Slam Online is reporting that Rasheed Wallace and the Cleveland Cavaliers are beginning negotiations for a two-year deal worth $10 million per year. There were reports that 'Sheed would retire unless he received $8 million next season, so obviously $10 million would be more than enough to convince him to stick around.
This report comes about a week after Dwight Howard dominated the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, knocking them out of the playoffs. This past Monday, MLIVE's A. Sherrod Blakely wrote a piece that said Howard's play may increase Wallace's stock. The reason for that is because Rasheed has done a remarkable job of neutralizing Dwight ever since Howard's arrival in Orlando. Since then, Rasheed and the Pistons are 14-4 against the Magic in the regular season and 8-1 in the playoffs.
With the Cavs probably nervous as can be that their superstar Lebron James might leave after next season, they are probably feeling the pressure to put together a championship team immediately. By signing Rasheed, the Cavs would be hoping (praying) he would be that last piece of the puzzle to get them over the hump a la the Pistons in 2004. It could work, but giving 'Sheed $10 million per year definitely smacks of desperation.