Ben Wallace: Retire Before Things Get Embarrassing

Ben Wallace is still the league’s best defender. What? That’s right, I said it. Because right now the only person who can stop LeBron James is Big Ben. He’s a $14 million noose around the King’s neck right now, because the Cavs need to surround LBJ with more talent. The good news? He is pondering retirement.

But isn’t Wallace’s contract expiring? Yes, his contract is expiring. But in this economy $14 mil is a lot to play a washed-up player who’s an offensive liability, especially one who gimps all over the court.

Big Ben, the clock tower has struck midnight when it comes to your career —  please retire. You’ve even lost your mojo frojo. You’re like Samson without the hair — weak.

You say you don’t want to hold this team hostage. That you are “bigger than that.” I agree, but if you don’t retire you will be holding the Cavs franchise hostage. You might even push LeBron James out the door, because it’s obvious at this point that this roster isn’t going to win a championship.

By retiring due to medical reasons, you can help the Cavs claim insurance on you, which will make it easier to move your expiring contract. By agreeing to let another team buy you out, you also help the team that gave you your last chance and paid you over $25 million. Who knows? To get you off the cap, they might give you a helluva deal.

Big Ben, you’ve been too good of a player to continue playing at the borderline pathetic level you currently are. Nobody wants to see a great player like you flush his legacy down the toilet, a la Muhammad Ali losing via scorecards to Trevor Berbick, a la Willie Mays stumbling around in the outfield. Don’t do that, Big Ben. You have a legitimate chance to make the Hall as a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and the motor of a Pistons team that dominated the Eastern Conference for over half a decade. Don’t change the way you will be remembered by mailing it in for one last paycheck that you’ll be able to see a lot of even if you do retire.

Ensured that they won’t have to pay you the full $14 million, or at least have it count against the cap, teams will be interested in you.

I could see the Cavs sending you, Delonte West and a first-rounder to the Lakers for Lamar Odom in a sign-and-trade deal. They have Trevor Ariza, a 23-year-old rising star who’s sharing minutes with Odom, and need guard help. L.O. can post up, handle the ball, stretch the defense and defend a multitude of positions. His versatility would really help LeBron.

I could also see the Pistons taking Wallace back in exchange for another Wallace, Rasheed, in a sign-and-trade. The Pistons are trying to clear cap space for 2010, and Sheed defends Dwight Howard as well as anybody in the league.The Cavs would have to throw in something else, probably a first-rounder, but Sheed might be the missing piece.

Amare Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, Richard Jefferson and Shaq are still possibilities for the Cavs as well. Free agents Ron Artest and Shawn Marion could even be sign-and-trade possibilities. Rumor has it that Atlanta will shop Josh Smith. Remember, the Hawks have been notoriously cheap over the years.

Any of these guys would instantly improve the Cavs, especially the bigs.

Big Ben, please, please, PLEASE, retire citing medical issues. You can go out with dignity, help the Cavs out and still get paid. Otherwise, you’re going to hurt both your legacy and the Cavs’ championship aspirations.