SB Nation Cleveland - NBA Free Agency: Alonzo Gee Re-signs With Cavaliers

Alonzo Gee's Contract Details Emerge

2012-09-11T19:36:46Z

On Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced the re-signing of small forward Alonzo Gee, almost a month after it was initially reported that they had done so. It was speculated that minor details in the dollar amount kept the contract from being finalized, and we'll likely never know if that was truly the case. What we do know, according to HoopsHype, is that Gee's three-year deal is worth $10 million.

Gee will make $3.5 million in 2012-13, $3.25 in 2013-14 and another $3.25 in 2014-15 if the Cavs exercised the team option on his contract.

That's a very evenly-distributed contract, so there's still no confirmation on what was the holdup between the initial reports and the announcement from General Manger Chris Grant on the signing. Those initial reports also said three years at $10 million, so that wasn't the sticking point. It might come in the team option for the third year.

Gee is expected to be the Cavaliers' starting small forward on opening night, and he'll be looking to build on some career bests in points scored (10.6), rebounding (5.1) and free throw percentage (.788). It looks like good value for the Cavaliers, who might have a lot of young talent needing to be re-signed in the coming years.

For more on Gee's signing and the Cavaliers, check out Fear The Sword. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's main NBA hub for more news and analysis from around the league as well.

Alonzo Gee Re-Signs With Cavaliers

2012-09-10T18:47:20Z

There was never much doubt that Alonzo Gee would be back with the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, but there was a bit of worry after it was reported about a month ago that Gee had re-signed with the team, and the Cavaliers had not yet announced anything. You can put those worries to rest, as the team officially announced via the official website that Gee has been brought back to the team, though the terms of the contract are not currently known.

General Manager Chris Grant made the announcement, and had this to say about the signing:

"From the start of free agency, we made it clear that re-signing Alonzo was important to us and we're happy we've been able to do that," Grant said. "Alonzo has worked very hard to make the most of the opportunities he has had thus far and it has been great to see his development and growth as a Cavalier. We're excited he will be part of our team as our young group of players continues to grow together."

Sam Amico Tweeted that there wasn't any drama during contract negotiations and that both sides knew a deal would get done, so it seems any worries between the reports and the official announcement were unwarranted. As Conrad Kaczmarek of Fear The Sword notes, it's likely that the framework was done when the reports were made, but that there was probably a snag or two in the contract details that kept it from being official.

Initial reports suggested that Gee was signed for three years, but none of that is official just yet. Gee is projected to be the Cavaliers' starting small forward on opening night, and is looking to build on a season that featured career bests in points scored (10.6), rebounding (5.1), free throw percentage (.788) and minutes (29.0).

For more on Gee's signing and the Cavaliers, check out Fear The Sword. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's main NBA hub for more news and analysis from around the league as well.

Omri Casspi Not Seeking Separation From Cavs, Looking For Bounce Back Season

2012-08-29T13:21:01Z

Although reports were that Omri Casspi was nearing a mutually-agreed upon buyout with the Cavaliers, Casspi said that wasn't the case when talking to an Israeli newspaper.

Casspi, who had arguably his worst of three seasons in the NBA in his first year with Cleveland, denied claims that he was on his way out.

"I love Cleveland," Casspi told Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv this week. "They gave me a lot, I owe them a big one."

The 24-year-old knows that the team added depth at his small forward spot in the form of fourth-overall pick Dion Waiters and veteran Jazz swingman C.J. Miles. But he spoke enthusiastically about improving his game to fight that pair for playing time in Cleveland's rotation this season.

"Basically, I just have to go back to playing my basketball," Casspi told the newspaper. "To be good, effective, to punish -- everything I didn't do last season. I need to go back to my old self.

"I know that the team brought more players on the wings, and everybody in Cleveland is good. But none of us is an All- Star. We don't have Kobe or LeBron there. Coach [Byron] Scott says that whoever is better will play, and I believe him."

It had seemed that with all the extra talent coming in at his spot, the smart thing for Cleveland to do would be to part ways with the 6'9" Israeli to free up a roster spot. But it doesn't appear they'll opt to do that after all.

For more on the Cavaliers, check out Fear The Sword and stick around SB Nation Cleveland.

C.J. Miles Ready To Take On Leadership Role For Cavaliers

2012-08-27T17:16:12Z

The Cleveland Cavaliers will enter their 2012-13 season as one of the youngest teams in the NBA, and if the franchise is looking for a veteran leadership newly acquired free agent forward C.J. Miles recently told HoopsWorld.com his new team should look at him.

"...As far as just being around and knowing what it takes," said Miles, "being on winning teams and being a part of it, playing roles into those teams I think helps coming into training camp with a team that’s trying to build and trying to do things as far as coming to work every day, coming in, and being focused every day no matter what it is we’re trying to do. I feel like I bring that just from being on those teams and the guys that I learned from. I played with Derek Fisher for a year, being around Deron (Williams) and Carlos Boozer and seeing those guys and the way they worked every day. Playing with them, I learned a lot."

Miles, 25, is coming off one of his best seasons averaging 9.1 points per game, but says it's not his ability that will make him the Cavs' go-to leader.

"The biggest thing they’ve said they want to do is put guys out there who make basketball plays and know how to play the game," said Miles. "And I feel like I have the feel and the things to be able to do that, especially as we talked about before with this being a younger group, being able to step out there and help them. We all know how special Kyrie is. I’ve worked out with Dion this last week or so and he’s going to be great. Just stepping in there, being able to bring versatility and leadership from the knowledge that I do have is one of the things I really want to bring to the table."

The full interview with Miles can be read here.

For more on the Cavs', check out the SB Nation blog Fear The Sword.

C.J. Miles Excited For Opportunity With Cavaliers

2012-08-22T16:28:33Z

After a lengthy stint with the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers small forward C.J. Miles is excited about the possibilities with his new team, as Jason Lloyd of the Beacon Journal writes. Miles signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Cavaliers during the offseason, giving Cleveland a veteran wing player to complement the team's young cornerstones.

At a recent charity event, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott spoke about Miles' possibly untapped potential:

I just thought he has so much left in him basketball-wise and it’s really untapped. There are so many things he can do on a basketball court. I thought he’d be a great fit for us.

The small forward was also at the event, and he seems to be similarly excited about his possible role in Cleveland:

My thing coming into the summer wasn’t about money, it was about the best basketball situation. I think a lot of people feel like I am who I’m going to be, which I don’t believe is true and obviously the organization feels the same way

Miles, 25, played with the Jazz for seven seasons after being drafted out of high school in 2005. His numbers peaked in 2010-2011 at 12.8 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game, but they fell off during the lockout-shortened season, finishing at 9.1 points per game and 2.1 rebounds per game.

For more on the Cavaliers, head over Fear The Sword.

Cavaliers Projected To Finish 10th In The Eastern Conference Next Season

2012-08-21T02:30:13Z

The 2012-13 NBA season is still months away, but in their early forecast of next season, ESPN.com projects the Cavaliers to finish 10th in the Eastern Conference.

The forecast projects Cleveland to win 33 games with a .402 winning percentage. That would be a significant improvement over the .318 winning percentage the Cavs posted in 2011-12. The .084 jump in win percentage would be the third largest in the Eastern Conference, according to the ESPN forecast. Only the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Bobcats are projected to make bigger improvements than the Cavs.

While the projection would still have the Cavs on the outside of the playoff picture, they would finish just seven games out of the eighth seed, compared to the 14 games out they finished last season.

If Cleveland is going to fufill or even exceed these projections, they will need a healthy Kyrie Irving. Irving, who injured his right hand during the NBA Summer League, expects to be back on the court by early September.

For more on the Cavaliers, head over Fear The Sword.

Cavaliers Promote Mike Gansey To Director Of D-League Operations

2012-08-20T22:29:52Z

The Cleveland Cavaliers have promoted Mike Gansey to director of development league operations and Cavaliers basketball operations assistant, as the team announced on Monday. The move expands the role of one of the top up-and-coming executives in the league.

Last season, Gansey was a Cavaliers basketball operations assistant, but now the 29-year-old is adding to his responsibilities. As the post describes, Gansey will work closely with other top executives in the basketball operations of the Canton Charge, Cleveland's owned-and-operated NBA D-League team.

Before being hired by the Cavaliers, Gansey played basketball professionally in Europe and in the D-League. He was also a top college basketball player for West Virginia, leading the Mountaineers to the Sweet 16 during his senior year.

For more Cavs free agency news, be sure to stay with this StoryStream. Check out Fear The Sword for more Cavaliers coverage, and make sure to visit SB Nation's NBA hub for more pro hoops analysis.

Luke Walton Will Not Be Bought Out By Cavaliers, According To Report

2012-08-20T15:31:16Z

The Cleveland Cavaliers won't be buying out the contract of forward Luke Walton any time soon, according to the Twitter page of Cavs beat reporters Mary Schmitt Boyer and Jodie Valade.

#Cavs also not expected to buy out Luke Walton, according to two NBA sources
— M.S. Boyer/J. Valade (@PDcavsinsider) August 19, 2012

The 32-year-old Walton was acquired by the Cavs in the trade that sent point guard Ramon Sessions to the Los Angeles Lakers in March. Walton appeared in 21 games for Cleveland in 2012 and averaged just 2.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and1.4 assists in a little more than 14 minutes each game off the bench.

Walton shot 35 percent from the field and 44 percent from the three-point line while wearing a Cavaliers uniform.

For more Cavs free agency news, be sure to stay with this StoryStream. Check out Fear The Sword for more Cavaliers coverage, and make sure to visit SB Nation's NBA hub for more pro hoops analysis.