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Matthew Dellavedova, an undrafted rookie from St. Mary's of the West Coast Conference (WCC), appears to have a pretty good shot to grab a possible roster spot with the Cleveland Cavaliers during training camp. We already knew he was planning on attending camp with the Cavs, but now the team has actually signed him to two year deal.
Thanks everyone for the support (and birthday wishes)-have a partial guarantee which means I still have to make the team at training camp.
— Matthew Dellavedova (@matthewdelly) September 9, 2013
According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, the first year of the deal involves only a small guarantee, so it is still not a done deal that Dellavedova ends up being one of the final 15 players on the Cavaliers roster. Still, given his experience with the Cavaliers summer league team and their desire to have him under control for two years, you have to feel like the team sees something they like.
Dellavedova was one of the better players in the WCC, and as a senior averaged 15.8 points and 6.4 assists per game. Whether he has the athleticism to play in the NBA is an open question, and his play at summer league was inconclusive at best. Still, the Cavaliers aren't looking for a starter, or even anyone to get serious minutes. With Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack, and even Dion Waiters on board, the team has several capable ball handlers. This isn't like years previous with Donald Sloan and Jeremy Pargo fighting to get backup minutes. If Dellavedova makes the team, it is likely he would spend most of the season with the Canton Charge.
I have to be honest. It is really nice to be able to write an article about a signing like this with the knowledge that unless things really go wrong, an undrafted rookie is unlikely to play a huge role with the team immediately. If you have another player you would rather have getting the third point guard role, let me know.