Obviously, the Cavaliers had a desperate need for a big man.
They went out on Thursday, June 25, and acquired one of the biggest men on planet Earth. The Cavs acquired Shaquille O'Neal for the expiring contracts of Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, a conditional second-round pick in 2010 (it's protected through 40 picks) and $500,000. The trade was about one thing: The Cavs' continued focus on winning a championship.
They needed a center after Zydrunas Ilgauskas showed in the playoffs he was no longer a championship-quality center.
O'Neal, 37, was an All-NBA third team selection last year, in addition to making the Western Conference All-Star team.
The Cavs knew they'd have to make a splash in the trade market or in free agency instead of the draft. With the 30th pick, they took the Republic of Congo guard/forward Christian Eyenga, a player they will likely let develop overseas.
O'Neal has one year remaining on his contract worth $20 million. He'll come off the books in time for the free-agent bonanza in the summer of 2010.
It would conceivably give the Cavs cap space to make a run at a major free agent next summer in addition to trying to re-sign LeBron James (assuming he opts out).
GM Danny Ferry spoke to James and some other players on the team to make sure they were on board with the acquisition. Of course, who wouldn't want to add a player like O'Neal? They were able to upgrade the center position and not have to sacrifice any of their core players.
He'll immediately toughen their post defense, which was exposed in the Eastern Conference finals by Orlando center Dwight Howard.
