Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

Andrew Bynum has struggled with injuries throughout his NBA career and didn’t play a single game for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, but talented centers will always be at a premium in today’s game. So, although no one is sure how good he even is at basketball right now, or how his health will hold up in the coming season, Bynum has a new NBA home.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed Bynum to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

According to multiple outlets, the deal is for two years, $24 million. And according to the Associated Press, “the Cavaliers guaranteed Bynum only $6 million in the first year of the deal, but he could earn an additional $6 million through performance incentives. Cleveland holds a $12 million team option for the second season.”

“We are very happy to welcome Andrew to Cleveland and the Cavaliers organization,” said General Manager Chris Grant.  “His talent, size and experience clearly have the potential to very positively impact our team. He has the ability to strengthen the foundation we are creating and continue to be very excited about. At the same time, we are fully aware of where he is in his journey to get back on the court and will provide every resource possible to support and enhance this process.”

Bynum was originally selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft out of St. Joseph H.S. in Metuchen, NJ.  In seven seasons, the 7-0, 285-pount center has appeared in 392 games with 300 starts, averaging 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.6 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game while shooting .566 from the floor. The 25-year old missed the 2012-13 season with knee injuries. The previous season, 2011-12, Bynum, a two-time NBA Champion, averaged career-highs of 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds for the Lakers and Head Coach Mike Brown, while being voted as a NBA All-Star starter for the Western Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived forward Kevin Jones and guard Chris Quinn, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Jones played in 32 games this past season for the Cavs, averaging 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game.

Quinn played in seven games for the Cavs, averaging 1.4 points and 1.3 assists in 11.3 minutes per game.

The Cavs have added Jared Berggren from the University of Wisconsin to their summer league roster.

The 6-11, 240-pound center appeared in two games for the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Summer League earlier this month.

In four years at Wisconsin, he averaged 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 119 games.

He will wear number 37.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Jarrett Jack and forward Earl Clark to contracts, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“Earl and Jarrett are both tough, competitive, team-first players that have the ability to impact the game in multiple ways on both ends of the court.  We think they are great fits for us that can help us grow and improve as a team and we’re looking forward to them joining our core,” said General Manager Chris Grant.”

Jack, 29, averaged 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 29.8 minutes in 79 games (four starts) for the Golden State Warriors last season. He scored a season-high 30 points  and added 10 assists in 42 minutes off the bench against San Antonio on Feb. 22nd . Last season, he scored 25 or more points five times and dished out 10 or more assists on nine occasions. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Jack was drafted out of Georgia Tech by the Denver Nuggets with the 22nd overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. The eight-year veteran has appeared in 611 total games (253 starts)  with career averages of 11.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 27.9 minutes. Since he entered the league, he has played in the 7th most regular season games of any player in that time period and only once in his eight seasons has he played in fewer than 79 regular season games.

“Jarrett brings the kind of drive, determination and energy that will help us greatly with everything we do and I am excited to have him be a part of what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s a vet that knows what it takes to win and the kind of player that has the talent and approach to the game that helps make everyone that plays with him better,” said Cavs head coach Mike Brown.

Clark, 25, averaged 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 23.1 minutes in 59 games (36 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He scored a career-high 22 points on 9-12 (.750) shooting  and added 13 rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench at San Antonio on Jan. 9th . Last season, he also pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points against Boston on Feb. 20. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Clark was drafted out of Louisville by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. He has spent time with Phoenix, Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers during his four-years in the NBA and has appeared in 197 total games (37 starts)  with career averages of 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes.

“Earl is a young, talented and versatile player who has the ability to contribute to our growth right away. He’s a long and capable defender and also brings offensive skills that can help us play the style of ball we want to play,” said Brown.

Jarrett Jack still sounded a little surprised Saturday that he was no longer a member of the Golden State Warriors. But the veteran guard knows the NBA life leads to sudden changes, and so, he’s ready to move on to his next gig, in Cleveland, as a member of the Cavaliers.

The Cavs agreed to terms with the eight-year veteran, one of the top free agents on the market, on a four-year, $26 million deal that will be consummated after the NBA’s moratorium on signing contracts ends July 10.

Jack became available after the Warriors reached agreement Friday with free agent Andre Iguodala on a four-year, $48 million deal, forcing them to have to renounce their rights to Jack and forward Carl Landry (who agreed to a deal in Sacramento Saturday) when the moratorium ends.

The Contra Costa Times first reported the agreement between Cleveland and Jack.

Reported by David Aldridge of TNT/NBA.com

Marreese Speights has decided that diving into free agency is a better option for him than playing out his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Speights today declined his player option on the final year of his contract with the Cavs, the team announced today. Speights had until June 29th to exercise the option. The five-year NBA veteran is now an unrestricted free agent.

Speights was acquired by the Cavaliers via trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on January 22nd, 2013. The 6-10, 255-pound forward/center appeared in 39 games (one start) for the Cavs where he averaged 10.2 points on .457 shooting, and 5.1 rebounds in 18.4 minutes. Speights has played in 344 games (61 starts) over his NBA career with averages of 7.8 points, on .472 shooting, and 4.4 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.