Cleveland Cavaliers NBA free agency news 2015: Richard Jefferson close to signing with Cavs
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to add pieces to their roster to have a better result with their championship bid next season as they are reportedly close to signing veteran forward Richard Jefferson.
Jefferson is a 14-year veteran who played last season with the Dallas Mavericks and averaged 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in the regular season.
He also played four games and even had two starts in their first-round series loss to the Houston Rockets during last season's campaign.
The 35-year-old player's free agency has a similarity with that of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan.
Jordan and Jefferson had verbal agreements to sign with Dallas but both had a change of heart.
Although according to a report by ESPN, Jefferson told Mavericks owner Mark Cuban about his decision to sign with another team unlike what happened to Jordan that led to a drama-filled saga, which unfolded in recent weeks.
"He called and talked to me. RJ said he had an opportunity with an Eastern Conference team. He said he would honor what he [originally agreed to with the Mavs] but thought the other was a better fit. I told him I was OK with it and understood," Cuban shared with ESPN.
Jefferson is a veteran who found success in his earlier years in the league when he was still with the then-New Jersey Nets.
The former Olympian spent his first seven seasons with the Nets before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2008 and played only one season with the team.
Since then he had stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and the Utah Jazz before ending up with the Mavericks last season.
Jefferson can contribute offensively for the Cavs this season and may also provide efficient minutes as he will likely be coming off the bench to rest starters.
He is also an option in the three-point territory and has been shooting well in that area in the past few seasons.
The addition of Jefferson also gives the Cavaliers another veteran go-to guy since guard J.R. Smith opted out of his contract and has not re-signed yet with the team.
