Banks isn't exactly what I hoped for he at least can guard the quick PG's who burnt us time and again the past 2 seasons

[Benedict_Boozer]

George is like Newble except he can actually shoot. Would be a good backup for Lebron.

I really like them going after Pryzbilla, he'd be a great fit on this team behind Z. Banks also would be a good move, suddenly we'd have two young developing PG's on the roster capable of playing great perimeter D.

That also would mean one of Snow and DJ would be gone.

[LostInGeorgia]

i'm not an expert on the c.b.a. but could we not resign gooden and then still offer the mle to pryzbilla?

[Pioneer10]

Originally Posted by LostInGeorgia

i'm not an expert on the c.b.a. but could we not resign gooden and then still offer the mle to pryzbilla?

Yes we could but that effectively means Snow would our starting PG again: YUCK.

1 Gooden resigns with us: no sign and trade.
2 MLE used on Pryzbilla.

[Larry Hughes for Retirement]

I love Marcus Banks just no room for him unless Ferry has something up his sleeve, What Banks did in Minny was nice, he finally got a chance to play.

He is sooo quick, I just think he would fit well in with bron/hughes/brown...

Then what is the point of Daniel Gibson?

[Pioneer10]

Other FA news (guys we might have had some interest in):

Nene just resigned with Denver for 60 mill: Holy that seems overpriced for a guy coming off ACL surgery! Hopefully that won't increase Drew's price too much.

Cassell is going to resign with the Clippers

Bobby Jackson appear headed to the Hornets to backup Chris Paul

And of course our favorite pipe dream, Jason Terry, reupped with Dallas for 60 mill

[Benedict_Boozer]

Im starting to get a bad feeling that Snow is gonna be the starter again next season...

[remy23]

^ I'm less worried about the starters and more worried about who finishes games. If Brown and Gibson show us something and show they deserve more PT, especially when the game is on the line, then Coach Brown will need to trust his rookies in key stretches/clutch situations.

[ohiostfbfan]

snow cannot be the starter again. i would rather have gibson cause he can actually make a shot when lebron gets doubled and tripled. if we had a starting pg that could shoot lebron would have 10 assists per game

[Benedict_Boozer]

Originally Posted by ohiostfbfan

snow cannot be the starter again. i would rather have gibson cause he can actually make a shot when lebron gets doubled and tripled. if we had a starting pg that could shoot lebron would have 10 assists per game

I'd rather have Gibson start also....prob not a popular opinion since he's a 2nd round rookie but he can

- Hit open jumpers
- Defend the perimeter

We don't need him to run the offense, bring the ball up and let Larry/Lebron run the show.

I can't deal with another year of Snow bricking shots and slow walking the tempo.

[futuristxen]

I bet Gibson doesn't even make the team, and Shannon Brown never plays.

Newble coming back will actually be huge. Don't know if any of you have noticed the last two years, but his 3 point shooting is starting to get really good. Being injured the whole year he had even more time to work on his J. I'd wager he is a big part of the rotation next year if healthy. He's basically a bigger version of Shannon Brown if he is healthy and has added the 3 point shot. He could be our Bruce Bowen.

What about inviting Darius Washington to summer leauge?

[remy23]

Originally Posted by futuristxen

I bet Gibson doesn't even make the team, and Shannon Brown never plays.

Ferry said Gibson was a lock to make the final roster.

Cavs begin talks with Gooden CAVALIERS: Also reportedly talk to big men Przybilla, Wright
Bob Finnan, Morning Journal Writer
07/03/2006

One source said the Cavaliers could sign second-round pick Daniel Gibson of Texas to a deal worth more than the league minimum, with two years guaranteed. GM Danny Ferry already came out and said Gibson was a lock to make the final roster.