DALLAS (Texas) • Big man Andrew Bogut has agreed to sign with National Basketball Association (NBA) champions Cleveland Cavaliers, giving them yet another valuable acquisition, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
The Australian, 32, who was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to Philadelphia last week and agreed to a buyout with the 76ers, will have to clear waivers this morning (Singapore time) before he can join the Cavs, Cleveland.com reported.
His addition would be the second pickup for Cleveland this week, after point guard Deron Williams, who signed with the team on Monday after he was waived by the Mavericks.
The Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics had all shown interest in the 2.13m centre.
David Bauman, Bogut's agent, told ESPN: "It was a methodical process. He wanted to talk to all the teams and he wanted to make sure he understood the role (in each situation).
"Then he called me and said, 'Cleveland just feels right'. This gives Andrew a chance to get back to the Finals and prove to everyone he's the defensive player everyone knows he can be."
Bogut has faced the Cavaliers in the past two NBA Finals while playing for the Golden State Warriors, winning his first ring in 2015.
The Warriors shipped him to the Mavericks last summer to open cap space to allow them the financial leeway to sign free agent Kevin Durant.
In 26 games with the Mavericks this season, Bogut averaged 3.0 points and 8.3 rebounds.
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