Cavs Run on Diesel

June 25, 2009 10:26am CDT

In an effort to conquer the "Worst GM in the Game" trophy, Steve Kerr has traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and the 46th pick in the Thursday's draft. The move shoots Kerr to the top of the standings, but it may not be his worst move since taking over the Suns two seasons ago. The franchise had won an average of 59 games in the three seasons before Kerr arrived, and they made it to the Western Conference Finals on two occasions. They had the hottest coach in the game (Mike D'Antoni), a team that was as entertaining as any in sports, and a style that helped cultivate a two-time MVP. After starting off the 2007-08 season at 34-14 (.708), Kerr traded Shawn Marion, the best fantasy player of the past decade, for Shaquille O'Neal, who was averaging all of 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds and was clearly in decline. The Suns would win just 21 of their next 34 (.618) and were bounced by the Spurs in the first round of the 2008 playoffs.

This season, their first (and last) full campaign with Shaq, the Suns failed to make the playoffs. Had Kerr kept Marion (and D'Antoni), the Suns could have legitimately made two more runs at the Finals while being the focal point of "Where Amazing Happens." They also would have had over $17 million coming off of the books this season, whereas Shaq was still on the hook for $20 million.

And that is why they made this deal. While many observers may see this move as Kerr's effort to gain historic ground on former Clippers GM Elgin Baylor, this was actually a move triggered by owner Robert Sarver, who didn't want to pay O'Neal. Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic are not what we call "good basketball players," but they can, and will, be bought out. Only $1.5 million of Pavlovic's $5 million contract is guaranteed next season. He is as good as gone. Wallace is probably out the door, too. The rapidly aging and declining center said after the playoffs that he may be ready to retire, and this move may have sealed the deal. Already with one foot in the career-grave, Wallace figures to accept a buyout from Kerr and his cronies. Depending on the buyout price, the move saves the Suns eight figures and gets them out of the luxury tax.

Meanwhile, Shaq joins the best team from last year's regular season, the Cavaliers, who went 66-16 in 2008-09. On the surface, this looks like a total coup for the Cavs. However, the last time Shaq was traded, his new team also held the best record in the league and went into a dramatic decline after his arrival. The Cavs now have two huge centers, Shaq and the 7-foot-3 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who also happen to be perhaps the two slowest players in the league. Still, many feel that Shaq could put the Cavs on top. After six games, LeBron James and company were bounced by the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The hope is that Shaq can help negate Dwight Howard of the Magic. But does Shaq improve their dreadful pick-and-roll defense? Not at all.

Shaq has a self-made history with Howard. He's made a number of uncalled-for comments directed at the young, dominant Magic center. "(N)ever be another me. (Howard's) a good player, but everything he's done, I've invented. So I'm not impressed."

Shaq also told Sports Illustrated about Howard channeling Superman, saying, "Doesn't bother me. I can't be impressed by something I invented in '92. I mean, you look at what he is doing, I've been there and done that. Every street he is driving down in Orlando, I have been on that street. Every nightclub, every restaurant... I have been there and done that. Until he wins three, four championships, then we can talk about him. But right now, he is just like every other big guy: You can run and jump, but you haven't won yet." In response, Howard has always taken the high road.

The table is set. Is this enough to get the Cavs to the Finals? One would have to think so. They were already the major favorites to win the Eastern Conference last season, but they will need to retain free agent Anderson Varejao in order to have a starting power forward on their roster. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is blowing more money than anyone else in the league, and its likely being done in a panic. Many feel that if the Cavs do not win a championship next season, LeBron will leave via free agency in the summer of 2010. Shaq wants a two-year extension, but it would be hard to believe the Cavs offer him a deal prior to locking up James.

Some interesting possible ramifications of this move by the Suns organization include the fact that Kerr holds a team option on Steve Nash's final year of his contract. They are expected to exercise the option, but it's possible they may just decide to shed Nash as well. Also, Grant Hill is a free agent, and he likely has lost all interest in playing for this franchise following the trade. Kerr is just a few strokes away from single-handedly achieving what the Decepticons could not - destroying the Suns.

On the bright side, I can remember a time when the Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak traded Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins for Kwame Brown. He also managed to let his team go two seasons with Smush Parker starting at point guard. This season, he won an NBA Championship. Apparently, GMs sometimes have to burn down the house before building a champion.

Still, I cannot lay all the blame at the feet of Kerr. There's a very strong possibility that Shaq bullied his way from Phoenix to Cleveland. The recent NBA Finals that featured Howard's Magic against Kobe Bryant's Lakers was a nightmare for the big man. He has always talked about being measured by championships, and he certainly wants a fifth ring. Currently, he's tied with Tim Duncan and Kobe with four rings apiece. With the Cavs, not only does he have his best opportunity to win his fifth, but he could be in position to prevent his rivals from doing the same.