I’m so glad this isn’t really going to happen. I wouldn’t be able to take it unless Big-Z was part of the package, which I don’t think Cleavland is stupid enough to do.

If this does happen, the Texans will need to miraculously make the playoffs or I will kill myself.

But we can still trade Luther Head… right? Pretty please?!?!?

Why do these guys keep making stuff up? I don’t get it.

There’s never been a Hoopsworld rumor that’s even close to something true.

it is most likely the last Hoopsworld rumor i’ll post. I wrote that, posted it, and then though to myself, “how would this BS ever happen?”

This seems like pure speculation. The Cavs have expiring contracts to trade in Szczerbiak, Pavlovic and Snow. They seem to want to keep Snow’s contract so they can collect an insurance payment. Since that $7 million contract could be a valuable trading piece for a completely useless player, this shows that they are a bit cost conscious at the moment, which is entirely understandable since they are paying the luxury tax for the second year in a row. I believe this is why they will not trade Szczerbiak’s $13 million contract unless they can get a superstar in his prime. And frankly, I think it would have to be for a big man with at least two years on his contract. Pavlovic is another story. His contract is not guaranteed next year, so keeping him would allow the Cavs to get about $5 million under the luxury threshold next year. On the other hand, he is young and has some talent. I could see a non-contending team taking a flyer on him, letting him get big minutes and either letting the contract expire, or picking up the relatively cheap option $5 million if he plays well, knowing they can always let the contract expire in time for the free agent bonanza in 2010.

Which brings me to my point: Why do you think the Rockets would want to trade a guy next year rather than this year. If you don’t see him as part of the team going forward, the ideal scenario is to get cap relief now, not in another year (assuming you can get value). McGrady’s talent is such that most contending teams wouldn’t want him just on a one year rental. Once you get to teams stricly looking for cap relief, that actually decreases his value. This is exactly when Houston could get value for him.

Yeah, I know they said they will pay it, but those comments have chilled out in recent months. Just because they said they will pay it, doesn’t mean they want to. I think it would have to be a great deal for them to get into that situation again. Paying the luxury tax just isn’t sexy anymore, for any of the teams. More teams are trying to build in the mode of the Spurs, without paying the tax.

Bottom line, is that the only thing of Value the Cavs have to offer (that they would be willing to part with) the Rockets would be cap room and maybe Delonte West or Gibson (though Morey is too much of a stathead to like either of those guys). I would think the Cavs would have to give up a hell of a lot more than that to get McGrady.

You guys could use a bit of cap room next year, but it’s not a desperate situation. It’s hard to imagine the Cavs paying what would amount to nearly $80 million for two years of McGrady. Overall, I just don’t see the right parts out there to make a trade between these two teams period. You guys are still trying to contend — the Cavs have a good thing going now — and the contracts don’t work.