Cleveland Cavaliers To Sign Jordan McRae

The Cleveland Cavaliers missed out on their chance to sign Joe Johnson, so here is their consolation prize.

Last month, Jordan McRae set the NBA D-League record with 61 points in a game for the Delaware 87ers.

Now, he is a Cavalier.

First reported by Upside Motor’s Chris Reichert, McRae will sign a 10-day contract with Cleveland and could suit up in the Wine and Gold as early as tomorrow’s game in Washington against the Wizards.

Cleveland was heavily chasing Johnson, with LeBron James even adding some public endorsements, but the former Brooklyn Net ended up signing with the Miami Heat, citing a greater opportunity to play as the main reason for signing in South Beach.

The reasoning makes sense, as the Cavaliers rotation is more a less set, with coach Tyronn Lue figuring out ways to play about nine guys a night.

McRae, despite his scoring expertise, isn’t expected to be a regular contributor for the Cavs.

He is averaging 23.3 points, 4.6 boards and 5.2 assists per game this season with the 87ers and has already had a stint in the NBA this season.

In seven games with the Phoenix Suns this season, McRae averaged 5.3 points on a 42.3% shooting clip before being let go after his second 10-day contract with the team. If a team still wants to keep a player after their second 10-dayer, they must sign him for the rest of the season. Phoenix didn’t see enough from McRae to make that commitment.

Last season, McRae played for Melbourne United in the NBL, Australia’s premier basketball league. McRae was one of the NBL’s most proficient scorers, averaging 19.8 points a night, while shooting 44.1% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. He also chipped in 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game with United.

McRae is a solid insurance policy option for the Cavs but it is hard to see where his minutes will come from.

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Mo Williams is struggling with a sore left knee but he was out if the rotation anyway, so there will be no minutes for McRae there.

The only way McRae will be able to produce on the court in Cleveland is if someone gets hurt and it opens opportunities for the former Tennessee Volunteer.

If not, don’t expect to see McRae in Cleveland for the entire season, unless he impresses the squad in practices.