Leon Powe Signs with Cleveland Cavaliers
Former Boston Celtics Forward Reaches 2-Year Deal with Cavs
Aug 12, 2009
Powe, 25 years of age, last played for the Boston Celtics. Earlier this Summer, the Boston Celtics decided not to tender Powe a contract offer due to the uncertain status of a knee injury he sustained last Spring. The Boston Celtics appeared to have moved forward without Powe when they signed free agents Rasheed Wallace, Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Sheldon Williams. Powe became a free agent, and was pursued by over 10 NBA teams immediately. Ultimately, Leon Powe decided to join one of the Celtics' premier rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Sign Leon Powe to Contract
NBA sources revealed that yesterday Powe traveled to Cleveland to meet with team doctors and officials. The Cavaliers organization was concerned with a torn ACL injury to Powe's left knee. However, if doctors were satisfied with the stage of Powe's rehabilitation, and could determine that he would be available to play later this season, the Cavs would go ahead with the deal.
For the Cavaliers this is a low risk, high reward type of signing. The contract calls for the Cavs to pay Powe the veteran minimum, slightly over $855,000 this upcoming season. The Cavs have the upper hand with Powe's contract as well, as they hold a team option for next season. If Cleveland's gamble pays off, then they would pay Powe roughly $916,000 next season.
If Powe were currently healthy he could have commanded a larger dollar amount as his tough style of play near the basket is what many NBA teams search for. With the Celtics, Powe displayed his tenasity to grab rebounds and score with authority around the rim. Leon played a major role in helping Boston defeat the Los Angeles Lakers two seasons ago for the NBA Championship.
Leon Powe's Spot on the Cleveland Cavaliers Roster
Powe is not expected to suit up in a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey until January or February of 2010. The team is okay with that though as they have many frontcourt options with Shaquille O'Neal, Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson. When Powe is ready to play, head coach Mike Brown will have to juggle him into the rotation, and be sure that Leon is ready to play Cavaliers' style of basketball before the playoffs begin. Leon Powe will come off of the bench, and likely play behind Anderson Varejao. Ilgauskas and Powe would be an interesting duo coming off of the bench together. Powe could bang around inside the paint, while "Big Z" could spread the floor with his outside shooting. If Powe receives minutes playing next to LeBron James or Shaquille O'Neal he can likely expect many open passes underneath the hoop as his teammates will be double teamed.
In Powe's last 70 games he has averaged 7.7 points while shooting 52% from the field. Powe also earned a career high in rebounds with 4.9 in 17.5 minutes per game. Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry had this to add about signing Powe. “Leon is a high quality player and person. His tough, gritty play has already contributed in big playoff games during his young career.”
Sources:
RealGM, ESPN, Cleveland Plain Dealer
 |
