LeBron James wants to help Larry Sanders 'get things back right', urges Cavs to sign big man

LeBron James is pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-21) to sign free agent centre Larry Sanders in the wake of Andrew Bogut's season-ending injury. The four-time MVP has maintained for several weeks that Cavs need to find a rim protector to play behind starting centre Tristan Thompson.

According to James, Sanders, who went through anxiety and depression issues before quitting the NBA in 2015, deserves another opportunity to showcase his skills. “It looks like he (Sanders) wants another opportunity, and hopefully, if we’re the team, hopefully we give him an opportunity. Why not? Everyone deserves a second chance, and it looks like he wants to get back to playing the game he loves, and hopefully this is his destination. You don’t know how much you can get out of a guy that’s been out so long, but I’d love to see it. Why not?" James said ahead of Cleveland' Saturday morning shoot around in Orlando, via ESPN.

After acquiring the likes of Kyle Korver, Derrick Williams and Deron Williams, Bogut was supposed to be the final piece in the puzzle for the Cavs in their pursuit of repeating as NBA champions. Though Sanders hasn't played in the NBA since the 2014-15 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, he's impressed several teams in workout sessions since the All-Star break, and could prove to be the ideal backup centre for a playoff-bound team.

“I could talk about when he played (in the NBA),” James said when asked to judge Sanders' game. “An athletic big guy, incredible shot-blocking skills, anticipation around the rim, can finish around the rim and block shots, and being able to guard perimeter guys as well. With his hiatus, I don’t know what he was going through, so I can’t comment about somebody’s personal life because I wasn’t a part of it.”

Cavs still need backup rim protector: Is Larry Sanders the answer?

The Cavs have a hole to fill at the 5 spot due to a series of injuries. After veteran big Chris Andersen suffered season-ending knee injury last December, Bogut could get on the court for just 58 seconds before fracturing his left tibia in a game against the Miami Heat last week. In the meantime, stretch-5 Channing Frye has been playing second unit minutes at the 5 spot, a decision that has led to Cleveland giving away too many points.

“I haven’t been around Larry, so I don’t know what consists of him playing every night or him getting back to the flow of things. From the outside looking in, it looks like he wants to be back on an NBA floor again. He has the talent -- we all know that. He has the ability. I think this will be a perfect locker room for him to try to help him. You know me: I’m always in favour of helping somebody get their things back right. I was part of it with Bird in Miami, helped Greg as much. I was part of it with Eddy Curry -- he won a ring," James added, hinting at possibly mentoring the emotional centre.

Larry Sanders, drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010, averaged 6.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks from 19.8 minutes per game during his five previous seasons in the NBA. Sanders had worked out for nearly half a dozen teams prior to the All-Star break with the intention of returning to the NBA