The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Antawn Jamison to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The trade is included in a three team deal between the Cavaliers, Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers.  The Cavs will also be getting Sebastian Telfair from the Clippers, while the Cavs are sending Zydrunas Ilguaskas and a first-round draft pick to the Wizards.  The Wizards are also sending Drew Gooden to the Clippers, while they are receiving Al Thornton from the Clippers.This is a very good move for the Cavs and Jamison can be a very good complement for LeBron James and Big Z’s contract was expiring this year anyway.

In 41 games for the Wizards this season, the 33-year-old 6’9″ 235-pound Jamison averaged 20.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and shot 45% from the field and 35% from three.  There had been a lot of talk about the Cavs getting Amare Stoudemire, but I think Jamison will fit in better with LeBron and company.  Stoudemire has a big ego and wouldn’t respond well to getting less shots.  He also did not fit in well with Shaquille O’Neal when they were together in Phoenix.  Jamison will provide the Cavs with another reliable scorer, who plays solid defense and can rebound.  He will also give LeBron another good outside shooter to spread the floor and take some of the pressure of double-teams and collapsing defenses on LeBron.  This could be the move that puts the Cavs over that hump and gets LeBron his first NBA Championship.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have to decide whether to make a big trade next week or go with who they have. The Cavaliers currently have the best record in the NBA at 43-11. They lead the Eastern Conference by 7 games over the Magic and they have a 2 game lead over the Lakers in the NBA. To complicate matters worse it seems that behind closed doors that LeBron wants the team to make a big move for Amare’ Stoudemire, Andre Iguodala, Antwan Jamison or Troy Murphy. The problem with that is the cost as all of these teams want at least Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson back in return. I wouldn’t balk at moving Z in a trade. He is in the final year of his contract which appeals to a lot of other teams. He has played in 53 games (6 starts) for the Cavs this season and he is averaging 20.5 minutes, 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The 21-year old Hickson is what is hanging up the trade talks. Hickson has played in 54 games (48 starts) for the Cavaliers this season and he is averaging 19.3 minutes, 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. It seems like the Cavaliers are leaning towards making a big trade but I would prefer a smaller one where they could just give up a draft pick with a player like Danny Green or Jawad Williams. If it isn’t broke the Cavs shouldn’t try to fix it.

26-year old forward Leon Powe will likely make his debut with the Cavs next week as his rehab work is almost over. The Cavs signed Powe to a 2-year deal over the summer knowing that he would miss at least half of this season. He played in 70 games (7 starts) for the Celtics last season and he averaged 17.5 minutes, 7.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Powe has now played in 189 games (14 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 14.6 minutes, 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. This is great news that Powe is ready because it’s like the Cavs made a trade without giving anything up.

Anthony Parker does not get very many minutes or recognition for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he makes an impact whenever he is on the court.  Parker gets about 28 minutes per game, and is mainly in for defense with a strong and athletic 6’6″ 215-pound frame.  He also is a big threat from the three point line, shooting 45% from behind the arc (4h best in the league).  That means it spreads the defense out and gives LeBron James and the other ball-handlers room to work and penetrate to the hoop.  On the season, Parker is averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.7 steals while playing in all 52 games.  At age 34, Parker may not be the youngest guy on the court, but he plays harder than just about anyone.  A lot of that has to do with his journeyman career, which has taken him from a disappointing start in the NBA, to Israel, to Italy, and now back to the NBA where he has resurrected his NBA career.  Parker is a guy that does all of the intangibles on the basketball court and will be a valuable part of the Cavaliers run at an NBA Championship this season.

SG/SF Jamario Moon knew that he wasn’t going to get a lot of playing time when he signed with the Cavs. But, he does the little things that help you win games as he hustles all the time on both ends of the floor. Moon has played in 36 games (0 starts) for the Cavaliers this season and he is averaging 18.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Moon came to Cleveland because he wanted a chance to win a ring and it looks like he picked the right team.

Daniel Gibson has been thrust into the starting line-up at point guard due to the injuries to Mo Williams (shoulder sprain) and Delonte West (fractured finger on his shooting hand) and he’s doing a good job. In his last five games (all starts), Gibson is averaging 36.0 minutes, 13.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Gibson has also made 14 three pointers in those five starts. Now Gibson is lot a pure point guard so LeBron James has been running the offense a lot when he is on the court. Gibson has now played in 42 games (5 starts) this season for the Cavaliers and he is averaging 19.0 minutes, 6.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Gibson is hitting 47.9% from three point range but only 68.8% from the free-throw line which puzzles me. Still, the Cavs need Gibson to keep up the good work until the regulars come back.