NBA Rumors - Andray Blatche (Photo : FIBA)
The Cleveland Cavaliers can still make minor changes in their roster while JR Smith has not signed yet.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there is not much cause for alarm from both sides. Smith is not in any danger of being poached by another team if that's the concern.
"League sources said that Smith and his camp were not overly concerned about reaching a deal," Kyler stated.
He also offered insights on why Smith the deal has not been signed yet.
"Cavaliers sources also point out that once Smith and teammate LeBron James sign, the team will be locked into luxury tax status - which would make trades or roster moves slightly more difficult," Kyler stated. "The sense from sources close to all of this was that Smith and the Cavaliers will reach a new deal, it just might not happen until closer to camp once the Cavaliers are sure there isn't another roster move to be made."
Now that the possibility has opened, what moves should the Cavaliers make? Their Sports Illustrated team blog King James Gospel suggests fortifying the frontline with a familiar figure.
Andray Blatche, last seen donning the Philippines national colors (he is now a naturalized Filipino) at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, where his team failed to win a game and qualify for the next round.
Blatche last played in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets after the Washington Wizards used its Amnesty provision on him. Since the end of the 2013-14 season, Blatche has elected to play for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Could an NBA return be in the books? Aaron Ferguson of KJG hopes so. He believes that Blatche could fill a void for the Cavs.
"Cleveland's current roster lacks size. The player best suited for playing against physical centers is Chris Andersen, and he's only 6-foot-10, 245 pounds. He is also 38 years old and doesn't have the athleticism of most NBA centers," Ferguson noted.
Blatche has shown that he can still be a stud on the inside. He regularly battles seven-foot Chinese centers as well as some NBA-level imports.
The question for Blatche has been commitment and conditioning, not strength and talent, which is why he chose China whose pro seasons have only 38 games as opposed to 82 for the NBA.
If he were to have a limited role for Cleveland on a low, slightly above minimum deal, this could be a low-risk, high reward signing. They would get a forward-center who's not afraid to bang bodies without losing Kevin Love. Ferguson suggests fitting Blatche in the second unit along with Channing Frye, a 6'11" forward who can stretch the floor.
Will the Cavs take their fan blog's advice and sign Blatche? Regardless of whether he plays in the CBA or NBA, Blatche has affirmed his commitment with Gilas Pilipinas (national team of the Philippines) as reported by Spin.ph. Blatche wa quoted saying: "I'll be back. Just let me know when you need me," shared the Gilas team manager Butch Antonio.
Antonio confided: "He still wants to get back to the NBA and we're supportive of that."
