Baron Davis Waived By Cavaliers
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Dec 14, 2011 7:21 PM CST
in 2011-12 Season Preview
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Baron Davis is a Cleveland Cavalier no longer. According to multiple reports out of the Cavaliers' training camp, the team decided to use the amnesty clause to release the 32 year old guard on Wednesday evening. This means that Davis' contract does not count against the Cavaliers' salary cap. He was previously under contract for the next two seasons and owed roughly $14 million for each of those years.
"We want to thank Baron for his professionalism. This move gives us additional flexibility this year and next year." -Chris Grant
If you have been following this blog since the lockout ended, you know that I would have preferred for them to hold on to Baron Davis. He provides veteran leadership and has been nothing but professional since joining the Cavs. Although his contract does not count against the salary cap, the Cavs are still obligated to pay him for the next two seasons. Davis had not yet practiced with the team in training camp as he was seeking a second opinion on a nagging back injury. The doctors diagnosed the pain as a bulging disk and it was reported that he would be out indefinitely. This development was undoubtedly something that factored into the Cavaliers' decision to waive him.
By waiving Davis the Cavaliers are now roughly $8 million under the salary cap and would have about $20 million in cap space next summer. This certainly gives the front office some more flexibility to pursue other trades and free agents.
In my opinion, this speaks volumes about what the management thinks of rookie, Kyrie Irving. He will likely get much more playing time than he would have if Baron Davis remained on the team. It also makes a Ramon Sessions trade rather unlikely as he is the only other point guard on the roster.
In his brief stint in Cleveland, Baron Davis quickly became one of my favorite players. He gave 100% each and every night. He was instrumental in beating Miami on March 29th and for that, I am forever grateful.
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Sure, his professionalism was shocking and I appreciated it but I’m not against this one at all. It wasn’t really an albatross hanging over Chris Grant’s head in the slightest but he just isn’t necessary to have around. I’m a big fan of what Sessions brings to the table and I don’t want Kyrie babied early on so I’m okay with this move.
@Baron_Davis: I’m going to miss cleveland fans and the organization! When I was down and out you believed in me and embraced me!I will always be a cav!
FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Dec 14, 2011 7:40 PM CST reply actions
Truly an upstanding player. It’s so rare to see that kind of professionalism in the NBA today. I wish him nothing but the best, even if he ends up going to a team I despise.
Ndamukong Suh makes James Harrison look like a teletubby.
by Heavysoviet on Dec 14, 2011 10:27 PM CST up reply actions
wow
what a classy guy!.and ia glad he wore the wine and gold.but do think we are better going young this year.thank you BARON DAVIS.
He can’t just pick where he goes. He has to pass through waivers where teams are allowed to bid on him. If all the other 29 teams choose not to bid on them he’s free to sign with anyone he wants. He’s not Gilbert Arenas, someone will bid on him.
I am aware. I’m simply stating my hope that he doesn’t end up on the Heat and put them over the top. I know how the amnesty clause works, and that Baron Davis does not read my comments on a Cavs blog.
Dawgs By Nature: Holy Joe Thomas we suck
by Adrock2099 on Dec 14, 2011 11:31 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
kyrylo fesenko
one of the best defensive big centers in basketball (seriously, look it up), 25 years old, legitimately 7 feet tall. inexpensive. Better than Ryan Hollins. have him back up Varejao at the 5, see if he develops any type of offensive game. i say we pick him up
Is he a free agent?
FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Dec 14, 2011 11:39 PM CST up reply actions
Yep.
Utah doesn’t really have room for him either with their overloaded frontcourt. But he is apparently in the middle of rehabbing some sort of injury, at least judging from Fesenko Friday.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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I don’t know if the team would want to take minutes from Semih Erden. But it’s definitely an idea.
FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Dec 15, 2011 9:37 AM CST up reply actions
The Beard brought a spark to the season last year.
Sad to see him go – he was a pleasant surprise in an otherwise dreadful season and a rare class act in the NBA these days. Previous teams can say what they want about him, but the dude was nothing but positive and professional during his time with the Cavs.
The doctors diagnosed the pain as a bulging disk and it was reported that he would be out indefinitely.
If this is true, I believe it’s the right move. If the Cavs were going to pay $14M to the guy not to play for a majority of the season, they may as well do so while not having that number count against the cap. It’ll be nice to have some flexibility in the shortened season in case a nice option presents itself.
Best of luck to Boom Diddy. Based on his reputation, I expected the guy to come in and never play, but he was a great professional. When he’s healthy, he’ll be a nice piece for some team.
The WW Leader is reporting he is out 8-10 weeks minimum if he occurs absolutely no setbacks. That likely was a major factor in this decision during the shortened season.
Hopefully the injury doesn’t deter every single team from passing on bidding on him so he could just sign with anyone like Miami although I’ve heard he would rather go to LAL or NYK.
Yeah, I’ve heard about 2 to 3 months. That would really suck if he missed the whole season
FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Dec 15, 2011 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
My problem with this is this, are the Cavs going to actually USE this freed-up cap space? They don’t seem to be interested in using their $14 mil TPE so not sure why I would think they would use this cap space at all either…
unless this saves them money on the luxury tax or something? I’m not really sure how any of that works…
This brings the Cavs under the cap this season, meaning it will be easier to make a mid-season move than it would be otherwise. This move puts them $8M under the cap and puts them further away from paying luxury tax. While I don’t necessarily think the Cavs are planning on making any major in-season moves, this does give them the flexibility to do so.
As far as the TPE, remember that it takes two to tango. The Cavs aren’t going to use the TPE just for the sake of doing so, nor should they. There is no reason to take on additional salary unless they get something they want: a lottery pick and/or young talent. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of combinations of bad contracts and good picks/players available.
Baron faking?
Anyone think that the 8-10 week injury claim is out there just so many teams pass on him, he makes it though waivers to a good team and maybe he is not really hurt? With the Lakers missing out on Paul, he’d be a good fit there.
I’m disappointed, but this will probably work out in the end. But do the Cavs really need cap space or trade flexibility? Baron could’ve helped Irving develop. Since money shouldn’t be the issue, I’d rather have Baron around than not.
That’s probably the first time that sentenced has been uttered by an NBA team. It’s crazy how much Baron turned his attitude around in Cleveland
FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Dec 16, 2011 6:16 AM CST up reply actions
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