Cavs Board

In a move that was expected for the last week, the Cavs added Lorenzen Wright.  From Mary Schmitt Boyer in the Cleveland Plains Dealer:

The Cavaliers have signed veteran center Lorenzen Wright to a contract, Cavs general manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed, but NBA sources indicated it was a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million.

Wright, 32, played 13 games last season with the Atlanta Hawks and five games with the Sacramento Kings. The 6-foot-11, 255 pound center was drafted by the L.A. Clippers with the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and has played in 761 career games (445 starts) with averages of 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

“Lorenzen brings us valuable size and experience and adds depth to our frontcourt,” Ferry said. “We think he’s a good fit for us and look forward to him joining our team.”

The 12-year veteran has appeared in 15 postseason games (11 starts) and averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

The Cavs are expected to announce a deal with second-round draft choice Darnell Jackson from Kansas on Saturday. Point guard Delonte West, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned.

It’s tough to get too fired up about this move.  Wright is on his last legs, and isn’t going to see much court time.  It’s a similar addition to Scot Pollard two years ago, in that he’s a veteran who likely won’t see much court time, but adds an insurance policy in case of injuries or extreme foul trouble.  Still, considering the alternatives are Lance Allred or Dwayne Jones, Wright certainly could be a modest upgrade from those options.

Wright is not a “replacement” for Joe Smith as some outlets have reported it.  He’s nowhere near as skilled as Smith at this point in his career.  But he can rebound.  And he has enough bulk to be able to spell either front court position in limited minutes.  If a Darnell Jackson signing follows that would bring the Cavaliers to 13 players signed.  Delonte West would make 14, but most expect Eric Snow’s retirement paperwork to be accepted by the league prior to training camp bringing the open roster spots on the Cavaliers down to just two. 

That would leave them considerable flexibility, albeit maybe only temporarily, in taking on players in trades.