While We’re Waiting…More on Anthony Bennett, Sergey Karasev, and Michael Brantley’s contract
June 30, 2013MLB News: Indians place Bourn on 3-day Paternity list, recall Hagadone
June 30, 2013The Cavaliers will reportedly not be extending qualifying offers to either Omri Casspi or Wayne Ellington, allowing both to become free agents when free agency begins on Monday.
Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal was first on the story.
#Cavs won't extend qualifying offer to Wayne Ellington, per league source, but are open to bringing him back. Protecting cap space right now
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) June 30, 2013
Ellington, who Lloyd says will still be a target for Chris Grant to retain this off season, averaged a career high 10.6 points per game on 44% shooting off the bench for the Cavaliers last season. Along with Marreese Speights, Ellington gave the Cavaliers a much needed boost to their second unit after coming over via trade from Memphis back in January.
Along with allowing Ellington to test free agency, the Cavs will do the same with Omri Casspi as first reported by Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
#Cavs will not extend qualifying offer to Omri Casspi or Wayne Ellington, source says. Ellington news first reported by Akron Beacon Journal
— clevelanddotcom Cavs (@PDcavsinsider) June 30, 2013
While Ellington may still find his way back into the Wine and Gold, all indications are that Casspi is as good as gone.
The “Jewish Jordan” has had a rough go of it in Cleveland ever since being acquired from the Sacramento Kings along with a future first round pick in exchange for JJ Hickson. The 25 year old forward reportedly requested a trade last season after falling out of head coach Byron Scott’s rotation. Casspi saw his averages drop in every major statistical category after moving from the Kings to Cavs back in the summer of 2011, averaging just 4 points and 11 minutes in 43 games during the 2012-13 season.
The trade was not all bad though, as the Cavs own the rights to a future Sacramento first round pick, with the pick being 1-12 protected in 2014, and 1-10 protected until 2017 when the pick turns into a 2nd rounder.
[Related: The NBA Draft may be complete, but Chris Grant’s job is just getting started]
16 Comments
No surprise on either account. Casspi made that trade for Hickson even worse the more he played.
I like Ellington a lot. He fills it up nicely from beyond the 3pt line when he get’s open and I really hope we are able to bring him back.
As for Casspi, good riddance. End of the bench player who thinks he’s worth a trade? Nah nah nah nah…
i hope theyre clearing up cap space to re-sign luke walton
So does Bill! 😉
I liked Ellington from what I saw I think his return will depend on $$$. There are some other guys in FA who could do the same job.
Rockets supposed to be shopping both Lin and Asik. I’d be real interested in Asik if I were the Cavaliers.
While his price tag isn’t stellar…you will always overpay for a big man…and his defensive prowess is exactly what we need. Wish we had kept Wayne Ellington…I liked him as a bench option.
I think that, for Chris Grant, it was more about the future 1st rounder than it was Casspi. Hickson was never in our long term plans. Clearly, Casspi wasn’t either.
Asik proved he can play and I was skeptical of him as a FA from the Bulls. Solid defense, blocked shots, can score double digits and can also rebound. He and Zeller would be perfect in the middle. Varejao could do what he does best and float whether it’s as a PF or C it wouldn’t matter especially in a small lineup.
Hopefully because if he thought Casspi had anything I’m more nervous about the selection of Anthony Bennett.
Yeah, I’m OK with Asik. Like I said, while his price tag is a bit high…you end up overpaying for a big…but he brings exactly what we need. Mostly, now, it just depends on how much Houston is asking for.
I think that he looked at Casspi and thought, “It’s worth a shot.” The first half of his rookie season he was on fire. He declined from there…but how much of that was Casspi and how much of that was Sacramento?
At this point, the answer is painfully obvious that it was quite a bit Casspi. But at the time of the trade, if he worked out, it’s icing on the cake.
I don’t know what Asik makes I assume since he just signed that free agent deal a year ago it’s a nice chunk of change. I was just looking at fit. For me he fits perfectly for the Cavaliers even if Zeller remained. Most likely Zeller would probably be included in any deal for Asik but I really liked what I saw out of Asik last year.
According to Hoopshype, he makes 8.4M each year over the next two seasons. I’d gladly take that on.
The Cavaliers could handle that even without trading someone back. I doubt they go after Asik but to me he would seem to be a perfect fit.
I think that Houston will want some value back (not just picks)
As I stated in another article, a deal that sends Varejao and Miles (or Zeller) for Asik and T-Rob would probably suit them quite well.