With “Delly” – as Matthew Dellavedova is known of in Cleveland – being the Cleveland Cavaliers most improved player, many are wondering what the future holds for the third year back-up point guard.
If you remember, Dellavedova was a restricted free agent last off-season. He was asking for a then thought of ridiculous 3.2 million to resign in Cleveland. He garnered no other interest in the NBA and ended up signing his qualifying offer worth approximately 1.2 million.
At the end of this season, Dellavedova will again be a restricted free-agent. This works again in the Cavaliers favor as it allows the rest of the league to set his value by signing an offer sheet that the Cavs could match if they deem it reasonable.
The more realistic thing that we should expect is the Cavaliers offering him an extension in the area of 4-5 million per year. His assist totals and overall game have improved and made it almost a necessity. The only thing standing between Delly and a nice 3-4 year pay-day with the Cavs is newly guaranteed point guard reserve Jared Cunningham. The only thing that makes it a bit of a stretch is that Cunningham is only signed through the 2015/2016 season, so he would have to be resigned.
Cunningham has fit into his slot as fourth string point guard very well. Cunningham has very good defensive skills and has an athleticism that Dellavedova lacks. But the playoff experience and grit that Dellavedova has remains the key to his value as a back-up to Kyrie Irving. Delly’s shooting has slowly improved to a very good level while Cunningham has struggled with his shot.
With Mo Williams (their expected back-up point guard leading into the season) experiencing a torn ligament in his right thumb, the team has opted to rest Williams and allow him to recuperate from his injury – with a 4-6 week timeline for his full return – while playing very limited minutes.
With the Cavaliers playing the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, it has been well reported that 76ers head coach Brett Brown – who coached Dellavedova in 2012 for the Australian Men’s National Team – has coveted Delly for years and has followed his game. Could he convince Jerry Colangelo to overpay to bring on the young point guard as a back-up or perhaps replacement to Ish Smith?
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The rising salary cap, where 20 teams are expected to have “max” space also could play a role in Delly leaving Cleveland. While the Cavs want to retain him, some team might feel pressure to spend their cap space (cap floor plays a role in these decisions as well) and throw a huge offer Dellavedova’s way.
If anyone would jeopardize the Cavaliers retaining Delly, it would be the 76ers. However, the 76ers are a young and consistently sub .500 team that has lots of potential, but not a lot of experience. Dellavedova has played in one NBA Finals and is positioned well with the Cavaliers to repeat last year’s Eastern Conference domination.
The question remains:
Will the Cavaliers recognize the continued growth of Matthew Dellavedova and resign him this off-season to a mutually advantageous contract for 3-4 years?