This news is a few days old but I never got around to it, so well, here we are. ESPN offers this:
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that the Cavs signed guard Delonte West to a three-year deal worth $12.6 million.
The Cavaliers hold a team option on the third year.
Cleveland wanted to limit West, a restricted free agent, to two guaranteed seasons to preserve as much financial flexibility as possible for the summer of 2010, when LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent. But West, sources said, is guaranteed $500,000 for the 2010-11 season from the Cavs in the event they decline to pick up his option.
West was acquired last season from Seattle as part of the three-team, 11-player megatrade before the Feb. 21 deadline. Filling a major void at point guard, the 6-foot-3 West averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26 starts for the Cavaliers.
He was one of Cleveland’s best players during the postseason, averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 13 games for the Cavs, who pushed the NBA champion Boston Celtics to seven games before losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Delonte’s versatlity as a combo guard was enticing
The 25-year-old West can play either position in the backcourt. He will likely back up point guard Mo Williams, who was acquired in a trade this summer from Milwaukee. West could also get time at shooting guard along with Daniel Gibson, another restricted free agent signed by the Cavaliers during the offseason.
Cavs GM Danny Ferry adding
“He’s a tremendous defender and he’s about what we want to be about on that end of the floor,” Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said.
Ferry said West’s decision to work out at the Cavaliers’ training facility this summer assured both sides that he wanted to stay in Cleveland.
“It was a very healthy thing for the process. It kept the relationship on a good, positive level,” Ferry said. “He wanted to be part of what we’re working toward. We’ve said all along that we want Delonte on this team. He’s a good player and can make us a better team.”
Ferry is excited about Cleveland’s potential this season. Williams will give the Cavaliers a second, bona fide perimeter scoring threat to complement superstar LeBron James.
“We have guys who really love to play and love to compete,” Ferry said. “We have really good depth everywhere and we have a solid balance of youth and experience.”
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So how much are the Cavs paying their point guards now?
Let’s see, that’s $8.5mil for Mo Williams, another $4mil for Delonte, another $4mil for Gibson. There’s a cool $16mil spent. Oh and another $7.3mil for Eric Snow (that’s $23mil total), but he’s retiring, and seeking medical retirement.
Come to think of it, how much are the Cavs paying their bench?
Gibson, Delonte, Varejao, Pavlovic – that’s $18mil right there. Another 4-6 players which likely will total at least another $4mil. That’s a lot of money.
Anyway
My first reaction to the Delonte signing was surprise. I didn’t see the need to keep him with Gibson and Williams both firmly in the long term plans. I can’t shake the feeling that half the reason Cleveland signed him was to keep in order to create additional flexibility for a trade, that’s not to say it has to be Delonte that moves but he’s the most likely of the backcourt trio. There simply isn’t a need for the Cavs to pay this much money for three guards who are all best off at the point.
I’m not overly optimistic about the potential of these small backcourts between Delonte/Gibson/Williams – due to a lack of defense, and not good enough offense to make that up – plus I doubt how comfortable Mike Brown is with the idea because he likes size in his backcourt.
Also, I love what the Cavs have done with the third year, great work in keeping their financial flexibility for the summer of 2010. Very important
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In related Cavs news, Cleveland have invited Ronald Dupree to camp.
Ronald Dupree, who will go in history as the last player inked by the Seattle SuperSonics, will be signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
