Matthew Dellavedova back with the Cavs on a one-year deal

As first reported by ESPN, veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year minimum contract.

Dellavedova, 30, came back to the Cavs via the George Hill trade with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2018-19 season. He, of course, got his start in the NBA as an undrafted rookie with the Cavs out of St. Mary’s and went on to play a key role on the 2016 title winning Cavs team.

Per the New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Lakers also had interest Dellavedova. Last year with the Cavs, he appeared in 57 games, averaging 3.1 points and 3.2 assists in 14.4 minutes per game.

Dellavedova ultimately might not play all that much. It’s possible (and perhaps smart) that J.B. Bickerstaff with give the bulk of the guard minutes to Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Keevin Porter Jr., Dante Exum and, if the team wants to go younger, free agent signee Damyean Dotson.

But Dellavedova provides veteran leadership that is particularly needed with Tristan Thompson now playing with the Celtics. Between Dellavedova and Kevin Love, those are now the big pillars of the locker room. If Bickerstaff decides he needs it, Dellavedova can also get minutes and help better organize the team on the court at times. It’s a role he settled into last year when he saw more playing time towards the end of the season.

With Dellavedova coming back, the Cavs’ roster is now at 15. Depending on what happens with Matt Mooney, there could be one more two-way signing to go with Penn State product Lamar Stevens.