NBA Trade Deadline Brings Heavy Speculation About Future of "Z" & JJ Hickson; Give Up The Future or Grab The NBA Ring Now?

As the NBA deadline quickly approaches on February 18th, all Cavalier fans are holding their collective breath as they wait and wonder what Cleveland GM Danny Ferry will decide. Does he stand pat with the chemistry and present talent or finalize a deal giving up Zydrunas Ilgauskas and JJ Hickson for the Phoenix Suns Amar'e Stoudemire.

Here are the facts. Amar'e Stoudemire is 27 yrs. old;6'10" and 259 lbs.; 5 time NBA All Star including this past 2010 All Star starting Western Conference power forward;He is averaging 21+ PPG, 8+ RPG and averages those virtual identical numbers in PPG and RPG for his career. He would be an outstanding established offensive threat that would further strengthen the best team in the NBA. Those are the positives.

Some of the downsides. Amar'e had surgery on both knees in 2005-06 season. Microfracture surgery on the left knee and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. In 2008-09 season he had surgery to repair a detached retina. All injuries have healed and he appears to have fully recovered, but knee injuries and a detached retina are susceptible to vulnerability in the aggressive arena and highly physical nature of the NBA. In Phoenix, the media has criticized him for his lack of consistent defense and rebounding. But, remember that Phoenix doesn't have a reputation for lock down defense versus the Cavaliers leading the league in several defensive categories.

As to his character, he has a reputation for being a good guy, low key, family driven. He has some problems within his extended family getting in legal trouble but disciplined himself to be a respectable, solid citizen and role model. Also, he is actively involved in community charities and activities.

I would give Danny Ferry the green light and encourage him to be the "Riverboat Gambler" on this trade for Amar'e Stoudemire. There are too many upsides, not to mention the fact that one of my inside sources advises me that Stoudemire would be a blue chip player that would serve two purposes. First, be the knockout punch on offense to further ensure the NBA Championship and give us the ability to sign him to at least a two year deal and ensure us a legitimate All Star to add to our present talent.

So, if the worst case happened after the season, and we lost LeBron, we would not have to rebuild from scratch with Amar'e Stoudemire, Mo Williams, Shaq, Anthony Parker, Anderson Verajao, Delonte West, Jamario Moon, Boobie Gibson, Jawad Williams, Danny Green; et al. On the other hand, after we win the NBA Championship that may be the coup de gras to win the grand prize, inking LeBron James to a new contract in Cleveland and giving him the keys to establish himself as the greatest player in NBA history, positioning himself to win multiple championships. And at 25, he could concievably surpass both Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan's number of rings! Wow, what a bright future on the horizon for Cleveland Cavaliers fans if all this comes to pass! Give me your take.
Tom Eardley

The Cleveland Sports Professor