A perfect sidekick for LeBron - but we can only dream (Photo courtesy of flickr)
Let’s Keep Torturing Ourselves: Cavs Rumored to be Interested in Monta Ellis
Honestly, I have no clue why I’m even bringing this up, even though two major newspapers reported it this week. We all know how these stories end: With egg on our face.
The San Francisco Chronicle and New York Newsday reported this week that the Cavaliers may be chasing Golden State Warriors restricted free agent guard Monta Ellis, who has blossomed into one of the league’s most dynamic scorer just three years after being a second-round pick in 2005. To be fair, Ellis’ situation is a bit hairy since it is hard to determine his true monetary value based on his size, production, and the system (Don Nelson’s “Smallball”) that he plays in.
But the Warriors just lost unrestricted free agent point guard Baron Davis to the Los Angeles Clippers, and that may apply more pressure on Warriors GM Chris Mullin to bring back Ellis at any cost.
From Thursday morning’s New York Newsday:
Ellis, 22, a restricted free agent, is starting to draw a great deal of attention in several sign-and-trade scenarios. A person with knowledge of the situation said nine teams have made inquiries about Ellis. The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers have shown the most interest. The Knicks, who are searching for point guard help, are not one of those teams, but a second source said the Knicks have been monitoring the situation. Warriors executive vice president Chris Mullin has maintained he intends to sign Ellis.
And that’s not all. Friday morning’s San Francisco Chronicle elaborated on the situation:
Golden State vice-president Chris Mullin has the right to match any offer Ellis receives and has vowed to do so. But if the Warriors come in with an initial offer that Ellis’ camp deems too low, then they risk creating a sticky situation similar to that of Davis … Few teams can offer Ellis an outright deal worth more than the mid-level exception, but Ellis can push for a sign-and-trade to a team willing to pay him significantly more, which is what Davis was seeking before the Clippers unexpectedly found themselves with cap space … Possible suitors include the Cavaliers, who could use a dynamic guard to pair with LeBron James, or the Heat, who could offer Shawn Marion in a trade.
Let’s start out by saying that Shawn Marion is a whole hell of a lot more than what the Cavs can pony up, so if the Heat are that serious in adding Ellis to put in between Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley, then the Cavs honestly stand no chance (that might be the case already, but we might as well twist the knife since it’s already in there).
The only chance in hell that the Cavs may have is to blow everyone else’s offer out of the water and throw down the outright max contract to Ellis, who then proceeds to force the Warriors to send him to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade after agreeing in principle with the Cavs. That move would be unbelievably risky since Ellis, who is 6′3″ and 177, is considered to be too small to be a shooting guard and not a true point guard.
But you can’t argue with results: Ellis put up 20.2 points per game this season - his third in the league - by starting in 72 of 81 games, a year after putting up 16.5 a game and winning the league’s “Most Improved Player” honors. And although Ellis isn’t a good three-point shooter after coming off a season where he was only 23.1 percent (12-for-52) from downtown, his 20.2 points per game came on 53.1 percent shooting from the field, and his ability to drive to the hoop and finish has drawn him comparisons in some circles to Dwyane Wade.
But is Ellis just a product of Don Nelson’s fast-paced “Small Ball” system that puts a premium on smaller guards to complement an undersized frontcourt? Either way you look at it, Ellis will be 23 before the season starts and is the kind of dynamic complementary player that can be around LeBron James for the rest of his career. That’s the kind of alignment you want to look for when looking for a “Pippen.” Monta Ellis would be far, far from being just a quick fix.
I don’t know if “double sign-and-trades” work when swapping two restricted free agents, allowing the Cavs to sign-and-trade either Daniel Gibson or Delonte West (or both) in a possible deal. Throw in Anderson Varejao? With two first-round picks? I do know one thing for sure: If I’m Chris Mullin, I don’t want to trade Ellis to the Cavs for any of their crap. The only chance Cleveland has is to grossly overpay Ellis, make the Warriors reluctant to put down that much money for their budding star, and then make Ellis force Mullin to ship him to Cleveland.
A long shot. But like we said, let’s keep torturing ourselves.
This entry was posted
on Friday, July 4th, 2008 at 6:47 pm and is filed under Anderson Varejao, Monta Ellis, Delonte West, Danny Ferry, Michael Beasley, Chris Mullin, Shawn Marion, Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Don Nelson, Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers.
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54 Responses to “Let’s Keep Torturing Ourselves: Cavs Rumored to be Interested in Monta Ellis”
July 5th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Great article, and all too true. Just check out Cavs forums everywhere — we are quite masochistic about these far fetched possibilities and get overly excited about options that aren’t.
As exciting as Monta Ellis might be in a Cavs uniform, our actual chance of getting him is somewhere between slim and nil — not to mention, even that chance, with the cost it WOULD entail… Would it be worth it?
Boy do I love the offseason…
July 5th, 2008 at 9:28 am
no way! i think if we giv away joe smith, eric snow, and anderson varejao with some cash, he would be perfect. dont count us out yet!
July 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am
^^^Yeah, and what do the Warriors stand to gain by dumping Ellis for $18 million in expirings plus pocket money? These aren’t your grandpa’s Warriors anymore: They actually make moves that make them better and positioned to compete in the West. They wouldn’t have let B-Diddy just get away that easily if they weren’t intent on keeping Ellis and building around him. Losing Davis and then dumping Ellis for nothing more than expirings does NOTHING for them. Hell, it might drop Mullin beneath McHale and Chris Wallace as far as the worst GM in the league, maybe ever. Ellis for just expirings right after losing Davis???
July 5th, 2008 at 9:49 am
i think cav should get jr smith
July 5th, 2008 at 9:50 am
^^^I’ve been on the J.R. Smith bandwagon for quite a while now, and he’d be far, FAR easier to acquire than Ellis, although it would still be tricky. Any ideas?
July 5th, 2008 at 9:54 am
how about Josh Smith he can play PF or SF and cav need a PF
July 5th, 2008 at 9:58 am
i think the cavs should trade varejao and gibson and devon brown for ellis
July 5th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I THINK THEY SHOULD SING BEN GORDON
July 5th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Way out of our budget/ability! We can dream that we got Brand,Davis or even Maggette but the reality is that we will not get anyone else other than a washed up Ben Wallace or old Wally.The truth in all this is IT WON’T HAPPEN!!!! LeBron will be gone soon and we will look back and say that the only thing we could do was break up a pretty good team that just needed
a capable point guard (meaning leader) and maybe a decent perimeter shooter. Drew was almost a walking double double and so called Big Ben has done that maybe once since joining us. Bad trade all around we went to the finals pre-trade and got wiped out in round two. I think our squad from 06-07 could’ve beat boston and Detroit and then ultimately took out L.A. We should’ve and could’ve had a title in 2008
July 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I STILL THINK THEY SHOULD GET OR BEN GORDON Stephon Marbury
July 5th, 2008 at 10:28 am
We played the celtics 2nd round and we didnt get “wiped out” we were within 2 minutes of winning it IN boston but we couldnt catch up. we were never out of the race. Ben played good D in the playoffs and wally is wally. cant blame him. but its not like we had any better SG before the trade..
July 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
They shouldn’t have made the trade last year if they could have Billups or even got Jason Kidd during the year. If the couldn’t afford then they could have even got PG, Mike bibby who is good and not as expensive as billups and Kidd. Like come on ferry you are a very bad GM! Still LET GO CAVS!!!!
July 5th, 2008 at 10:39 am
THE ANSWER IS Stephon Marbury
July 5th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Stephon Marbury…the guy’s track record shows that every team he leaves gets better overnight (Minnesota in early ’00s, New Jersey in ‘02, Phoenix in ‘04) while every team he goes to blows ass (New Jersey in ‘00, Phoenix in ‘02, New York in ‘04). And you not only want to add him to this team, but you want to add a banged-up 30-year old version of him.
Here’s all you need to know about “Starbury”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYY338_JgvI
July 5th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I Think The Cav’s Need To Trade Danny Ferry, Mike Brown For People Who have A clue of finding talent and useing it properly, where is the center behind Z? ben wallace too old and burnt out how can you trade your starting power-forward and shooting guard both under 30 for delonte west which is just what DannyBoy did. let’s get older when lebron leaves, should have gone after ben gordon and tyrus thomas giving up to minor vets for two struggleing youngsters or at lease one of them with wallace. trade andy V he flops, funny how the Cav’s seem to try to make hero’s out of these’s minor players like andyV and earl boykins and they are doing the same with boobie gibson
July 5th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Here’s what the Cavs lost when they traded for Ben Wallace in February:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFOFE5O6hnA&NR=1
Say what you want about Drew but there isn’t a single power forward on this roster of his caliber. Not even close, and definitely not Ben Wallace’s corpse.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I Think they shouldn’t trade Wally because he old,i think we can trade wally and gibson for Richard Hamilton And Devin Brown and delonte west for Odom and ilgauskas and pavlovic and Joe Smith for iverson ,i think the Cavs gonna be better if this much of trade gonna be do,i think the cavs gonna be in the Final.
GO CAVS GO
July 5th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
okay article but if you want a gaurd why not try to trade west and a draft pick for leonard barbosa???
July 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
if you guys want a gaurd why not trade delonte west and a draft pick to the suns for leonard barbosa but we all know we need a big man so is what i would do id trade verajoa and z for a guy like jermaine oneal or even better and younger probably more durible chris bosh maybe throw in a draft pick depending on how the raptors do
July 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I HEARD THAT FERRY IS TRADING DWAYNE JONES AND ERIC SNOW FOR KOBE BRYANT STRAIGHT UP!
July 5th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE, WE NEED A SHOOTING GUARD… PERIOD, ID SAY WERE PRETTY STACKED IN ALL THE OTHER POSITIONS, I KNOW ITS A LONG SHOT, BUT IM STILL ROOTIN FOR REDD, BUT IF WE DO GET ELLIS, PUT HIM AT SG
July 5th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
GET RID OF WALLY (I CAN’T DRIBBLE) , ANDERSON (I CAN’T STAND UP) , ERIC
(WASHED UP) , AND DAMON ( HEADCASE).
AND MAYBEE THE CAVS COULD FREE UP SOME CASH FOR MARION OR REDD OR ODOM . TRADE FERRY FOR SIX FLAT BASKETBALLS!
July 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Good God…do you people never learn?!?!?!?! I try I try and I try but I guess this is all I get rewarded with.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
four one we need a coach for lebron he can’t teach him self then we need a point and a new center we these theams we had with lebron we can’t win it all may be make it but not when it but since we are so cheap lebron will be playin four the nets look the nets are gettin good and young all they gone need is a lebron type player and he’s with jay z thats who he look up to so it was nice while it lasted we he leave i’m going with we will when there
July 5th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Look, I don’t care what anyone says… THE TRADE WAS GOOD! Drew only showed up every other game and Larry Hughes is highly over paid. Furthermore, I will back our new pf JJ and would pit him against Gooden any day. I’m sick of all the negativity. Yeah we lost in the second round, but IT WAS AGAINST THE CHAMPS! Not to mention we only had half a season to play with each other. Plus Boobie wasn’t at full strength. The Cavs are building a team around defense and the last few years are proof positive that it wins championships. We are already a good team, anything else will be icing on the cake and will definitely put us over the top.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
P.S. If someone wants rant on a Cleveland team…
Has anyone seen the Tribe lately?
July 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I am glad to see that the last post on here prior to mine is someone who has a little sense. I read every single post on this page and I came across maybe four people who even had a true statement. First of all, if the Cavaliers had only “junk” on the team, why is it that they gave Boston the best series of any of the teams the Celtics faced in the playoffs (and don’t think for one moment I didn’t add in the LeBron factor or consider the Hawks series)? Aside from that, I will say that I had constantly been one of Drew Gooden’s biggest supporters, but even I can admit that he was too inconsistent to be a true impact player for the Cavaliers. Besides, he is a guy who needs to shoot the ball 10-15 times per game and he isn’t able to get that on a LeBron lead team–especially when he was shooting like garbage. Big Ben, washed up or not, fit into the puzzle much more appropriately, especially with Joe Smith scoring off the bench. Anyway, because I don’t want to waste all of my night explaining why the Cavs did everything right, I just want to finish by saying “thank you” illson for taking a little heat off a team like the Cavs–literally one more impact player away from a championship (can anyone say James Posey?–mid level money) and put the heat where it belongs–on the incredibly underachieving Tribe (who by the way, relies almost as heavily on Grady Sizemore as the Cavs have on LeBron). Just hoping now that fall comes in sooner than later and I get to watch the Buckeyes go to the National Championship three years in a row and the Browns finally make a splash in the playoffs.
July 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Great Comment TMT! I completely agree with you.. I’d trade Danny Ferry for six flat basketballs anyday.. He may have made one of the worst trades of all time this year.. Not only did he get less talented players than what he had to begin with but he also brought in a bunch of players that he will never be able to trade.. I think I would trade Mike Brown for 2 flat basketballs.. He is probably the worst Coach in the NBA.. Anybody who thinks that Sasha Pavolic is going to be a solid NBA player obviously doesn’t know Basketball… Mike Brown blew that Celtics series big time!!!
July 5th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Unfortunately the die hard Cleveland fans like myself are in for another heartbreak.. We might as well kiss Lebron goodbye…
July 5th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
hey come on guys. let us repsect what the cavs front office doing for this cleveland roster. they doing their job to find a great players around the king. but the only thing is they are having a hard time because their salary cap is too high now because of some players. but ofcourse i know they are working 24/7 to find a man behind lebron. lets just have a LITTLE FAITH. this is some big names around the market. and i hope they can get one or two within this guys.
-michael redd SG
-vince carter SG
-josh smith PF/SF
-jamse posey SF/SG
-luol deng SF
-ben gordon SG
-jr smith SF/SG
-kelenna azubuike SF/SG
-monta ellis SG
-mickael pietrus SF/SG
-elton brand PF
-shaun livingston PG
-corey magette SG
-sasha vujacic SG
-ronny turiaf PF/SF
-ricky davis SF/SG
-sebastian telfair PG
-jannero pargo SG/PG
-bonzi wells SF/SG
-stephon marbury PG
-carlos arroyo PG
-keyon dooling SG/PG
-andre iguodala SG
-paul mllisap SF/SG
-carlos delfino SF/SG
-ron artest SF/SG
or get some better player via trade.
this is the only chance for the cavs to get a ring.
lebron can make this possible because of the players around him. goodluck cavs.
and for the other flat headeds there. dont underestimate my man big ben wallace. he is a future hall of famer. 4-time defensive player of the year. so give some RESPECT!
July 5th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
good god ppl are you all nuts with some of the trades you have proposed? this is not nba live 08-where you can trade garbage for an all-star. bottom line is, the Cavaliers need to make a move for a legitimate all-star who is under the age of 30 and do it now. Danny Ferry and Dan Gilbert need to put up or shut up. Unless there are some players turning free agent next year that Ferry thinks he can get, that will make this team an instant winner for Lebrons final year on his contract, you can kiss the king goodbye. It does seem that Cleveland teams cant seem to pull the trigger when they need to, and let our championship hopes slip away.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
The perfect fit for Lebron’s sidekick would be Andre Iguodala. Not Redd, not Ellis, and certainly not JR Smith. Iguodala is a rising player on the crust of stardom and is on the verge of becoming a all-star. he just needs that “push” and I think pairing with Lebron would do wonder’s for both player’s. This would be the next true Jordan & Pippen duo if Ferry had any kind of common sense.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
The move to make is to sign ROGER MASON
July 6th, 2008 at 12:46 am
First, I agree that the cavs need a better coach but they should not fire mike brown because he is a good defensive “assistant” coach.
Second, the cavs shouldn’t trade west or gibson. They should trade wallace, wally, and snow for monta/jr smtih/a better player instead. This would be a nice offer and it will free up cap space for the cavs to sign/trade for a better player like josh smith or iguodala or a better and younger big man.
Third, not to disrespect ben wallace, but I think he is now a shadow of his former self, unlike gibson who is a three point threat and will get better and west who is also responsible in helping the cavs extend the second round against boston to a game 7.
Note: The cavs cann now afford to lose a PF/C because they drafted and signed two PF already.
July 6th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Monta Ellis in a Cavs uniform would be pretty awesome.
Hopefully Danny Ferry does something to make it happen.
Good luck.
July 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Lebron can run the point if we can get our hand on Ellis but honestly we should be trying to send Anderson and Sasha and 2nd round pick to Lakers for Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf. We’d get another big to spell Z and the SG that we need. Plus Vujacic plays crazy defense and Turiaf is a solid PF/C off the bench. If we cant’ pull that off then we need to look at Mickael Pietrus, JR Smith, Josh Childress, Martell Webster, or Desmond Mason.
Notice that none of these guys will break the bank and all will add something we need. Leave it up to me and I’d grab a SG and a young SF like Webster, Pietrus, or Childress to run with LB when he’s basically running the point.
2008 Starting Lineup
PG - West
SG - Pietrus
SF- James
PF- Hickson
C - Z or Turiaf
Bench
PG - Gibson
SG - Sasha, Webster
SF- Jackson
PF - Smith 15 mins
C - Wallace 20 mins
Go CAVS!!!!!
July 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Amar, look at what you’ve created here…
July 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I honestly think we’re going to have to settle for Posey, which isn’t bad. He’s a solid 6th man and can knock down that 3 ball. I cant see many teams taking on our expiring contracts till midseason, if at all. Keep dreaming of E-snow being traded because I heard he’s just going to call it quits. D-jones and Wally’s contracts should be more enticing come the trade deadline, but again, will it be enough time for the guys to gel??
July 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
i think they should get gilbert areans
July 6th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Smooth-
I told you man, “Let’s keep torturing ourselves.”
July 7th, 2008 at 2:49 am
this is a bunch of jokes .
come on guys.
just have a little faith.
we need to help and trust each other.
this is my recomended pick-ups for the cavs.
(if some of the staff of the cavs reading this)
well. . as of now. our biggest need is a shooting guard.
the one who will play with lebron on the brakes.
we have 2 push point guards in boobie and delonte.
we need a 6th man too. it means posey might be in there.
but defenitely we need a shooting guard.
here some helpful names on my mind.
1. Andre Igoudala - he is a shooting gurad. a very athletic young kid. ready to be an all-star. remember when he and andre miller push the 76ers to the playoffs. thats one hungry kid. he just need a true leader and a king like lerbron.
2.Monta Ellis- he is a one time most improved player. im sure he will improve again this season. and might a big help if he will be the other hand of lebron on the lanes. he is a one of the best finisher in the nba. and have a decent touch outiside. might be a good addition too.
3.Michael Redd- he is a proven shooter in the arc. well he is. but his numbers are dipping low this last season because of his injury. i think we have a chance to get him this off-season. because they get richard jefferson there. and maybe they will in rebuilding process. i just dont know if they will give up redd.
4.Ben Gordon- he is deadly hell of a shooter outiside and in the 2-point areas. but that is defenitely a problem in size.
maybe a 6th man for BG. but i just dont know if the bulls will give him up this season.
5.J.R. Smith- he is great off the bench player in denver. but i just dont know he will be a great addition to the team. maybe yes or maybe no. im not sure with the type of play he has. but he is a contributor indeed.
dts wts on my mind. i just dont know whats on THEIR mind.
well gooduck cavs.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:43 am
i think the caavs should go after josh smith and j.r. smith!!! to young talented players that would definitly help take them to the next level.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I think I’m going to kill myself.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
get kidd!!!
July 7th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Ellis should go to cavs. In two years he will be a NBA champion!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:26 am
give varejao to GSW and sign ellis….
Go CAvs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:53 am
if u want to build some serious muscle visit the link below
http://hardcore-training.blogspot.com/2008/06/high-intensity-training.html
July 8th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Amar,
This just got pretty funny here in the last 10 or so posts… lol. Ok people, I have to say that a move needs to be made this year. We cannot…CANNOT wait until next year. Next year is some “last ditch” effort to get something for LeBron.
I really liked what Bdiddy could have brought, but that was out of reach. With what remains, I would love to see Maggette, Ellis, or Posey. I think some people are viewing an acquisition of Posey as being something small, but I believe he was a key component to the Celtics run last year. He plays tough defense on star SGs and SFs, and is the most likely to come to Cleveland.
Getting Ellis or C. Maggette might be pretty tough, but I am hoping mgmt will make some attempts and I also hope we can land Posey.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:59 am
“If ya feeling like a pimp nigga go and brush yo shoulders off…”
July 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I don’t really like Ellis in Mike’s Brown’s system. I also don’t think Maggette is the answer. Peronsally I think Iguodala is a much better prospect than people realize. Iguodala is still developing and that’s the thing i like about him. He’s athletic and can play defense. Pair him with Lebron and u got a seriou duo on ur hands. The other player that would’ve been great was Brand.
People mentioning Baron Davs, Ellis, etc.. are just jumping to any available free agent. It doesn’t work like that. Just becase a player is available doesn’t mean they will mix with Lebron. Everybody thinks lebron need a true PG. That’s non sense because Lebron has PG qualities so he don’t need a “true” PG. The cavs offense suck so bad so ppl tend to look at the postion they obvious lack in. However, u add another capable 20+ scorer to the team and u will see Lebron don’t have to have a true PG. Jordan never played with a real PG. Jordan just needed another dominate and capable player and he got that in Pippen.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Iguodala is going to stay in Philly now that they have Elton Brand. I always thought that the Iggy-to-Cleveland suggestions were nothing more than pipedreams, as it will be downright impossible to pry him away from the Sixers unless they continuously low-ball him. After the season he put up in 07-08, I don’t think that’ll be a problem for them anymore.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Dubs fan here,
It’s fun hearing you guys toturing yourselves over Ellis.
The only guy you’d get from us that is a possibility is Al Harrington. Al Harrington and S/T Matt Barnes or Kosta Perovic for Joe Smith, Eric Snow and 1st rounder. (Salaries match)
I think Barnes could have a good year, if he goes to the right team. He had a tough year last year, due in large part to his mother passing away.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
ANTHONY RANDOLPH!!!
30 pts 8 rebs 2 blcks and he absolutely outplayed Thaddeus Young!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 8:52 am
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