Trade rumor

The Cavaliers are reportedly trying to work a deal for the Grizzlies' Mike Miller, a swingman who's averaging 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game. According to the prevailing rumor, we'd get Miller, guard Kyle Lowry and albatross contract Brian Cardinal for Donyell Marshall, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, Cedric Simmons, Dwayne Jones, cash and a first-round pick.

Of the contingent that would be moving to Memphis, the only one who's played anything approaching significant minutes is Newble, and only because he's been starting since Sasha Pavlovic went down. He's a career 5.2-points-a-game scorer, and he's averaging 4.4 this year. Sure, he's in the NBA for his defense, but he wouldn't be a great loss, and I say that with all due respect to my fellow Miamian and a fine human being.

Donyell Marshall was a useful piece for a couple of years, but he's been hurt most of this year, and hasn't done much in limited playing time. We all had high hopes for Shannon Brown, but he hasn't shown us a whole lot. Jones' posterior has hardly left the pine, and Simmons has played in seven games and scored a grand total of four points this year. In short, these are all guys we won't miss.

The only thing we'll miss is that first-round pick. But unless you're going to get a lottery pick next year, a Mike Miller is worth a first-round pick any time. And Lowry's no slouch either, putting in 8.5 a game, with 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He's not much of a shooter (.391 from the floor, .735 from the line), but he's a useful piece.

So yeah, I hope this trade gets done.