Daily News - July 2, 2017

**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**

Cleveland.com Free Agency Roundup: Cleveland Cavaliers Scribbles on Paul George, trades, free agency
Author: Terry Pluto
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Cavaliers notebook as NBA free agency opens:

1. Paul George being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder is yet another example of all the crazy media frenzy -- yet missing a huge trade. For weeks, there were reports of George heading to about 10 teams. None had the Indiana star landing in OKC, where he was traded Friday night.

2. I mention this because some fans became inflamed about a report of Kyrie Irving being traded to the Utah Jazz. That's right, Irving to Utah. And five seconds of thought should have screamed, "No way." I'd bet Utah asked acting general manager Koby Altman about Irving. I know the Indiana Pacers did as a possible trade for George.

3. The Cavs want to a win a title. You don't do that by trading Irving, who has shown he can star on the NBA's biggest stage. The Cavs need to find the right third player to go with LeBron James and Irving as they try to find a way to beat the Golden State Warriors. That's why they wanted Jimmy Butler or George, another athlete to hopefully match the quickness of Golden State. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Cleveland.com Free Agency Roundup: Jose Calderon, Cavaliers reportedly agree to one-year deal
Author: Joe Vardon
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers and veteran free-agent point guard Jose Calderon have agreed to a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum, sources told cleveland.com.

Priority Sports, Calderon's representatives, announced on Twitter that the 35-year old had reached agreement with the team. The contract is for one season and about $2.33 million, sources said.

Calderon, brought in as a veteran backup behind Kyrie Irving, played 41 games for the Lakers and Hawks in 2016-17 -- arguably the worst of his 11 NBA seasons. He averaged career lows in scoring (3.4 ppg), assists (2.1 apg) and field-goal percentage (.410). - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Akron Beacon Journal Free Agency Roundup: Cavaliers in talks to trade Iman Shumpert to Rockets; Jose Calderon agrees to one-year deal
Author: Marla Ridenour
Publication: Akron Beacon Journal

Trying to dump salary and bolster their assets for free agency maneuvers, the Cavaliers were in serious talks Saturday to trade Iman Shumpert to the Houston Rockets, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cavs are seeking a draft pick and a trade exception for Shumpert, which would free up salary cap space to re-sign Kyle Korver and help them in future deals. Shooting guard Korver, an unrestricted free agent traded to the Cavs in January, received a contract offer to remain in Cleveland, a source familiar with the decision confirmed.

Shumpert carries a $10.3 million salary for 2017-18 and $11 million in his player option year in 2018-19, per spotrac.com. According to Wojnarowski’s story on ESPN.com, trading Shumpert would drop the Cavs’ committed salaries for 2017-18 from $125 million to $115 million guaranteed, $4 million below the luxury tax, and save the team $17.1 million in taxes. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

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