A battle for McDyess?

[elcheato]

This week's big trade between the Nuggets and Pistons only indirectly affected the Cavaliers. Or did it?

While most fans are eager to see how All-Stars Chauncey Billups and Allen Iverson fit in with their new teams, league front office members are more focused on the immediate future of Antonio McDyess, and that likely includes the Cavs.

McDyess, who was sent to Denver with Billups, has made it known he doesn't want to play for the Nuggets and is working on a buyout to become a free agent. There have been reports that if a deal can be reached, McDyess will head back to the Pistons. Perhaps, but that's far from assured for several reasons, which is where the Cavs come in.
Still a little concerned about their big man depth, the Cavs will likely make a pitch to McDyess if he becomes a free agent and they will probably not be alone. Other than the Pistons, who must wait 30 days to re-sign him under league rules, the Celtics and Spurs are among other teams that may be interested.

McDyess is a versatile player who can play both power forward and center who is a strong shot-blocker, rebounder and outside shooter. He's also a strong locker room presence. All of which would make him a perfect fit with the Cavs. It would probably come at the sacrifice of playing time for rookie J.J. Hickson, but would fill the role vacated by veteran forward Joe Smith after the trade for Mo Williams.

So why would he consider the Cavs? McDyess has a good relationship with Ben Wallace, stemming from the time they played together in Detroit. The Cavs are also a championship contender, which would likely be a prerequisite for McDyess. But there's also money and that may well be a significant factor.

McDyess has two years and nearly $14 million left on his contract. The Nuggets would prefer he play it out with them, but he has made it clear he wants to become a free agent. Just a few million above the luxury-tax threshold and not wanting to pay him not to play, the Nuggets are driving a hard bargain that might require McDyess to give up a significant portion of his salary.

The Pistons have just $1.6 million left from their mid-level exception or their $1.9 million bi-annual exception to offer McDyess. The Celtics have 15 guaranteed contracts on their roster and have $2.4 million left to offer. The Spurs have just under $2.1 million. The Cavs, though, have just over $5.1 million which they could use in whole or part.

It would cost the Cavs double to make such a deal because they are over the tax line and it would mean a dollar-for-dollar penalty. That fact could give them pause. However, if they clear all the hurdles in getting Eric Snow's disability claim accepted, that could save them around $10 million in luxury tax savings and insurance coverage.

This was from a cavs beat writer.

This is very interesting.. McDyess said he doesn't want to keep on moving around, but the Cavs do have quite a bit left from the MLE, most of it to be exact. So we can offer him a pretty nice deal, unlike the Pistons, Celtics, etc.. I would love to pick him up. It would take away Hickson's minutes but he would be a nice addition and could help us make a run to the title, but I still think he'll go the Pistons.

 

[-Torres-]

I wouldn't mind seeing him in a celtics uni.

 

[RipCity32]

I really hope he comes back..