Trade Possibilities Visit Q Tonight

Shaver Sports has been saying all season that the Cavaliers can win an NBA title as the roster is currently constructed. Nevertheless, as the trade deadline approaches, the banter continues. Amongst those names rumored as 'available' are Brad Miller and Johnny Salmons. They are both in town tonight, as the Sacramento Kings come to town to take on the Cavaliers. Michael Reghi had Grant Napier, Sacramento Kings TV Analyst, on his radio show Monday, and Grant had the following to say about each player:

In regards to Miller...

"Excellent fit. He accepts his role, and has no ego. He is not a good passer, he is a great passer, and is an excellent shooter as well. He would have no problems coming off the bench, and deferring to LeBron. Now on the downside though, he doesn't have a post-up game, and doesn't play any defense. But, overall, he could be an excellent fit for the Cavaliers."

In regards to Salmons...

"Best wing defender in the league, period. He can score, has a post up game, and would be an excellent fit on any team. As an on the ball defender, he is better than Ron Artest, and can still get you (15) points a night."

Napier went on to say that he knows the Kings are shopping Miller, but doesn't know if they want to move Salmons. Miller has one year left on his contract and Salmons has two. Salmons will have a tall order in front of him tonight, as he will most likely be matched up against LeBron.

Brad Miller for JJ Hickson?

The reason I ask is because in the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, Ian Thomsen listed (5) trades that he thought "should be made by the February deadline."

Among them, was a proposed deal of Eric Snow and JJ Hickson to the Kings for Brad Miller and his $23.6 million contract that expires in 2010. (pg 82) After deliberating on this possible trade I came to the following conclusion:

If this deal really did present itself, and I were the Cavaliers, I would make the trade. You loose the contract dollars of an Eric Snow that come off the books at the end of this year, and you give up a talented young big in Hickson, but...you get a 7 footer in Miller who can score, rebound, and also pass the basketball. He wouldn't start. You would still start Z and Wallace, but he would be better than Hickson this year coming off the bench.

This isn't a move the Cavaliers have to make, and I continue to believe that they can win it all as constructed, but if this deal presented itself, I say it is a move they should make. It makes you better, and deeper this year, without impacting you adversely in offseason of 2010.