Cleveland Cavaliers have been very active with roster moves lately as they waived two players in the last two days, and they are planning to sign free agents to fill the roster. The Cavaliers waived Larry Sanders most recently, and Sanders, even though disappointed, was thankful to Cleveland for the opportunity they gave him.
The Cavaliers intended to use Sanders in the playoffs, but their plan did not work out very well as the big man is seemingly not ready to make an NBA comeback. He spent most of the time playing in D-League and when he was recalled to play in the NBA, he underperformed.
As a result, the Cavaliers decided to cut him and open up a roster spot they will use for another free agent, most likely a center.
Truly thankful for the opportunity! @cavs
— Larry Sanders (@l8show_thegoat) April 12, 2017
Larry Sanders is not ready for the NBA yet
Before making his NBA comeback by signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Larry Sanders hadn't played in the league for two years. During his peak years, the 28-year old center was one of the best players of his team, Milwaukee Bucks, and he was also one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. Beside his incredible shot blocking, Sanders was a solid rebounder and a decent scorer. In his best season with the Bucks, the center averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.
In Cleveland, Larry Sanders was a completely different player than he was in Milwaukee. It was clear that he wasn't ready for the comeback as he was inefficient and he got into a foul trouble too often. He appeared in five games, averaging only 2.6 minutes, and he scored four points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked one shot while on the court.
Sanders barely contributed to the team, and was waived as a consequence.
Cavaliers will use roster space to sign another center
At the moment, the Cavaliers have two roster spots as they also waived DeAndre Liggins two days ago. They will sign Dahntay Jones to fill one of those spots and the other one will be most likely taken by Edy Tavares.
Tavares is a 7-foot-3 center who has appeared in only 12 NBA games and he last played for the Atlanta Hawks.
The 7-footer spent most of his time in D-League, where he put up some impressive numbers. In 48 games he played for the Toronto 905, Edy Tavares averaged 10.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. Even though the NBA is on a whole new level of difficulty, there is no doubt that Tavares could give the Cleveland Cavaliers at least ten solid minutes off the bench. His role on the team wouldn't be big, so he should be able to meet the expectations.