Kirilenko for Varejao and Mo

[jimmyjazz]

Another thing to consider for the Cavs is that if they're so desperate to dump salary, there are a number of teams with massive TPE's (large enough to absorb any player on their roster) and Erick Dampier. AK is at most 3rd on the list of ways the Cavs could dump salary, and that says nothing of what would likely be a net loss of abilities for the Cavs. The only way the Cavs consider doing this is if they really want AK for some reason.

You check out those teams with massive TPEs (Suns, Raps, who else?), the Dampier chip (Charlotte) and cap space (NY) and the Jazz chances look good actually.

The Suns already got role-players in Warrick and Frye and Barbosa. Instead of getting another role player, they're more likely to keep their Amare TPE intact for bigger fish up through the trade deadline if needed. Their Richardson expiring isn't big enough for Varejao plus the salary the Cavs would also want to dump.

The Raps are probably in post-Bosh minirebuild mode and jealously guarding their cap space for next offseason for a complement to Bargnani.

Jordan's Bobcats could possibly try to get Mo. That's one. And why it could be Varejao+Jamison instead, with the hope Jamison could be tradable for an expiring later.

NY's mid/long-term cap space is sacred for their own Big Three dream.

So there's not really a whole pack of teams that could get in the way. The Jazz's chances look quite good if they want to do this.

 

[Harambe]

i would be tempted.. but i wouldnt do it. people undervalue cj and i hate it.

My statement stands.

 

[cowhide]

I wouldn't make this deal simply because of Mo and AV's contract length. I would rather the Jazz let AK expire. I certainly hope the Jazz are not dumb enough to pay AK another big contract. He is a a $6 million a year guy. He certainly isn't going to get any better and he has been overpaid for years. I 'd rather the Jazz let AK's deal expire or trade it for a talented expiring contract (Richardson or Dampier).

 

[mfree]

I actually agree that the best move is to re-sign AK47 at a significantly reduced rate. He is a good player for a smaller salary, but even if they do want to get rid of him, with a more reasonable contract, he becomes tradeable, and they would get some value beyond just the luxury tax savings.

 

[jimmyjazz]

AK may be a "good" player but will keeping and then re-signing him bring the Jazz closer to matching up vs LA? The Jazz are still a long defensive big man away from competing better against the Lakers.

AK is replaceable and if trading him is what brings in a 6-11 defensive big, a young veteran at that in this case, then the Jazz should go for it. That's a higher priority in the next couple of years than just hoping to re-sign AK.

 

[infection]

But Andrei might get a 5x5 next year.