Matthew Dellavedova Reportedly Signs 1-Year Contract with Cleveland Cavaliers | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Matthew Dellavedova became a folk hero for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2015 postseason. Now, the breakout star has reportedly decided to return to the franchise on a one-year contract worth $1.2 million, according to ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin.
The deal is worth significantly less than the multi-year deal RealGM's Shams Charania of RealGM reported the two sides were working on earlier this month. According to Charania, they were initially progressing toward a deal worth $3 to $5 million per year.
On July 13, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported the Cavaliers were concerned about how Dellavedova's salary would drastically inflate their luxury-tax bill. So, he instead signed his one-year qualifying offer, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, which has him positioned to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Dellevadova's future had been the source of speculation after Mo Williams agreed to a two-year, $4.3 million deal with Cleveland on July 6, per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. At that time, however, Stein said the team was looking to retain the guard.
Dellavedova was also drawing interest from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Peter Socotch of CSNNW.com. On July 24, Socotch reported there were "mumblings" the team would sign him to an offer sheet.
The Cavaliers had extended a qualifying offer to the point guard after the season, allowing them to match any offer for his services.
Prior to this year's postseason, Dellavedova was an obscure presence on Cleveland's roster. He has appeared in 139 regular-season games over the past two years, averaging 4.7 points and 2.8 assists.
In the playoffs, Dellavedova filled in admirably for Kyrie Irving, who was unable to play for much of the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. The St. Mary's product started seven games, scoring a playoff career-high 20 points in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.
Even though Dellavedova eventually wore down against the Warriors—like everyone on Cleveland's roster—his fight and toughness endeared him to fans. If he's able to replicate his playoff success this coming season, the third-year floor general figures to be in line for a major raise next summer.
