Cleveland Cavaliers sign Edy Tavares, Dahntay Jones but enter playoffs in a funk
The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Larry Sanders and signed centre Edy Tavares, per reports. Tavares, a 7-foot-3 centre from Cape Verdean, was playing for Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors' D-League affiliate team.
Sanders, after a two-plus-year absence from the league, signed a two-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Cavaliers after the All-Star break. Prior to joining the Cavs, Sanders was playing for Cleveland's D-League team.
According to ESPN, the Cavs also plan on signing free-agent forward Dahntay Jones. "The Cavs are also expected to sign free-agent wing Dahntay Jones to a contract on Wednesday. It is the second consecutive year the Cavs have signed Jones on the final day of the season," Brian Windhorst reported on Tuesday.
The 51-30 Cavaliers have ended the season on a low note, going 11-14 in their past 25 games, besides a current three-game losing streak. They are currently in the bottom half of the league in defensive efficiency. Some analysts feel the reigning NBA champions are not a lock to make the finals.
LeBron James not bothered about losing No. 1 seed
“For me, it’s never been about trying to get the No. 1 seed. It’s just trying to play as great of basketball as you can every single night, and whatever happens, happens. ... The best thing for our team is, we want to go down the stretch and be healthy. When we’re healthy and put a game plan together, we can compete against anybody in this league," James said Sunday after the Celtics took control of the No. 1 seed.
With Tristan Thompson sitting out with a minor injury, stretch big Channing Frye has been playing the role of starting centre. “I mean, I wish we had another 10 games (before the playoffs). We got some s--- to work out. You know what I’m saying? That’s just my take on it. I haven’t been to the playoffs too many times, maybe three, so I think for me, I’m like, let’s just play and make sure we’re a well-oiled machine before we go in there.”
The 2017 NBA playoffs begin on Saturday. The Cavs are expected to face Paul George and the Indiana Pacers in the first round. The Celtics could face either the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls depending on Wednesday's regular season finale.