Welcome Antawn!!!

So I log on to ESPN.com at about 9 tonight and see on the front page, Antawn Jamsion pictured in front of a Cavaliers logo. The details:

 

"The deal sends Zydrunas Ilgauskas' $11.5 million expiring contract to Washington from Cleveland. Washington also gets a 2010 first-round draft pick and the rights to Emir Preldzic, who was selected in the second round of last year's draft, from Cleveland.

 

The Wizards receive Al Thornton from the Clippers, with L.A. getting forward Drew Gooden, whom Washington acquired in last week's trade with Dallas.

Besides Jamison, Cleveland will also acquire Clippers guard Sebastian Telfair."

 

I actually like this deal more than the one we were trying to do with Phoenix. Amar'e may be an All-Star and the bigger name, but Jamison certainly seems like he'll be a better fit. Plus, we don't even have to give up JJ Hickson in this deal. Hickson may not turn into an All-Star himself, but he's shown strong development over his years as a Cavalier and he can be a solid role player and possibly even starter down the road. We do give up Big Z, and I would be sad to see him go after all this time in Cleveland, but we should be getting him back in 30 days, so it's all good.

And that means we pretty much stole one of the better forwards in the league for nothing. We give up a European player who is doubful to turn into someone worthwhile (at least not of Jamison's caliber) and a late first round pick (which ought to be the final pick of the first round).

 

The forgotten player in this deal is Sebastian Telfair, who can be a decent bench player, especially right now while Mo Williams is hurt. I don't know a whole lot about him as a player, but I have a soft spot because I remember watching a movie about him that was featured on ESPN a few years ago. Apparently he is also friends with LeBron, which would help as to not put a dent in chemistry. I'm not sure how good of friends they are, but I do remember them being on a cover of SLAM back while they were high school stars, if that counts for anything.

 

Antawn Jamison is a terrific addition to a line-up which I was already very confident in. Someone this good can only help a team who already was holding the best record in the NBA. The Lakers better watch out, because Cleveland is an even bigger threat to take away their hopes of repeating as champions.