The Cleveland Cavaliers were already over the salary cap limit and were paying dearly in tax penalties but are continuing to try to improve their team to help LeBron James win another NBA Championship. The Cavaliers added another star on Friday night when they agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million deal to bring in forward Jeff Green.
Jeff Green, who played in the 2016-17 NBA season with the Orlando Magic was a minimum-level deal and he gives the Cleveland Cavaliers another weapon who can play multiple positions. Despite earlier reports indicating that LeBron James was staying out of recruiting discussions, ESPN reports that LeBron actually had "active discussions" with Green before the forward signed on with Cleveland.
Jeff Green's career to date
As mentioned, Jeff Green adds a versatile player to the Cleveland Cavaliers lineup - someone who can play multiple positions. Green has played for a number of teams over his NBA career, including the Orland Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers
In the 2016-17 NBA season, Jeff Green averaged 9.2 points and 3.1 rebounds from off the bench. He started in only 11 of 69 games and was a key bench player for the Magic. He hasn't been a regular starter since his days with the Memphis Grizzlies. Over his career, Green has averaged 13.5 points and 4.7 rebounds a game.
Jeff Green's role in Cleveland
Jeff Green will continue to play a reserve role with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The team has to hope Green is worth the money. While his contract is only for $2.3 million, he actually will cost about $8 million to the Cavs due to the tax penalties for being over the limit. The Cavaliers payroll for next season is currently more than $135 million and over $46 million of that is the penalty tax.
Interestingly, the Cleveland Cavaliers don't appear finished yet.
There is also a chance that Jamal Crawford will join the team as well. He was traded to the Atlanta Hawks and made it clear he would not play there. The Hawks bought out his contract and he is looking at joining Cleveland. Kyle Korver (three years, $22 million) and Jose Calderon (one-year, $2.3 million) also signed with Cleveland this offseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers look to head into the 2017-18 NBA season with a starting lineup that includes LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith. The new additions are depth to try to help the Cavaliers catch back up to the Golden State Warriors again.
