Report: Matthew Dellavedova, Cavaliers not close on deal

Matthew Dellavedova has had a rather quiet foray into free agency. Today, we got a better understanding as to why.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Dellavedova is seeking a multiyear deal that will start him off with a salary of $4 million annually. According to the report, the Cavs are cool on that price largely due to the tax implications of paying Dellavedova, who made $816,482 last season, $4 million a year. Dellavedova is a restricted free agent and to date has not been linked to any other teams.

As Mannix noted, the market for Delly's services isn't robust. Teams like the Cavs and Hornets who were in the market for point guards signed other players. The Cavs, of course, brought back Mo Williams for a second stint and the Hornets signed Jeremy Lin. In addition, the Cavs can match any offer sheet Dellavedova signs and he probably isn't a player worth spending relatively big on in order to force the Cavs not to match a hypothetical offer sheet.

In all likelihood, Dellavedova will probably be a Cavalier next year. The Cavs reportedly want him back despite signing Williams and there's still a role for Dellavedova as a defender and shooter. Speaking to the media in Las Vegas, Cavs GM David Griffin again said that the team would like to bring back Delly, along with J.R. Smith, if everything could be 'worked out'.

Having both Dellavedova and Williams back up Kyrie Irving seems ideal, as the two have largely different strengths and weaknesses. Williams is a poor defender, but a good ball handler, while Dellavedova is a good defender, but struggles initiating offense.

Last year, Dellavedova averaged 4.8 points and 3 assists largely coming off the bench and playing as on off guard. At the start of free agency, the Cavs offered him a qualifying offer worth slightly more than $1 million. If he so chooses, Dellavedova could accept that offer and enter unrestricted free agency next summer.