May 24, 2013

NBA News: Semih Erden is Heading Back to Turkey

July 3, 2012 by 18 Comments

Though receiving a qualifying offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Semih Erden is heading back overseas to play for Istanbul’s Anadolu Efes of the Euroleague.

The Cavaliers’ right to match offers only extends to teams within the National Basketball League. Erden’s move comes on the heels of Cleveland trading for North Carolina center Tyler Zeller during last week’s NBA Draft.

Erden, 25, was drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Celtics. The seven-footer played part of the 2010-11 season in Boston before being traded to Cleveland, where he spent last season. In 28 games in 2011-12, Erden averaged 3.5 PPG and 2.6 RPG in just under 12 MPG.

In the event Erden returns to the NBA, he would be a restricted free agent with the Cavaliers owning matching rights. The Cavaliers recently waived shooting guard Manny Harris and offered a partially-guaranteed contract to undrafted rookie Kevin Jones out of West Virginia.

[Related: Who Should the Cavs Target in Free Agency?]

(Source: Sportando)

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  • @wes_ryan_

    noooooooooooooooooooooo

  • Vindictive_Pat

    I have no problem with this. 20 years ago, Erden would probably be a decent rotation player on a good team, or a starter on a bad team. I just didn’t think he was quick enough to keep up with the NBA centers of today.

  • Andrew

    I’ll be burning my Erden jersey on Euclid Ave on my lunch break!

  • thenoclist

    Good, he stinks.

  • Harv 21

    Kudos to the Cavs fan who trumped up the charge resulting in his extradition.

  • Grosen

    What??He is taking his talents to Istanbul!! I’m appalled.

  • Harv 21

    disagree. 20 years ago a player that weak and timid couldn’t have made the final cut with many NBA teams as a 3rd stringer. He’s been on a roster because, aside from one star, the center position is at its lowest level since maybe George Mikan. His problem is not just slow feet. Imagine him against a broken down second stringer like Tree Rollins circa 1992. Tree would look like Dwight Howard against Erden.

  • Wow

    Thrilled with this news. He and Ryan Hollins could have won the award for worst 7 footer ever,

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Please make sure there aren’t any cameras nearby I don’t feel like seeing it replayed over and over and over. Oh wait it’s Semih Erden, nevermind.

  • Crazy D

    Some Infos from the source, straight out of Istanbul, Türkiye:

    He is happy to be back home… He was unhappy in Boston and even more in Cleveland… The language, the culture, the food, the bosphorus… so he signed with Efes Anadolu …

    During the lockout he was also playin here, with more fun than ever. There were roumors at that time that he would not return.

    So peace and good luck!

  • Vindictive_Pat

    You know, I recant my statement. I think you’re right. Thinking back to last season, any time Erden tried to take the ball to the basket he got stripped or blocked or just went up weak with the ball. Not sure how I forgot about that, but I did. That just shouldn’t happen to a 7-footer (Ryan Hollins, I’m looking directly at you too).

  • Vindictive_Pat

    What’s this Istanbul garbage? #Constantinople4life

  • BisonDeleSightings

    Erden just doesn’t have the toughness for the NBL.

  • architrance

    Damn! Always the bosphorus! Why!!!!!?

  • They Might Be Giants

    That’s nobody’s business but the Turks.

  • humboldt

    According to some reports, Omri Casspi is also implicated in the charge. Make it happen Janet Napolitano!

  • steve

    In more exciting NBA News: Chris Grant trimmed his fingernails today.

  • pete

    Godspeed, Semih, may you foul out in 15 minutes to your heart’s content