Cavs re-sign Dellavedova for one season
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Matthew Dellavedova has hustled his way back to the Cavaliers.
Dellavedova, who emerged as an unlikely postseason hero when All-Star guard Kyrie Irving was injured, signed a $1.2 million contract for next season on Monday.
He had been a restricted free agent, and although the Cavs signed Mo Williams this summer to be Irving’s primary backup, the team wanted to keep Dellavedova because of the energy he brings off the bench.
Dellavedova accepted the Cavs’ qualifying offer and he can be an unrestricted free agent next summer when the league’s salary cap will expand. He made $816,000 last season.
The Australian has endeared himself to Cleveland fans, and his teammates adore “Delly” for his non-stop hustle and attitude. Dellavedova started 13 games during the regular season, but was forced into a more prominent role in the playoffs because Irving was slowed by injuries.
With Irving out, Dellavedova scored 19 points in a series-clinching win over Chicago in the second round and he scored 20 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against Golden State. He was hospitalized following the game for dehydration.
Dellavedova played in 67 games during the regular season, averaging 4.8 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 20.6 minutes. He shot a career-high .407 percentage from the 3-point line.
In the playoffs, he averaged 7.2 points and 2.7 assists in 24.9 minutes.
General manager David Griffin’s goal was to re-sign the Cavs’ core players this summer and he has gotten deals done with LeBron James, Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert, James Jones and Dellavedova.
The Cavs remain interested in re-signing free agents Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith.
Cavs trade Haywood, Miller to Blazers
The Cavaliers have traded forward Mike Miller and center Brendan Haywood to the Portland Trail Blazers to create salary-cap room and save luxury-tax money.
The Cavs have been shopping Haywood’s expiring $10.5 million contract for weeks and worked out a deal with the Blazers, who will also get two second-round picks from Cleveland. Both teams confirmed the trade on Monday.
The Blazers are expected to cut Haywood, who barely played for Cleveland last season. Miller was signed last summer, bringing playoff experience and 3-point shooting to the Cavs, but he was hardly used in the playoffs.
Haywood, a 13-year NBA veteran, has averaged 6.8 points and six rebounds during stints with Washington, Dallas, Charlotte and Cleveland.
Miller, a 15-year veteran, has averaged 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists with stops in Orlando, Memphis, Minnesota, Washington, Miami and Cleveland.
The moves will allow the Cavs to create trade exceptions for $10.5 million and $2.85 million to sign players.
The Blazers were able to absorb the contracts of both players because the team is under the salary cap.
It is believed that Portland will waive Haywood before his contract becomes guaranteed on Saturday. Miller, whose $2.8 million salary next season is guaranteed, will reportedly seek a buyout and become a free agent.