5 Players The Cavs Should Pursue This Summer

June 2, 2009

1. Josh Childress (swingman): Will probably return to the NBA after a season in Greece - and Atlanta still holds his restricted free agent rights. 

How about offering Atlanta a package deal for Childress - one featuring Cavs guard Boobie Gibson and JJ Hickson (and maybe more, depending on the price of signing Childress to a new deal)?

2. Chris Andersen (forward/center): We begged the Cavs last summer to pursue Andersen as a free agent - and they did have mild interest back then. He’d be a decent replacement - in energy and production - for Anderson Varejao if the latter leaves the Cavs.

3. Jamal Crawford (shooting guard): Wore out his welcome in Golden State. But he could serve as the Cavs’ version of Mickael Pietrus, the Magic swingman who killed Cleveland during the conference finals.

4. Zaza Pachulia (center-forward): An affordable big body - and a banger with an attitude.

5. Tyson Chandler (center): When he’s healthy and wants to play, the guy can make a significant impact as a rebounder - and he’s more athletic than any current Cavs big man not named  “Anderson Varejao.”

And Chandler should be motivated to prove something after a disappointing 2008-09 season.

If we’re the Cavs, we beg - beg - Ben Wallace not to retire.

 (Though, honestly, Junkyard still doesn’t believe Wallace will actually walk away from the $14 million salary he’d get next season).

Then, we lobby New Orleans to take Wallace (an attractive trade chip since his fat contract expires after next season) in exchange for Chandler.

And lobby for the Hornets to throw in a reserve like shooting guard Rasual Butler - so that the contracts swapped in the deal are even.

Hey, it’s not like the Hornets are swimming in money - and don't need to make payroll-related moves.

And they've certainly been willing to trade Chandler in the past.

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-Posted at 7:30 a.m.