Terry Pluto of the Beacon Journal still sees the Cavaliers and the Clippers as perfect trade partners. After the draft-night deal to send Cav?s guard Andre Miller to LA for forward Darius Miles and rookie Caron Butler never materialized, these teams could still make a deal.

Cavs? general manager Jim Paxon insists that he?s not trying to trade Miller. But the Summer is early. There is no rush. But something will have to be done eventually. Miller wants a maximum contract and has said that if he doesn?t get it, he wouldn?t mind being traded. Since the Cavs are unlikely to give him the max, trade options must be studied.

The Clippers are overloaded at power forward with Elton Brand and rookies Chris Wilcox and Melvin Ely. They are in need of a point guard since last year?s starter, Jeff McInnis is a free agent that they don?t seem too keen on resigning.

The Cavs need a power forward because their only option is the unreliable Tyrone Hill. And even though the Cavs claim that Miller and rookie Dajuan Wagner can play together, neither is much bigger than 6-2.

These teams seem destined to make a trade. Since the Cavaliers may want Ely over Wilcox, Pluto suggests a Miller for Miles and Ely trade. The Clippers would rather send Odom over Miles,  but his drug problems and last year?s injury drops his trade value.

Pluto writes, ?Paxson is right, he doesn't have to make a deal for Miller. But if he can convince the Clippers to give up Miles (or Corey Maggette) for Miller, he should do it.?