With most of the high profile free agents already signed, the focus now shifts to the NBA veterans who are still available .
The Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that has been now relegated to recruiting placers who don’t carry fat salaries, is reportedly doing just that.
The Cavs now find themselves in search of reasonably priced players, preferably the ones who would be willing to play at least a year via the NBA veteran’s minimum wage.
After reportedly in talks with Russian Sasha Kaun, the Cavs are now hoping to sign up Richard Jefferson for leadership and some threats from the wings.
Jefferson played for the Dallas Mavericks last season and was reportedly on the verge of re-signing with the Mark Cuban-owned ballclub. However, the chance to join a contending team was reportedly too good to pass up.
The 14-year veteran talked to Cuban about the situation and unlike the celebrated “u-turn” of DeAndre Jordan, Cuban understood and respected Jefferson’s decision.
Jefferson didn’t exactly put up stellar numbers last year, putting up only 5.8 points per outing and seeing limited minutes. He holds a career scoring average of 13.9 points, much of which came during his prime years with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (2001-2008).
The 13 overall draft pick of the 2001 NBA Draft had hoped to retire with the Nets but was eventually be traded in 2008 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Jefferson has since been a journeyman in the NBA, having stints with teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz as well.
Though the Cavs would love to see Jefferson churn out his explosive performances he had with the Nets, he will likely come off the bench at times and be part of the second unit the Cavs sorely need improvement on.
Interest in Jefferson could somehow close the doors on J.R. Smith who had opted out of his contract with the Cavs. Though team owner Dan Gilbert had mentioned that Smith was one of the players they had wanted to bring back for the 2015-16 NBA season, his salary requirements have likely dimmed that possibility.
Smith opted out of his last contract worth $6.4 million.
Of course, Jefferson and Smith are different players but given the financial burden that the Cavs are in right now, the 35 year old veteran will ease the pressure of filling up vital positions as the Cavs try to rebound and make another run at possibly another NBA Finals stint.