Article:Cleveland Contenders? Cavaliers recieve Big Ben in 11 man deal.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Seattle Supersonics, and the Chicago Bulls pulled off a huge 11 man trade right before the trade deadline today. This was a move that was most likely made because of LeBron’s requests at improving the team and adding fresh faces to help with their championship dreams. This is who went where:

Cleveland Cavaliers get


 * Ben Wallace (from Chi)
 * Joe Smith (from Chi)
 * 2009 2nd Round Draft pick (from Chi)
 * Wally Szczerbiak (from Sea)
 * Delonte West (from Sea)

Chicago Bulls get


 * Drew Gooden (from Cle)
 * Larry Hughes (from Cle)
 * Cedric Simmons (from Cle)
 * Shannon Brown (Cle)

Seattle Supersonics get


 * Ira Newble (from Cle)
 * Donyell Marshall (from Cle)
 * Adrian Griffin (from Chi)

A deal of this size probably came to surprise in LeBron’s eyes because of the fact it seemed as though Cleveland wasn’t really in heavy trade talks with any franchise. This deal brings in some big names that could essentially put the Cavaliers at the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics level. Bringing in these players was a move to help the Cavaliers compete with those two power houses in the East. Ben Wallace will be a big help down low defensively, but adds little to no help offensively. Still, Wallace and Ilgauskas will be a formidable duo down low. The Cavs will also get help from Szczerbiak, his outside shooting will be greatly appreciated off the bench (where I presume he will come from). Gaining Delonte West as a backup point guard or starting shooting guard also helps this team. West has great potential and can also shoot the long ball. All in all Cleveland still has LeBron and this makes them an even better contender adding such great interior defense. I just don’t know if they can overcome the Celtics, but I can definitely see them beating Detroit (again).

Seattle did not make these trades to help with their playoff hopes however. Seattle is well out of the playoff race and this deal for them was looking towards free agency. This trade gave them some cap room for hopes of signing some free agents to make a playoff push next year. Shipping out Szczerbiak’s fat contract will really help in those efforts. In Chicago’s case, they could still make the playoffs and it seems as though it was to get rid of a disappointing Ben Wallace and his big contract which is worth $30 million over the next two years. The Bulls are only two games out of the eight spot in the playoffs, which is held by the Philadelphia 76ers. A change of personal really seemed to be the Bulls’ goal. They wanted to mix it up and adding Gooden and Hughes could actually help with the playoff goals.