Standing pat at the NBA trade deadline is working out pretty well for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are going to land Deron Williams, who has parted ways with the Dallas Mavericks, and now they’re the favorites to sign Andrew Bogut, provided he reaches a buyout agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers.
From ESPN.com’s Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein:
The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the favorite to sign veteran center Andrew Bogut provided he can negotiate his release from the Philadelphia 76ers by Wednesday, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN on Sunday that Bogut’s agent, David Bauman, and the Sixers remain in active buyout negotiations. The Australian big man is hoping to be waived by Wednesday, which is the last day this season players can be released and remain playoff-eligible ?with their next team.
Two Dallas Mavericks sources told ESPN on Sunday that they expect Bogut to choose Cleveland if he indeed finds himself on the open market later this week, while another source close to the talks expressed optimism Sunday that a buyout is forthcoming.
If you’re the Cavaliers, it comes down to this: You essentially turned Chris Andersen into Andrew Bogut by clearing up that roster spot in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets. And that’s a huge upgrade.
Bogut won’t play much for the Cavaliers in the playoffs, assuming Kevin Love is healthy. But he’s depth no matter what, and he should see extra time while Love is on the shelf.
Plus, there’s something poetically awesome about the prospect of Bogut facing the Golden State Warriors, his old team, in the NBA Finals.
