The Cavs play CSKA Moscow tonight in Cleveland. Plus, reports on Mo Williams, J.J. Hickson, Anthony Parker, etc.
Guard Mo Williams will be counted on to provide much of the offense for the Cavaliers.Cleveland, Ohio -- Just 11 days until the Cleveland Cavaliers open their 41st NBA season -- on Oct. 27 -- with a home game against the Boston Celtics.
Tonight, Cleveland hosts CSKA Moscow in a preseason game. Moscow's roster includes former a former Cavalier, guard Trajan Langdon, and a potential future Cav, center Sasha Kaun.
Kaun, from the University of Kansas, was picked by the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder) in the second round of the 2008 draft. This is Kaun's third season in Russia, but he remains Cavaliers' property.
The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer writes about Kaun.
Mo to go?
Guard Mo Williams is one of the Cavaliers top scoring threats. Zach Lowe writes for "The Point Forward" page on Sports Illustrated's SI.com that Williams is also one of the top trade "chips" in the NBA:
Williams has an early termination option for 2011-12, meaning he can opt out of the $8.5 million he is scheduled to make next season and become a free agent. But if he chooses to stay on his current deal, he would have an $8.5 million player option for the 2012-13 season. In other words, Williams could either become a free agent after this season or stay in Cleveland for two years and $17 million.
The Cavaliers, who might hang around the fringes of the Eastern Conference playoff race, might be willing to deal Williams either way. If they think he’s going to leave, why not get something for him? Williams comes at a reasonable price, and a lot of teams could use a scoring point guard with a good three-point shot.
The Cavaliers could also get far under the projected cap if they deal Williams for assets that expire after the 2010-11 season and renounce the massive trade exception they got when LeBron James left for Miami. They could also keep Williams and stay under the 2011-12 cap, but why not get another $8.5 million in cap space if you can?
J.J.'s year?
This season looks to be one of opportunity for several young Cavaliers. Among them is power forward J.J. Hickson, entering his third season after playing one year at North Carolina State.
Brandon Ribak writes for NBAPrimetime.com that Hickson is among the young NBA players who could have a breakout season:
Last season J.J. Hickson posted 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in just 20.9 minutes per contest. With LeBron not around Hickson should be provided with plenty of minutes per game, giving him an opportunity to average close to a double-double every night.
At the age of 22, Hickson has potential to be a top candidate for the Most Improved Player of the Year Award, especially if he can remain healthy and produce with the ample amount of playing time given.
Pick and rolls
On NBA.com/cavaliers, a health update on Joe Tait, the Hall of Fame radio announcer for the Cavaliers.
Playing against CSKA Moscow reminds Cavs guard Anthony Parker of when he was playing overseas, Jason Lloyd writes for the Akron Beacon Journal.
A report on the Cavaliers from USAToday.com.
And, a report on the Cavaliers by the Sports Xchange on CBSSports.com.
A look at the Cavs going into the season, by Jerry Roche on TheClevelandFan.com.
Sasha Kaun's thoughts about maybe playing for the Cavaliers someday, by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.