Sporting Fools

After being spurned by Ray Allen and Michael Redd, the Cavaliers finally found someone willing to play Pippen to LeBron's Jordan in Larry Hughes.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to throw back five years and 70 million for Hughes, but I will say that it's a better signing than Michael Redd would've been. Hughes is a great defender, he can dish, he can assist and he can keep up with a talent like LeBron.

That being said, Hughes is a little brittle and the Cavs still need to sign a shooter or a power forward with their mid-level money. This is a two-year experiement, if it doesn't work LeBron is gone. He might be gone anyway, but if this pairing isn't successful he'll definitely leave.

The Cleveland front office has all but shown LeBron the door. They completely messed up the Carlos Boozer situation (although Boozer lied through his teeth as well), they harassed and fired the coach that he loved playing for and now they couldn't get the best free agent on the market to buy into playing with the NBA's top star. In 2007, don't be surprised to see a LeBron-for-Kobe deal being swung. I'm not saying it will happen, just don't be surprised if it does.

Hughes Was Best Option All Along [Akron Beacon-Journal]

Update: Well the Cavaliers are now searching for their bodyguard and according to the Miami Herald, they have set their sights on Udonis Haslem. Haslem is a restricted free agent, but Miami is restricted in their ability to pay him.

Cavaliers Making Run at Haslem [Miami Herald]