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Veteran point guard Jose Calderon is officially a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The team officially announced the addition of Calderon in a press release Monday night. The Cavs originally agreed to terms with the 35-year-old on the first day of free agency for reasons that are still unclear and were interested in signing him last season before adding Deron Williams. Calderon’s deal is reportedly worth the veteran’s minimum of $2.3 million.
Welcome to The Land, @JmCalderon!
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) July 10, 2017
DETAILS: https://t.co/k1DbDSK4vT#AllForOne pic.twitter.com/hqYbQP1gI2
Calderon also took to his own Twitter account to confirm the deal. At this time, it’s unknown what jersey number he will wear with the Cavs. During his career, he was worn Nos. 8, 3, 5 and 13.
Ahora es oficial!
— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) July 10, 2017
Muy feliz de empezar este nuevo reto!
Really happy, can't wait to start this new challenge.#DefendtheLand @cavs pic.twitter.com/DrusEqIKv3
“Really happy, can’t wait to start this new challenge,” he wrote in both English and his native Spanish.
Calderon will turn 36 before the start of the 2017-18 season and it’s unclear exactly what he’ll bring to the Cavs next season. Albeit in a small sample size, his shooting fell off last season with both the Hawks and Lakers and he’s never been a good defender. For this to work, Calderon will need to shoot closer to his career mark of 40.9 percent from three. In 41 games last year, he shot 31.3 percent from three.
At best, he will be what Williams was last year outside of the Finals: a semi-useful guard who looks better playing next to LeBron James on bench units. At worst, he’s unplayable, leaving the Cavs looking to Kay Felder or another veteran to fill in at backup point guard behind Kyrie Irving.