NBA - Sports Rumors - Cleveland Cavaliers

The group of Chinese investors, who recently bought into the Cleveland Cavaliers, want to sign Yao Ming(notes), according to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

According to the Plain Dealer, Ming has called a possible move to Cleveland an "unknown," but did nothing to dampen ongoing speculation that the Cavaliers' new Chinese part owners want to sign him.

In a recent interview with his hometown Shanghai TV station, Yao said he continued to have "much affection" for the Rockets, the team that picked him as a first-round draft pick in 2003 and with whom he has played all six of his NBA seasons.

The Plain Dealer reported that rumors of a possible switch have swirled since a group of Chinese investors signed an agreement last month with the Cavaliers to become minority owners of the franchise, a move expected to boost the team's popularity and marketing opportunities in China, where Cleveland star LeBron James(notes) is already very popular.

Cleveland has not publicly expressed interest in Yao, who has one guaranteed year left on his contract with Houston, including a player option for the 2010-11 season.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Los Angeles Lakers haven't even put the Larry O'Brien Trophy in the case yet and the Chicago Sun-Times was already talking about next year and the possibility of the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Shaquille O'Neal(notes) and LeBron James(notes), meeting the Lakers for the title.

The Sun-Times noted that would be a dream matchup for the NBA and ABC/ESPN and it's a scenario that could develop if the reported trade talks going on now between the Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns result in a deal.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

The on again, off again trade talk that would send Shaquille O'Neal(notes) from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers is apparently on again, according to a report in the Arizona Republic.

According to the Republic, the parts of the possible deal remain the same. Phoenix would send O'Neal to Cleveland for veteran power forward Ben Wallace(notes), who is considering retirement, and reserve guard Sasha Pavlovic(notes), whose final contract year is not fully guaranteed.

With O'Neal's $20 million salary (but a $21 million salary-cap number due to a trade kicker), the trade could save the Suns $9.9 million or even more if Wallace wants a buyout. The trade would save the Suns $3.1 million in payroll and projected luxury tax. Cutting Pavlovic, who has $1.5 million guaranteed in his final contract year's $4.95 million salary, could save another $6.8 million in payroll and tax, the Globe reported.

Wallace, 34, also is entering the final year of his deal, which would pay him $14 million. He is coming off an injury-marred season that was his most unproductive in 14 seasons. Wallace would consider a buyout, but Cleveland could use him as a trade chip, particularly to get O'Neal to counter Dwight Howard(notes), whose Orlando Magic ousted the 66-16 Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.

If the Suns acquired and bought out Wallace, they would save more than the $9.9 million that a deal and Pavlovic waiver would save, according to the Republic.

Source: Arizona Republic

The Cleveland Cavaliers have set out to dispell rumors that Mike Brown, the newly named NBA Coach of the Year, was in jeopardy of losing his job. Among the rumors was that Pat Riley would be contacted to take over as head coach, according the the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

ProBasketballNews.com, an Ohio-based Web site, reported the Cavs' front office was in "disarray" and considering firing Brown following the Eastern Conference finals loss to the Orlando Magic. The New York Daily News' Web site that said there were reports of "infighting" within the Cavs' front office over Brown's job and suggested the team should pursue Miami Heat President and coaching Hall of Famer Pat Riley to replace him.

The rumors started as the result of criticism over Brown's strategies and lineup adjustments were never able to overcome the matchup advantages the Magic had over the Cavs, according to the Plain Dealer.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Thursday that Riley has not been contacted by any team to unretire from coaching.

According to the Plain Dealer, Brown has the backing of General Manager Danny Ferry, team owner Dan Gilbert and LeBron James(notes), who credits his vast improvement on defense and the team's postseason success directly to Brown.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer