Cleveland Cavaliers 2009 Offseason

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a 2008/2009 regular season to remember with a record of 66-16 with only two home losses. The playoffs however, did not turn out as planned. After losing to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals it was clear that the Cavs needed to make some fairly sizeable offseason moves to better matchup against the elite teams.

As Cleveland fans scream for their first professional sports title in over forty years and the fact that Lebron James can opt out of his contract after next season there is no option but for General Manager Danny Ferry to make some big time moves. Two areas are evident to help the team compete for a title next season, a taller/more athletic two guard and another big that can play defense.

Ferry quickly jumped at the opportunity to snatch future hall of fame center Shaquille O'Neal in a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and $500,000. Neither of these players the Cavs gave up had any postseason impact and with Shaq's enormous contract expiring at the end of next season there was nothing to lose in this deal. The acquisition of Shaq is very exciting for the city of Cleveland, but with fan favorite Anderson Varejao opting to become a free agent the Cavs are still faced with the problem of needing another big.

The Cavs face another problem in not having much money available to sign the players they want. They currently have a Mid Level Exception worth roughly $5.6 million and the money that Varejao was due to make next year. In a perfect world they would be able to resign Andy and spend the MLE on a larger shooting guard, but with Ron Artest joining the Lakers and Trevor Ariza opting to go to the Rockets, the choices are slim.

There are a few options Cleveland can do now. One, do nothing and let last year's first round pick J.J. Hickson take a shot at being the starting PF and this year's second round pick Danny Green become the back up two guard. This option is not actually that bad as Hickson showed some promise early last season and Green is a tall athletic guard that can play defense and hit open jumpers. The only problem is that both are inexperienced and come playoff time you need players that can be trusted on the court.

Option two involves spending their money. They can use the MLE to go after the shooting guard they desire, but none to the caliber of Artest or Ariza. Currently, Anthony Parker appears to be the man their targeting. He has the size they want, but isn't as efficient offensively as hoped. If the Cavs can't get Varejao to come back or get a team to do a sign and trade for another PF they'll have to hit the market with that money. Some possible choices could be Rasheed Wallace or Chris "Birdman" Anderson. Both are unlikely to join the Cavs as Anderson wants to stay in Denver and Wallace is already being targeted by Boston and San Antonio, but the right amount of money seems to persuade all professional athletes.

There is no doubt whatever Cleveland decides to do they're a better team than last season with Shaq, but with L.A., San Antonio, and Orlando all making power moves to improve their teams the Cavs are still not favorites to get that coveted championship. Free agency has just begun so it will be interesting to see what moves the Cavaliers can come up with.