Former Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams cleared waivers as the league’s 5 p.m. deadline passed Saturday and is likely to be signed by the Cavaliers, a league source said.
ESPN’s Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst first reported Williams made it through unclaimed, which a league source confirmed to the Beacon Journal.
Logistics may prevent the Cavaliers’ signing from happening immediately, but it appears their long search for a backup point guard may soon end.
The Cavs had to suffer through some anxiety when three-time All-Star Williams hit waivers because of Williams’ manageable $8 million salary. But the fact that Williams could join close friend Kyle Korver, a former teammate with the Utah Jazz, is another selling point for the defending NBA champions.
Williams, 32, played with Korver, 35, in Utah for over 2 1/2 seasons and Korver convinced Williams of the opportunity in Cleveland and chemistry among the players.
Waived by the Mavericks Thursday, Williams carries career averages of 16.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from 3-point range. In 40 games this season he posted averages of 13.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists while hitting 43 percent of his field goals and 34.8 percent of from beyond the arc.
Presuming the signing includes the remaining portion of Williams’ salary for 2016-17 and taxes, Williams would cost the Cavs about $1.1 million.
A league source said the Cavs pursued Williams in free agency in July, 2015 after he was waived by the Brooklyn Nets, but Williams signed with the Mavericks three days later.
The Cavs have been looking for a reliable backup for Kyrie Irving since Matthew Dellavedova was traded to Milwaukee in July. Dellavadova signed a four-year, $38 million contract to start for the Bucks.
The situation is murkier for power forward/center Andrew Bogut, traded from the Mavericks to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. As of Saturday evening Bogut had not been bought out and waived by the 76ers.
To complete their roster, the Cavs are also seeking a rim protector and Bogut would fit the bill. But Bogut, a member of the league’s all-defensive team in 2014-15 with the Golden State Warriors, could also be pursued by the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs if he becomes available.
For a potential acquisition to make the Cavs’ playoff roster, waivers must be requested by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday. After clearing waivers, there is no deadline for when a player must be signed.
The Cavs presently have only one open roster spot, which presumably will be filled by Williams.
Power forward Jared Sullinger, the former Ohio State star, was traded from Toronto to Phoenix on Thursday and waived by the Suns on Friday. Sullinger, 6-foot-9, carries career averages of 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. But he doesn’t fit the rim protector mold along the lines of Tristan Thompson the Cavs seek.