NBA Free Agency: Leon Powe Prefers Cleveland
Written By: Scott | Category: Cleveland Cavaliers | Comments: 15
And can you blame him?
But does Cleveland feel the same way about Powe?
David Aldridge’s latest over at NBA.com says that free agent forward Leon Powe would like to join the wine and gold for the upcoming season.
It may take Celtics restricted free agent forward Leon Powe months to return to the court after suffering a torn left ACL and damaging his meniscus in the playoffs, if he can come back at all. But several contending teams are interested in him, and the interest is mutual. In fact, Powe would like to join LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal in Cleveland next year in pursuit of another championship.
It’s always good to have a player who wants to be playing for your team. However, what is not the best of news is that Powe is looking for a deal that would give him the option in the second year, essentially allowing him to become a free agent and use whomever he signs with this season as a stepping stone to a bigger pay day. Something that Aldridge has referenced as being “completely unreasonable.”
Factor in that he is coming off of a surgery that will mark the third major injury to the same knee, and you can understand why some fans would throw up a flag of caution for Danny Ferry and Company as they look to add another front court name.
February is the reported target date for Powe to hit the hardwood once again. Is this the type of player who would be worth the bi-annual $2 million? Hakim Warrick is already out of the mix. This appears to leave the Cavaliers with Powe, Joe Smith and the lanky, sharp-shooting tandem of Rob Kurz and Steve Novak.
Whatever the Cavs would choose to offer Powe, there appears to be zero chance that the Celtics would match. This could be pretty telling given Powe’s age, or I could just be reading too much in to the situation. Stay tuned…
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(Update: Windhorst reports that Cavs have offered Powe a contract. No word on the details, but he is apparently ahead of schedule with his knee.)
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1701 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
So why exactly is KG going all Mike Tyson on his ear?
Apparently the Vic deal is done. Waiting to hear the details.
@ denny: he’s not… he’s whispering sweet, sweet nothings
Well, if he prefers Cleveland, and an offer is on the table, then hopefully we’ll see him in the W&G. Sorry, Joe Smith.
/No Kurz!!!
Powe is unrestricted, so he can go wherever he wants. Celtics let him go so unlike with BBD, they don’t have an option to match (nor seem to want one). Leon plays with a ton of energy and heart, if he comes there you’re getting a great player. Sorry to see him go, but will be happy for him if he lands with a good championship caliber team.
Thanks for the comment, Michelle. Hopefully, things work out for all involved.
Windy tweeted that according to sources the Cavs have made him an offer. Maybe the logic is that JJ and/or D-Block hold down the fort until he comes back from injury to rejoin the team for the playoff run. IF he’s healthy, and that’s a big if, he could be really good for us.
The Cavs are really in a position right now though to offer Powe a contract for 1 or 2 years because they don’t necessarily need another player. With the tremendous upside to him and hopefully a vengeance to get back at Boston, he will be a nice addition come Feb. or whenever hes healed.
Powe’s per min stats are exceptional.
this is nice. a (semi) talented athlete making his name elsewhere, WANTING to come TO Cleveland. ahhhhh….
Just skeptical about his injury(ies)….
If you look at that picture just so, it almost looks like KG is sucking his ear…
/shudder
Powe is worth the wait and the gamble. He plays HARD.
Like Vic Martinez, this dude plays all-out and leads. Worth the wait til Feb. if we can get him at that price.
I would love if we signed Neon Leon Powe.
[...] appears to be nothing imminent despite the fact it was previously reported that Cleveland is Powe’s preferred destination. The 25-year-old forward already has been a big talking point for many fans this summer, and would [...]
[...] Anderson), but also one that appears to have featured more compromise from Powe who was reportedly hoping for a player option for that second [...]