Lebron is a global icon, he doesn’t need New York to get huge endorsements. The change would be very minimal. Plus, the Knicks are still in a cap mess, so the five players you suggested that might all join the Knicks is just not possible. Maybe one of the big stars and some other starters or role players. But two or three stars are not going to go to the Knicks.

As far as Maggs for Z, I like it as a Warrior fan and I think the Cavs would be interested as well. They need to score points, and Maggs does that as efficiently as anybody. Z would be a nice back-up center for us, or could be started alongside Bieds or Turiaf in a big line-up. Nelly love bigs that can shoot.

And then there’s your Dirk proposal. How do we have the money to give Dirk the max contract that he will command. We would have to move one of our big contracts (Jackson, Ellis, Bieds, Maggette) to make that happen. Plus, we all know Cuban is going to do everything he can to keep him. He retires a Mav.

Would you trade Zadrunas Ilgauskas for Corey Maggette and Brandon Wright?

I think Cleveland’s only true chance to re-sign LeBron is and only if LeBron wants to stay in Cleveland.

In 2010, LeBron and any key free agent who joins him can build a dynasty in New York or New Jersey; building a team from scratch, maybe taking less money in an NBA contract only to make up for any perceived loss of revenue in huge endorsement deals.

I can see LeBron, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire and Shaq all headed to the Knicks in 2010. So, why would Danny Ferry hang onto Zadrunas Ilgauskas in the hopes of obtaining Chris Bosch in 2010 and keeping Lebron, if LeBron quite possibly has no intention of staying in Cleveland? If you were LeBron, would you stay in Cleveland if you had the chance to make over a billion dollars in endorsements in 1-3 years by simply heading to New York? If you were Danny Ferry, wouldn’t you at least make any deal that helps you to at least win a ring in 2009?

I really like that trade – Maggette, Jackson and Claxton to Houston for McGrady, but I think Houston’s in a holding pattern until they know the fate of Yao Ming. Secondly, I just hate to see Warriors players being traded within the conference; that’s just asking for trouble.

As for the Cavs, I don’t know if Cleveland needs Big Z more than they need to put points on the board whenever LeBron sits. Maggette can put points on the board as their 6th man and can get the Cavs to the free throw line. Last year, Cleveland went through the playoffs with Z and Varejao and they did pretty well. However, now that Shaq is in Cleveland, Z’s role is really diminished. If Cleveland trades Z for Maggette, they can still find a suitable F/C backup in the remaining free agents that are still out there i.e. Jermaine O’Neal, Jarron Collins, Sean Marks etc. And I think any of those players would happily sign a 1 year contract to get a ring and later join the free agent class in 2010.

As for Cleveland making a run at Bosh, I think it would behoove the Cavs to first make sure that they still have LeBron in 2010. And that means, they need to win it all this year; anything less and I think LeBron is definitely off to New York/New Jersey. Even if the Cavs win a championship, the amount of endorsements that LeBron and any free agent who joins him in the New York area will far exceed what they would make in Cleveland. So, Big Z’s expiring contract has more value now than in 2010, because Cleveland will have increased their chances of winning it all in 2009 and possibly keeping LeBron. And, if Bosh heads to New York or Cleveland to be with LeBron, that would be fine by me. There’s another 2010 free agent that I’d like to see in a Warriors uniform:

2010 Warriors:
Monta Ellis, Stephan Curry, C.J. Watson
Stephen Jackson, Anthony Morrow, Marco Belinelli
Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike
Dirk Nowitzki, Brandan Wright
Andris Biedrins, Ronny Turiaf

Expiring contracts are valuable. I doubt if Cleveland cashes it in for Maggette and his contract. They will get better offers. They are trying to re-sign LeBron, which they will only be able to do if they bring in some help (Chris Bosh). They won’t be taking on $40-plus million.
The likelihood, however, is that they won’t move Z and let him come off the cap next year.

I like Acie Law. He seems better than what I thought. A good passer. Under control. Sees the floor. I wonder if he can score like the Warriors usually want from their point guard. If he can’t, he’ll be a spot-up shooter while someone else creates. I haven’t seen his outside shot in person yet.

Oh, and you are forgetting about a particular veteran who hasn’t openly embraced anyone yet.

2010 Warriors:
Monta Ellis, Stephan Curry, C.J. Watson
Stephen Jackson, Anthony Morrow, Marco Belinelli
Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike
Chris Bosh, Brandan Wright
Andris Biedrins, Ronny Turiaf