It might not have been the deal he was originally after, but following a month of speculation, Matthew Dellavedova is expected to commit to Cleveland on a new contract.
The point guard from Maryborough in country Victoria has reportedly agreed to stay in Ohio on a one year deal worth approximately USD $1.2 million (AUD $1.7 million).
It ends a month of uncertainty for Dellavedova, who received a qualifying offer from the Cavaliers at the start of the free agency period but delayed putting pen to paper after the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement.
This opened the door for other potential suitors.
Matthew Dellavedova will return to the Cavs on a one-year deal worth approximately $1.2 million, source w/ knowledge of the deal tells ESPN
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 27, 2015
According to reports, the Portland Trailblazers, who had more salary cap space than the Cavs, were preparing a contract offer for the point guard after negotiations stalled.
The one-year deal was markedly less than the $4 million per season ‘Delly’ was after – with Cleveland’s huge contracts with LeBron James, Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert leaving little wiggle-room for the Australian.
Still, the new agreement is a handsome increase on the USD $816’000 he earned last year and it’s expected the 24-year-old will be able to cash in next year when Cleveland will be be better positioned financially and Dellavedova will have another year of NBA experience under his belt.
Both Dellavedova and Cleveland were keen to stay together following the back-up point guard’s outstanding post-season.
The Australian was one of the big stories of the 2015 NBA Finals, not only putting in a stunning defensive effort on league MVP Stephen Curry, but having an uncharacteristically potent offensive performance – putting up twenty points in Game Three.
However, Dellavedova will encounter a bit more competition for his place as Kyrie Irving’s backup though this season, with the Cavaliers agreeing to terms Charlotte Hornets’ score-first point guard Mo Williams.
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