The elder statesman will be back for another year. Anthony Parker, the Cleveland Cavaliers starting SG from a year ago, signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract and will remain with the team.
↵Buzz for Parker was heating up, as teams started to make plays for the veteran shooter. With the news that the lockout was ending, it was made clear that retaining the 36-year-old was a major priority for the Cavs.
↵Reports that Parker was looking for a multi-year deal stalled talks. Cleveland is a very young team in rebuilding mode, and regardless of whatever focus the club put on Parker’s leadership as a mentor, a second year was downright outlandish.
↵Eventually, with all the big-money contracts that have been thrown around, and the emphasis the Cavs are placing on building from within, the one-year deal made sense. Parker can transition from a starter’s role (he averaged 29 minutes a game) to a reserve spot, one in which he can mask his glaring deficiencies on the defensive end.
↵There were not a plethora of options at SG for the Cavs to look at anyway, so another year of a stopgap at a cheap price is ultimately a sound deal. His expiring deal could be enticing to prospective playoff teams looking for a bench boost come Trade Deadline, as well.
↵When I first heard two years were on the table, I balked. But even though I’m not Parker’s biggest fan, the one-year contract makes sense. In a league that is lacking a lot of that right now, I can’t fault GM Chris Grant and the Cavaliers’ front office.