They're also making a run at James Posey.

The Wizards, sources said, quickly rebuffed Cleveland's offer of Wally Szczerbiak's $13.8 million expiring contract for former All-Star forward Antawn Jamison.

One source with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking said Tuesday that team president Ernie Grunfeld is determined to continue resisting interest in Jamison and Caron Butler because the club has renewed hope that injured starters Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood will play in a small handful of games before the season ends, affording the Wiz an opportunity to evaluate the full team they hoped to field this season.

With Arenas and Haywood both having missed the entire season so far, Washington has cratered to a nightmare record of 12-42.

The Cavs, meanwhile, are expected to shift their focus from Jamison to making a final pitch (or three) for Clippers center Marcus Camby, after being convinced in this week's talks that the Wizards are not interested in parting with the 32-year-old in spite of their luxury-tax concerns.

The Clippers have been saying for weeks that Camby and rookie guard Eric Gordon are their only untouchables in trade talks, but history says Clippers owner Donald Sterling is bound to be tempted by the opportunity to remove Camby's $9.7 million from next season's payroll if presented with Szczerbiak's contract on deadline day ... unless L.A. can move Chris Kaman's longer contract first.

"The Cavs are definitely being super aggressive," one Eastern Conference executive said. "They see this economic frenzy out there with so many teams trying to get off money and lower their payrolls like New Orleans did [by trading Tyson Chandler] and they want to capitalize. If they can spend now to help them keep LeBron later, they're going to do it."

Antwan link

@atenears said:

That trade was a giant step, putting us at the door step today. The Q is a buzz and holds one of the biggest advanatges over other venues because the fans have hope that we are heading into the right direction. Pulling the trigger, and creating a three-headed monster to pair with Mo & LeBron will blow the roof off the place and carry all through seasons to come.

Sitting on your hands and coming up short can seriously kill the momentum.

I think you missed the point. CLE's record was around .500 after the trade (record was better before the trade). The team took a step backwards after that trade (played in the finals the year before and won less after the trade). It was one that was needed, in the long run, sure. Look at this years performance with those additions, that you are now calling for to be subtracted.

Chemistry is huge on a basketball team. Not just guys enjoying each other, going to dinner, etc. It's chemistry in player rotation on the floor, playing a spot on the floor, knowing how the guy on the floor with you defends (and help defends), the minutes you've been playing, etc. Taking two guys out of that and adding in a new one can easily set you back, not forward in the short term (see last year). You go moving say a Wally, V/Hickson, and a pick for say Staudimire, CLE gets a great player for sure. But now who's playing 2G/SF off the bench, or starting now, with Sasha and West hurt? Who's CLE's PF and C in rotation? Moves like this change the whole flow of the team during a game.

CLE has a good solid team right now (minus the current injuries). When all parts healthy, they were lighting teams up. Over the last month, they haven't played as well, but injuries always catch up with you. It doesn't mean CLE doesn't have the parts to win it all, this season.

Masters said:

Not too bad actually. They were one game away from reaching the finals and displayed to LeBron and their fans that they were jumping in with both feet to help improve this team. The Cavs web site set all-time records in activity in the wake of that trade, merchandise sells were way up, and season ticket request were at an all-time high at the conclusion of the season. The team has definately improved from that trade and may be only missing one piece of the puzzle to get to the promise land.

That trade was a giant step, putting us at the door step today. The Q is a buzz and holds one of the biggest advanatges over other venues because the fans have hope that we are heading into the right direction. Pulling the trigger, and creating a three-headed monster to pair with Mo & LeBron will blow the roof off the place and carry all through seasons to come.

Sitting on your hands and coming up short can seriously kill the momentum.

@atenears said:

And how did that trade last year work out in the short term?