KoriEllis
09-14-2004, 12:41 AM
Cavaliers continue search for big man
BY BRIAN WINDHORST
www.mercurynews.com/mld/m...369.htm?1c (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/9656369.htm?1c)
(KRT) - The Cavaliers are attempting to move on in their search for a reserve center.
They thought they might have solved their problems last week when they signed Jake Tsakalidis to an offer sheet, but the Memphis Grizzlies quickly matched to retain the 7-foot-2 center and left the Cavaliers searching again.
The market is pretty bare for big men this close to training camp, but general manager Jim Paxson has some options left. Among them are believed to be Keon Clark, Christian Laettner and Scott Williams.
Clark, who missed almost all of last season with an ankle injury, averaged 11.3 points and was very productive two years ago for the Sacramento Kings. The Cavaliers aren't sure about his health or desire to return to the NBA. Paxson recently dispatched new director of player personnel Mark Warkentien to Clark's house in Illinois to speak with him.
Laettner is more of a long shot to end up in Cleveland. According to NBA sources, he's believed to be close to signing a deal with the Miami Heat, where he might start next to Shaquille O'Neal.
But if a deal there falls through, the Cavaliers might renew their interest. He's been traded twice this summer and was released last week by the Golden State Warriors.
Williams has spent 14 seasons in the NBA with six teams. He played in 43 games with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks last season. For his career, he's averaged 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds.
He's likely sign for the veteran minimum of $1.1 million and is the type of player Cavaliers coach Paul Silas likes.
The Cavaliers are likely to try to get a signing done this week with training camp just three
weeks away.
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JACKSON RECOVERING
Cavaliers first-round draft pick Luke Jackson is in Cleveland and working out after recovering from injuries over the summer. He had to leave summer league early due to a calf strain, and he's been dealing with back problems. The team hopes he'll be 100 percent by the start of the season.
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DRIBBLES
Forward Ira Newble was hampered last summer by tendinitis in both knees and is now recovering from tendinitis in his ankle. ... - LeBron James filmed a commercial for TNT Monday in New Jersey and will be doing shoots for Powerade and Bubblicious in the weeks before training camp. ... - The lawsuit brought by former Brown Percy Ellsworth against Carlos Boozer for $15,000 in back rent was settled out of court last month, two weeks after Boozer signed his $68 million deal with the Utah Jazz.
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BY BRIAN WINDHORST
www.mercurynews.com/mld/m...369.htm?1c (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/9656369.htm?1c)
(KRT) - The Cavaliers are attempting to move on in their search for a reserve center.
They thought they might have solved their problems last week when they signed Jake Tsakalidis to an offer sheet, but the Memphis Grizzlies quickly matched to retain the 7-foot-2 center and left the Cavaliers searching again.
The market is pretty bare for big men this close to training camp, but general manager Jim Paxson has some options left. Among them are believed to be Keon Clark, Christian Laettner and Scott Williams.
Clark, who missed almost all of last season with an ankle injury, averaged 11.3 points and was very productive two years ago for the Sacramento Kings. The Cavaliers aren't sure about his health or desire to return to the NBA. Paxson recently dispatched new director of player personnel Mark Warkentien to Clark's house in Illinois to speak with him.
Laettner is more of a long shot to end up in Cleveland. According to NBA sources, he's believed to be close to signing a deal with the Miami Heat, where he might start next to Shaquille O'Neal.
But if a deal there falls through, the Cavaliers might renew their interest. He's been traded twice this summer and was released last week by the Golden State Warriors.
Williams has spent 14 seasons in the NBA with six teams. He played in 43 games with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks last season. For his career, he's averaged 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds.
He's likely sign for the veteran minimum of $1.1 million and is the type of player Cavaliers coach Paul Silas likes.
The Cavaliers are likely to try to get a signing done this week with training camp just three
weeks away.
---
JACKSON RECOVERING
Cavaliers first-round draft pick Luke Jackson is in Cleveland and working out after recovering from injuries over the summer. He had to leave summer league early due to a calf strain, and he's been dealing with back problems. The team hopes he'll be 100 percent by the start of the season.
__
DRIBBLES
Forward Ira Newble was hampered last summer by tendinitis in both knees and is now recovering from tendinitis in his ankle. ... - LeBron James filmed a commercial for TNT Monday in New Jersey and will be doing shoots for Powerade and Bubblicious in the weeks before training camp. ... - The lawsuit brought by former Brown Percy Ellsworth against Carlos Boozer for $15,000 in back rent was settled out of court last month, two weeks after Boozer signed his $68 million deal with the Utah Jazz.
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