Post by Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb 20, 2008 20:47:11 GMT -5
When the New Cleveland Cavaliers hired a new General Manager late last week, he inherited a tough decision that would keep even the most experienced of GM's up late at night. Andre Iguodala, a rising NBA All-Star, is one of the centerpieces of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. Cleveland would like to re-sign Iguodala at the end of the year, but theres one problem, and it's a big one: money. Iguodala is owed close to $3 million this year, but his contract expires after the NBA Finals. A player of his caliber merits big money during the off-season, and Cleveland is not sure that they can re-sign him during Contract Negotiations next year. Last Year, Vince Carter was rewarded a $62 million, 4 year contract, and experts predict that Iguodala will recieve something similar to that.
The other AI? Andre Iguodala may have earned the right to be called the AI.
There are three potential doors that Cleveland can take for this situation:
1. Try to dump bad contracts, and save money for Iguodala next season.
Currently, The Cavs have Eric Snow and Damon Jones under contract. They are both on the injured reserve (though not injured), and are owed 7 million and 4 million next year, respectively. Antoine Walker is owed 9 million next year, and is under contract for two more seasons after that, but it is likely that Cleveland will not pick up his option in 2010. Donyell Marshall and Drew Gooden also have big contracts. Currently, sources say that Philadelphia is interested in Drew Gooden, but no other information can be reached in that area.
2. Ride it out and see what happens
This is a very unlikely scenario. Along with Andre Iguodala, starting SG JR Smith, starting PG Keyon Dooling, and key bench player Chris Duhon contract's expire during the off-season. Even If the Cavs re-sign Andre, there is no possible way that they can sign any of the 3 above players to contract extensions. And there is still the possibility that they cannot reach terms with Iguodala, and they lose the cornerstone of thier team in return for nothing.
3. Trade Iguodala
A player of Iguodala's caliber garners great interest from other teams in the NBA. Teams with cap room are very interested, because they can get Iguodala for a discounted price. The only problem with this scenario is that currently Cleveland's record is 19-10, one game behind the lead in the central division. They are a potential playoff team, and they do not want to go into a complete rebuilding mode if they are in contention to be a top seed. Some teams that have shown interest in Iguodala or have been contacted about him are: The Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, and the Denver Nuggets.
There is however, one thing that remains constant during this whole situation: Elton Brand.
The other AI? Andre Iguodala may have earned the right to be called the AI.
There are three potential doors that Cleveland can take for this situation:
1. Try to dump bad contracts, and save money for Iguodala next season.
Currently, The Cavs have Eric Snow and Damon Jones under contract. They are both on the injured reserve (though not injured), and are owed 7 million and 4 million next year, respectively. Antoine Walker is owed 9 million next year, and is under contract for two more seasons after that, but it is likely that Cleveland will not pick up his option in 2010. Donyell Marshall and Drew Gooden also have big contracts. Currently, sources say that Philadelphia is interested in Drew Gooden, but no other information can be reached in that area.
2. Ride it out and see what happens
This is a very unlikely scenario. Along with Andre Iguodala, starting SG JR Smith, starting PG Keyon Dooling, and key bench player Chris Duhon contract's expire during the off-season. Even If the Cavs re-sign Andre, there is no possible way that they can sign any of the 3 above players to contract extensions. And there is still the possibility that they cannot reach terms with Iguodala, and they lose the cornerstone of thier team in return for nothing.
3. Trade Iguodala
A player of Iguodala's caliber garners great interest from other teams in the NBA. Teams with cap room are very interested, because they can get Iguodala for a discounted price. The only problem with this scenario is that currently Cleveland's record is 19-10, one game behind the lead in the central division. They are a potential playoff team, and they do not want to go into a complete rebuilding mode if they are in contention to be a top seed. Some teams that have shown interest in Iguodala or have been contacted about him are: The Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, and the Denver Nuggets.
There is however, one thing that remains constant during this whole situation: Elton Brand.