Stoudemire won't be traded to the Cavs, but this thread is still very lulzworthy.

[FedEx227]

The Cavs actually weren't doing awful with Z out there: +2.9 (+/- rating).

Shaq, on the other hand, they do suffer: -4.9.

Their best 5-man unit all year looks like M.Williams-Parker-James-Varejao-Ilgauskas with something like +51. Their worst was actually Mo, Parker, James, Hickson, Shaq (-36)

[Primetime]

What kind of potential does Hickson have? I know he's doing pretty decent this year with the Cavs, but how's his defense? And how much of his success this year due to Lebron and giving him open shots?

Hustle defender with good shot blocking ability. Don't even worry about how much LeBron set him up so far this season, because he'll have twice the opportunities with Nash.

[Primetime]

The Cavs actually weren't doing awful with Z out there: +2.9 (+/- rating).

Shaq, on the other hand, they do suffer: -4.9.

Their best 5-man unit all year looks like M.Williams-Parker-James-Varejao-Ilgauskas with something like +51. Their worst was actually Mo, Parker, James, Hickson, Shaq (-36)

Pretty interesting actually. I wonder what Z's +/- is against starting centers though...

EDIT: Also, I find it funny that since Hickson's been placed in the starting line-up, they've won something like 13 straight? Weird that they still have that -36 rating and also shows you just how deep they really are.

[Len B]

If this happened in an nba sim league it'd get vetoed :horse:

[FedEx227]

Maybe not if the sim league had a soft, exception-laden salary cap...

[FedEx227]

Pretty interesting actually. I wonder what Z's +/- is against starting centers though...

Yeah, no clue. It does seem odd because as you mentioned they've been cruising with Hickson in the lineup. Hickson grades out pretty poorly too at -11.5. I admittedly don't watch a ton of Cavaliers basketball but was he bad at the beginning of the year. From what I've seen of him in the past 2 weeks he appears to be pretty servicable but the +/- bears out that he's a huge negative on the team... which seems odd.

Cleveland Cavaliers top five man units data from 82games.com

There's the breakdown for those interested.

[Kuzzy Powers]

The Suns really are only saving minimal money in making this trade. If Amare isnt planing using his player option, his contract was going to come off the books at the end of this year the same way Z's was. Z is there to match salaries and is also appealing cause hes expiring, but so is Amare. So essentially you're getting Hickson in return for Amare.. flat out, embarrassing trade for the Suns. There HAD to have been a trade with better prospects on the table then that.

Amare salary: 16.3 Mil

Z's salary: 11..5 Mil
Hickson's salary: 1.4 Mil

I understand the concept of exchanging contracts in the NBA, its just unfortunate when stars can be traded for cap relief, especially in situations like this.

[FedEx227]

Well the reports have to be wrong, there has to be other players involved before the money doesn't work out in a Hickson/Z for Amare move. There has to be a few more loose parts going with Z/Hickson.

NBA Trade Machine - ESPN

[Kuzzy Powers]

They'd have to throw in someone like Moon to make it work. It'd still be a pretty bad trade after that.. lol.

[Nukleopatra]

I don't give a fuck if they have to throw in Moon's girlfriend/wife - if this goes down, wow.

I'd love to see Shaq go out with one more title, but on the other hand, seeing Lebron win a championship, meh - It's bound to happen to anyway, so I'd rather see it happen with Shaq there.

[Juggernaut]

I don't give a fuck if they have to throw in Moon's girlfriend/wife - if this goes down, wow.


I'd love to see Shaq go out with one more title, but on the other hand, seeing Lebron win a championship, meh - It's bound to happen to anyway, so I'd rather see it happen with Shaq there.

QFT

If this trade goes down, and the Spurs/Mavs aren't representing the West, then i'll have no qualms rooting for the Cavs this year. I'd love to see Cavs/Boston than Cavs/LAL series. Should be great series that go 6 or 7 games deep.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

The Suns really missed the window as far as getting value for Amar'e. Its too bad nothing went down with the Warriors in the offseason, I would have really liked to see that.

At the beginning of the season it looked like the Suns were contending, obviously there's no way they trade him while they're in first. It seems they are almost to the point that they will take what they can get rather than just watching him walk.

[Dez]

It'd be funny if LeBron leaves town this Summer and Amare does the same. Amare can opt out. Dont know why he'd want to stay with a LeBron-less Cavaliers team. Cavs would be basically renting Amare while giving up a talented young prospect in Hickson.

[Sportsbuck]

I think Hickson is going to be a very good player... he's really matured a lot this year and you can see him starting to come into his own.

[BUCK3YE5]

I think Hickson is going to be a very good player... he's really matured a lot this year and you can see him starting to come into his own.

In a couple year he'll be an all-star.

Amare' has made it obvious that he won't re-sign with them

He said he was leaning towards re-signing

Shaq sucks the Cavs are better when he isnt on the floor.

Your an idiot

(Stat/Shaq) Should be epically bad on D.

Your an idiot. Shaq essentially cancels out or does better than every big man he faces. Including Dwight.

If you people think +/- means anything in the NBA, you are dumber than I thought. Keep in mind, the Cavs bench is basically another starting lineup, so of course they are gonna be + against other teams' benches.