Saturday, July 26, 2003
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Forward Ira Newble signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, providing much-needed depth to the team's frontcourt.
Newble, who spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, became the Cavaliers' second free-agent signing. Point guard Kevin Ollie signed last week and will help work with top draft pick LeBron James. The players split the team's $4.9 million salary cap exception for veterans, team spokesman Tad Carper said.
"Signing Ira Newble takes our plan another step forward," Cavs general manager Jim Paxson said. "He's a big, strong veteran player that will play an important role for us this season."
Newble will likely back up Darius Miles at small forward. He started 80 of his 115 games the past two seasons with Atlanta and averaged 7.7 points and 3.7 rebounds with a .495 field-goal percentage in 2002-03.