There has been a lot o negativity swirling around this deal, which sent Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a second round pick next year and $500,000 for the 'Big Cactus', but let's really take a look at it before trying to bring it down. The Cavs traded two players who combined for an average of 6 points per game and 7 rebounds for Shaq, who averaged 17 ppg and 8 rb while playing 75 games, the most games he's played in a single season in 8 years.

 

Can we say upgrade?

 

The instant upgrade in a position of great need is not the only reason that I approve of this deal, it gets my yes because it still safeguards the financial mobility needed in the upcoming 2010 offseason, which means the Cavs can still offer LeBron a max contract while still being able to financially real in another big fish in the likes of a Chris Bosh or Dwayne Wade.

 

Being a Cavs fan, I've watched LeBron lead a group of average players to the Finals. I've seen him make an All-Star out of a solid role-player in Mo Williams and I've seen him elevate the stock of everyone who plays with him. With this reality, how much of an improvement can we expect Shaq's play to experience next season?

 

No, the Shaq trade alone might not be the final piece to the championship puzzle for the cursed city of Cleveland (and with free-agency just set to start with the Cavs having money to spend, I doubt it will be the only move), but it's enough to get the city buzzed and to fuel that spark of hope that this next season will be different, it'll be the one where Cleveland will be hosting the parade they've been waiting over 40 years for.

 

*Update*

 

In an interesting bit of news, Shaquille O'Neal will be turning back the clock to his high-school, college days and wearing number 33 for Cleveland. He has previously wore #32 when in Orlando, Miami, and Phoenix while wearing #34 in Los Angeles.