The Cleveland Cavaliers and point guard Matthew Dellavedova have agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum salary of $2.17 million.
A fan favourite during their 2016 championship run, “Delly” might not be the same player he was during the teams NBA Finals run in 2015, but he still provides the Cavs with a steady veteran presence on their rebuilding club.
The 30-year-old’s offensive production cratered last season, as he sank only 35.4% of field goals and an unpalatable 23.1% of three-pointers; posting a measly 3.1 points per contest.
This drastic decline in scoring led to Delly receiving very limited playing time, earning a career-low 14.4 minutes per game. Delly’s team value, however, is expected to come primarily through his team leadership and his ability to mentor the Cavaliers younger guards Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and fellow Melbournian, Dante Exum.
Dellavedova signed with the Cavs after going undrafted in 2013 where he spent the first three seasons of his career including winning the 2016 NBA championship alongside Lebron James.
In the 2016 offseason, the Aussie signed a four-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks but he was sent back to Cleveland in a three-team deal in 2018 mid-season.
Dellavedova re-upping with the Cavs is a boon to the Boomers chances in the 2021 Olympics, as Cleveland’s inexperienced squad will almost certainly finish outside of the playoff picture.
Under the current Olympic scheduling this would result in both Dellavedova and Exum (a possible Boomers bench piece) having ample time to quarantine and be able to join the Australian Boomers for the Olympic tournament.
Fellow members of the Australian Boomers Thon Maker, Jonah Bolden, Ryan Broekhoff, Will Magnay and Jock Landale are among free agents yet to secure NBA deals ahead of the season’s December 22 tip-off.
The 2020-21 NBA season is set to tip-off on Dec. 23 (AEDT).
Ethan Pechersky is a Philadelphia-based sportswriter with a deep love for Australia. Standing 5'10" with absolutely zero basketball talent to his name, he spends his time thinking he knows more than every coach and GM in the league, and being disappointed year in and year out by his beloved Jazz's early playoff exits.
