Andrew Bogut officially signs with Cavaliers

Andrew Bogut is officially a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team announced Thursday in a press release. Bogut will wear No. 6 with the Cavs, which is the number LeBron James wears during practice. He is set to make his debut on Monday against the Miami Heat. Cleveland is currently on a three-game road trip with games at the Atlanta Hawks and at the Heat over the weekend.

Like Deron Williams, Bogut is making the prorated veteran’s minimum, meaning he will make $385,000 for the rest of the season. Williams, because he signed earlier, is making $407,000. Bogut was making $11 million with the Mavericks. Combined, the Cavaliers’ newest signing will cost around $2 million combined after luxury tax. Cleveland reportedly lost $40 million last season and has the league’s highest luxury tax bill. The team played $54 million in taxes last season.

Bogut cleared waivers yesterday after negotiating a buyout from the Philadelphia 76ers. He was traded to the 76ers by the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Nerlens Noel to the Mavs. Bogut, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, played against the Cavaliers as a member of the Golden State Warriors in the last two NBA Finals.

Bogut will play an important role for the Cavs over the next few weeks as Kevin Love remains out with a knee injury. Bogut himself has dealt with knee and hamstring injuries this season, limiting to 26 games. He is currently averaging 3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.