WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Abercrombie Announces Plummeting Sales Amid Controversy
Last February, the Cavaliers were tied to rumors involving a Phoenix big man, but a trade would wait until the summer, when Cleveland grabbed Shaquille O'Neal for (believed-to-be) retiring Ben Wallace and the non-guaranteed contract of Sasha Pavlovic. This trade deadline, Amar'e Stoudemire is the focus of the rumors. Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports trade talks between the teams have intensified.It's unclear whether Cleveland would give up Zydrunas Ilgauskas in such a deal; the team could otherwise get semi-retired Wally Szczerbiak to sign a partially non-guaranteed contract to make the trade work under cap rules. J.J. Hickson, Cleveland's current young starting power forward, would almost assuredly head to Phoenix -- he is, effectively, the Cavaliers' only desired young prospect. (No offense to Danny Green.)
Why would the Cavs make a move for Amar'e, riding the league's best record and a 13-game winning streak? It's all about preparing for the postseason. Cleveland was sunk by Dwight Howard last May, and while Shaq was brought in to work on that deficiency, adding an offensively talented big man like Amar'e could shift the power balance in such a match-up. In other words, by making Rashard Lewis defend Stoudemire, you put even more pressure on Howard to excel.
The other elephant here is Los Angeles, a team with three excellent big men (though one, Lamar Odom, hasn't played particularly well this year). Cleveland has beat the Lakers twice this season, but you can never be too sure, right?
I'm not sure what this deal would mean for Phoenix. Why did Steve Nash sign a contract extension, exactly? Unless Hickson is a star-in-waiting (possible, not probable) or Earl Clark is on the fast track (unlikely), the Suns will be a whole lot worse without one of the most efficient scorers in basketball history. Unless the team can trade away Jason Richardson or Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix doesn't figure to have more than $10 million in cap space this summer.
LOOK: How Bad Are Your State's Bridges?
French Soldier Stabbed In The Neck In Paris
Joe Arpaio Violated Latinos' Rights, Judge Rules
Report: Yahoo Is Bidding On Hulu
Bombshell Report Alleges Toronto Mayor's Family Ties With Drug World
WATCH: Journalist Slams Obama For 'Embrace Of Total Militarism'
Pacers Steal Game 2 In Miami
Pharma Giant Accused Of Paying Doctors To Push Drug
Friend Of London Attack Suspect Arrested After BBC Interview
Marine Recruit's Letter Claims Boot Camp Instructors Hurl Anti-Gay Slurs
CNN Anchor Calls Obama Protester 'Rude' And 'Crazy'
LOOK: Why We Celebrate Memorial Day
Fox News Host's Outrageous Comment
Gay Soccer Player Returns To MLS
Female Suicide Bomber Injures 18 In Russian Region
Sectarian Violence Comes Back To Life In Iraq
Christopher Hayes: London Terror
Ohio Kidnapping Hero Disavows Free Burger Offers
State Investigating Threat Over Brewer Push
The iPhone Might Get A Lot Sleeker Very Soon
Pioneering Journalist Known For Civil Rights Coverage Dies At 81
GOP Senator: Obama Speech A 'Victory' For 'Terrorists'
Toronto Mayor: I Don't Smoke Crack
Ann Coulter's Wild Conspiracy Theory
GOP Rep Tells Woman She Should Have Carried Brain-Dead Fetus To Term, Just In Case
Wife Of Beheaded British Soldier's Heartbreaking Interview
Gay Teen Charged With Felonies Over Relationship Refuses Plea Deal
