Did Larry Sanders Just Drop Off Cavs Radar?
The Cleveland Cavaliers have options next season to improve their roster. We have noted some possible trade options in the off-season here (New Window). One of those options was Larry Sanders. Sanders, the long, athletic, shot blocking center for the Milwaukee Bucks could have still fit a need on the Cavs roster.
He may have just dropped off the Cavs radar today with his most recent suspension:
Bucks center Larry Sanders has been suspended without pay for a minimum 10 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 16, 2015
Sanders timeline is an interesting one. He was selected 15th overall by the Bucks after three seasons at VCU. He finished third in the Most Improved Player Award at the end of the 2012-13 season. The start of the following season he signed a 4 year, $44 million contract extension with the team.
That is when things started to fall apart. He was out for 25 games the next season after a brawl in a night club caused a thumb injury. He was ruled out a few months later due to an orbital bone injury. Then this season he was suspended 5 games due to violating the substance abuse policy, reportedly for marijuana.
Today marks his second suspension this season. It follows a short time that he was away from the team and a report came that he didn’t want to play basketball anymore. Not exactly the type of player the Bucks, or any other team, will want to build around, much less pay $11 million a season.
Sanders would be an interesting fit for the Cavs, if these issues didn’t drop him off their board. His quick twitch muscles allow him to cover ground quickly, block shots, have a great second jump, finish alley oops and rebound.
The Cavs miss much of that on their team currently. Newly acquired Timofey Mozgov is a solid rim protector but is not quick in anyway. He takes a little time to get up to full speed, Sanders does not. Tristan Thompson has some of that as well.
With the Cavs he could start next to Kevin Love, supporting his lack of defense and quickness. That would allow Mozgov and Thompson to play together some in the backup units.
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A starting 5 of Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert, LeBron James, Love and Sanders would give balance to the lineup and a great bench. Shumpert, James and Sanders could be considered above average defenders paired with Irving and Love who haven’t been overwhelmingly great at that.
Today could have been the end to that possibility. The Bucks may have to actually pay a team, in draft picks or young talent, to take Sanders off their hands. The Cavs could trade Brendan Haywood‘s contract to take on Sanders’ while getting a young player or a draft pick. Those kind of assets could be great for the Cavs. Sanders could be the opposite but possibly worth the risk.
If the Cavs are unable to make any other moves with the Haywood contract they may consider acquiring Sanders even with all his baggage.
Do you think the Cavs should take Larry Sanders off their radar after today’s news?
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