Vegas Vocation

No one should read too much into the fact that the Cavaliers Summer League squad took the collar (0-5) last week in Las Vegas. What was most noteworthy about the Wine and Gold’s week in the desert was J.J. Hickson’s extremely impressive performance.

In five contests, the No. 19 overall pick led the team – netting 19.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He shot .534 from the floor (39-for-73) and grabbed more offensive rebounds (20) than defensive (19). The Atlanta native turned the ball over a bit much (18) and shot just 50 percent from the line (19-for-38), but if those are problems, Danny Ferry leaves Sin City as a very happy man.

Of course, it’s only Summer League and the competition gets really fierce in about three months. But if anyone was wondering what the rookie would look like when he hit the hardwood – last week was a pretty encouraging preview.

Hickson is aggressive, has a plethora of post moves and is more than comfortable playing with his back to the basket. He may not be able to contribute right away, but this 19-year-old doesn’t have any shame in his game on the offensive end – something the Cavaliers are seeking considering Anderson Varejao and Ben Wallace’s limitations on that end of the floor.

Hickson’s rookie teammate, Darnell Jackson, turned in a solid showing – averaging 5.8 points and 5.4 boards per contest. Though nowhere near as skilled as Hickson, the former Jayhawk could shape up into a nice “rotational” player for Mike Brown.

In an interview with cavs.com, Jackson said that he plays with a bit of a “mean streak.” And that’s as welcome in the Cavaliers’ frontcourt as Hickson’s offensive presence in the post. It’ll be interesting to see how both fare when Training Camp tips off in October.

Robert Traylor, maybe the best story from Vegas, didn’t set the League on fire in the Cavaliers five games. He was active and apparently was impressive in practice. But he averaged just 5.3 points and 5.0 boards – playing around 17 minutes per outing.

Tractor might still be invited to Training Camp and, even if he isn’t, breathed a little life into an NBA career that was all but extinguished after he left the Cavaliers. Plenty of players have parlayed 10-day contracts into nice runs in the Association. (see: Ehlo, Craig)

Aside from the rookie duo and Traylor, it was Lima, Ohio’s own Clay Tucker who was most impressive. The one-time MVP of the Horizon League and UW-Milwaukee’s all-time leading scorer averaged 15.0 ppg, including a 23-point outing off the bench in Saturday night’s loss to the Hornets.

Lance Allred and Billy Thomas – the Cavaliers two major D-League call-ups from last season, each of whom made Cleveland’s playoff roster – didn’t do much to help their cause last week in Las Vegas. Allred averaged 2.3 ppg; Thomas clocked in at 5.0 ppg – but shot just .267 (4-for-15) from the floor.

Summer League is what it is. Some players will go on to be NBA stars, some will hit the D-League in the hopes of a shot at the Show, and some will prepare their passport for a trip overseas to play ball.

This year’s Cavaliers’ roster likely had a little from each category – and hopefully more of the former than the latter.

The Heat is On

The NBA’s free agent frenzy began just over two weeks ago and while some big names have come off the board, there are still several intriguing possibilities. Let’s take a quick look at what’s happened so far, and, more importantly, what impact these moves might have on the Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference.

The biggest name to change addresses so far has been Elton Brand, who left Los Angeles just days after the Clippers acquired Baron Davis. The move affected both Conferences, and Brand – whose image was spotless before bolting to the City of Brotherly Love – has been vilified in ClipperLand.

Brand is one of only four active players – along with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal – to have career averages of 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds. His defection wasn’t exactly “Boozer-esque,” but it’s safe to say that David Falk won’t be getting warm holiday wishes from Mike Dunleavy this December.

Of course, if the Basketball Gods have any sense of irony, there’s a chance the Clippers could land Philly’s restricted free agent, Andre Iguodala, who has met with Dunleavy according to reports in the Philadelphia Daily News. The Clippers are also still in the hunt for Atlanta’s Josh Smith.

If the Sixers are able to retain Iguodala, their moves propel Philly further into the playoff mix heading into 2008-09. Already one of the tougher matchups in the East, Maurice Cheeks club adds the experience and low-post presence they were lacking last year. If they can keep Iguodala, the 76ers will be a shooting guard away from elite status.

Corey Maggette took part in last week’s California Shuffle that saw Baron Davis go from Oakland to L.A., Maggette to Golden State and Brand to Philly. If Iguodala did happen to wind up in L.A., these four moves would have boiled down, in effect, to two really big trades.

The New Jersey Nets continue to completely reshape their roster. The Nets had 10 players on their roster 25-or-younger and needed an increased veteran presence. So last week, Rod Thorn went out and acquired Eduardo Najera, 32, and Jarvis Hayes, 27. They’re not difference-makers, but add a hint of veteran presence to the NBA neophytes in New Jersey.

In the Cavaliers division, teams have transformed through trades instead of free agency. The Bucks have sat tight after acquiring Richard Jefferson on Draft night. The Pacers have completely re-tooled – adding T.J. Ford, Rasho Neterovic and Jarrett Jack – along with draft picks, Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert.

The Pistons have been pretty quiet, but off-season rumors have linked them to big names like Carmelo Anthony and, most recently, Tracy McGrady. Although Joe Dumars did threaten to shake up “the sacred cows” in Motown, a more realistic scenario involves Chauncey Billups in exchange for either Andris Biedrins or Al Harrington – as reported in the Oakland Tribune.

There were a couple of free agent moves in the Sunshine State last week as well. Mickael Pietrus signed with the steadily-improving Orlando Magic and sharp-shooter, James Jones, got a big payday from Pat Riley. The Magic are still looking to parlay Dwight Howard’s presence into upper echelon status in the East. And the Heat – after drafting Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers – are looking to renew their mojo in South Beach.

In terms of the Cavaliers – it’s been all quiet on the Northern Front.

Cleveland is still looking to ink its two point guards – Delonte West and Daniel Gibson. The latter is rumored to be close, but there still hasn’t been any official word. Both parties are obviously looking to avoid any ugly disputes like the ones that adversely affected Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic’s seasons last year.

In terms of pursuing free agents, the Cavaliers are still rumored to be in the hunt for Twinsburg native, James Posey. The Hornets, Celtics, Spurs, Wizards, Pistons – (and just about any other competitor) – are still in the mix, as well. The sticking point appears to be the length of any potential contract. It’s been reported that Posey, 31, is seeking a four-year deal.

Stay tuned. As teams’ younger players show their stuff on the floor in Summer League, their bosses will be in the stands – watching, wheeling and dealing – as the offseason heats up like the summer months themselves.

Free Agent Frenzy Begins

It might not seem like it, but as we clean up from the 4th of July weekend, the NBA’s offseason is about to heat up like the weather.

The Draft is over, free agency is on, and various summer leagues are about to tip off.

The Cavaliers – and their first round pick, J.J. Hickson – travel once again to Las Vegas, where their summer league runs from July 11th to the 20th. In Orlando, Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley will face off in the exhibition opener, and the team formerly known as the Seattle Sonics will wear generic “NBA-OKC” jerseys when they take on the Pacers on Monday afternoon.

Picking up on the local zeitgeist since June 26, Cavs fans now realize that Hickson at No. 19 was a solid pick by Danny Ferry. And based on the tape we’ve seen of the uber-athletic forward from NC State, those fans will be even happier when they see him in the low post wearing the wine and gold.

Ferry will get a chance to see Hickson and second-rounder, Darnell Jackson, working together for the first time one week from today. In the meantime, like his front office brethren around the league, Ferry will be studying the still-pulsating free agent market to see what pieces he can add to the squad in 2008-09.

Among the four Cavalier free agents, only Devin Brown is unrestricted. Dwayne Jones, Daniel Gibson and Delonte West are all restricted.

Devin Brown’s situation might be the most cloudy, following the perplexing end to a highly productive season. Devin Brown was Coach Mike Brown’s Swiss Army knife all year; his versatility saved the Cavaliers’ bacon during an injury-plagued campaign. But the wily vet wound up in the Coach’s doghouse during the postseason and was limited to six total minutes against Boston.

Of course, Gibson and West will be at the top of the Cavaliers’ priority list.

Gibson’s numbers improved greatly across the board last season. He finished fifth in the league in three-point shooting and was the MVP of the Rookie Challenge. His shoulder injury that sidelined him in the final two games against Boston might have been the difference between the Wine and Gold advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.

And let’s not underestimate the fact that LeBron considers Boobie his “younger brother.” James has a trust and friendship with Gibson that cannot be overlooked, especially with pressure mounting as LeBron’s contract enters its final two years.

Delonte West proved to be everything Ferry hoped for when he made the big 11-player trade. He was fearless in the paint, took a lot of ball-handling duties off LeBron’s hands, and proved to be a capable shooter – exhibited by his three-point dagger against the Wizards in Game 4 at Washington.

The one thing Cleveland’s front office wants to avoid more than anything is an ugly contract battle with either player like the ones that sullied last summer’s offseason. There can be no doubt that those imbroglios directly affected Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic’s seasons. Both missed Training Camp and Anderson didn’t join the club until early December. Sasha took a big step backwards after an impressive postseason run in 2006-07.

When the Cavaliers brass does shift their focus outside the city limits, they’ll find a free agent market in flux.

Armed with a mid-level exception, the Cavaliers can consider names like James Posey and Mickael Pietrus. Both would be perfect fits in Mike Brown’s system, and Posey would bring two Rings – along with dogged defense and dead-eye shooting – to his hometown team. (It would be much better watching Posey alongside LeBron instead of guarding him – a job he seems to relish.)

The big name being thrown around recently has been Corey Maggette, and the Cavaliers look to be trying to get into the mix. The former Dukie is on every contenders’ short list – including the Celtics, Spurs, Pistons, Magic and Hornets. The 6-6 swingman is coming off a career year.

Maggette’s Clippers have already made the offseason’s biggest splash, landing Baron Davis hours after the market opened. Golden State is rumored to be in the mix. And Philadelphia, flushed with cash, is also primed to make a push for Brand.

The Sixers, coming off a vastly successful season under Mo Cheeks, seem determined to make a splash. If they fail to get Brand, look for Philly to try and coax J-Smoove or Josh Childress away from Atlanta. A combination of Andre Iguodala and Josh Smith would give the Sixers an explosive young combo heading into the season.

The Eastern Conference, in general, will be getting an overhaul this offseason.

Rumors of the Bucks’ demise were greatly exaggerated as Scott Skiles’ squad acquired Richard Jefferson and No. 8 pick, Joe Alexander, on Draft night. That certainly cools off the Michael Redd rumors as Milwaukee looks to have a “win-now” mentality.

The Nets, who shipped Jefferson, had an excellent Draft. Fretting fans on the “LeBron Watch” will be curious as to what Rod Thorn does with his free agents – Nenad Krstic and Bostjan Nachbar – in the coming days and weeks.

The Bulls extreme makeover is still in its early stages after drafting Derrick Rose with the No. 1 overall pick. With a glut of guards, Chicago will likely ship either Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon. Hinrich looked to be the choice, but recent rumors have the Bulls gauging interest on Gordon. Chris Duhon already looks to be headed to the Big Apple.

And finally, there’s the Washington Wizards, who simply re-inked two of their Big Three. Antawn Jamison signed a contract extension to stay in the nation’s capital and Gilbert Arenas left money on the table to remain with the Wiz Kids. These two moves can only mean one thing …

They’ll be traveling to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs in April of 2009.