Ex-Bucks forward Larry Sanders and Cavaliers agree to contract
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a deal with free-agent center Larry Sanders, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.
Sanders hasn’t played since the 2014-15 season – when he decided to walk away from the game. But he recently told NBA.com he is ready to return and has worked out for other teams before reaching a deal with the Cavs.
Cleveland will sign Sanders for the remainder of the season. He has a non-guaranteed team option on his contract for the 2017-18 season.
Cavs star LeBron James is interested to see what Sanders can bring.
“An athletic big guy, incredible shot-blocking skills, anticipation around the rim, can finish around the rim and block shots and being able to guard perimeter guys as well,” James told reporters before a deal was reached. “With his hiatus, I don’t know what he was going through so I can’t comment about somebody’s personal life because I wasn’t a part of it. But it looks like he wants another opportunity and hopefully if we’re the team, hopefully we give him an opportunity. Why not? Everyone deserves a second chance, and it looks like he wants to get back to playing the game he loves and hopefully this is his destination. You don’t know how much you can get out of a guy that’s been out so long, but I’d love to see it. Why not?”
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In four-plus NBA seasons, Sanders averaged 6.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. Cleveland hopes he can provide defense and rim protection.
Cleveland plans to waive center Andrew Bogut, who signed with the Cavs on March 2 but broke his left leg in his first game with the team on March 6.
Sanders has violated the NBA's drug policy before, but the Cavs, in an effort to shore up their interior defense, felt it was worth taking a chance on the 28-year-old.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
