According to a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Delladedova accepted the $1.2 million offer which will keep Delladedova in the Cavs fold for the 2015-16 NBA season. With the deal, Delladedova will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Delladedova, playing most of season as chief reliever last season, stepped up in the NBA Finals after starting guard Kyrie Irving went down with a busted knee cap after game one.
His chief duty was to put reigning MVP Stephen Curry in check but also made a good account for himself on the offensive side to provide Lebron James some support.
For the season, Delladedova averaged 4.8 points and 3.0 assists coming off the bench. He is expected to go back to his original role of backup though it won’t come as a surprise if Delladedova would end up playing some shooting guard as well with Mo Williams also onboard.
The signing provides the Cavs a big sigh of relief as the team tries to re-signs the players they had last season. The Cavs have yet to come to a settlement with Tristan Thompson while the team is also reportedly weighting its options on how to try and work out a deal with J.R. Smith.
The agreement also negates a previous report from Cleveland.com that Delladedova may have been asking a bit too much.
In that report, Chris Haynes of ClevelandPlain Dealer singled out Delly’s asking price as an issue as to why the Australian guard had not immediately agreed to sign up with the Cavs. Per the report, Delladedova was allegedly looking to get $4 million annually.
Haywood, Miller traded to Portland
On a related development, the Cavs were finally able to rid themselves of Brendan Haywood and his fat contract. Haywood’s $10.5 million contract was a big problem for the Cavs who are trying to avoid luxury tax penalties but a trade which also involved Mike Miller and a pair of second round picks with the Portland Trailblazers have now rid the Cavs of that problem.
The Blazers are, however, expected to cut Haywood and buy out Miller’s contract once the deal has been made official.
For the Cavs, the deal would allow them added flexibility, handing them trade exceptions at $10.5 million and another one at $2.94 million.
Haywood has made it known that he intends to continue playing though it remains to be known which team he could possibly suit up for.
Miller on the other hand is undecided though there are several teams reportedly interested in the streak shooting guard. Among the teams reportedly showing interest in Miller are the Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies. Aside from that, Miller is also said to be interested in rejoining the Heat.