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Cleveland Cavaliers Waive DeAndre Liggins

By Quenton S. Albertie

Dec 13, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) and guard DeAndre Liggins (14) celebrate in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) and guard DeAndre Liggins (14) celebrate in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers waived DeAndre Liggins. Why?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard DeAndre Liggins, per a press release from the team’s official site.

Liggins, who made it through the Cleveland Cavaliers training camp, summer league and preseason to make the 15-man roster, has been ducking the cut line all season. He edged out Dahntay Jones before the season began, despite Jones’ popularity with James. He also edged out Jordan McRae as the 14th man when Andrew Bogut, and then, Larry Sanders were acquired.

Meeting the swift scythe that represents the cycle of the NBA was really inevitable for Liggins, probably.

Despite Liggins’ ability to step up when J.R. Smith was injured, knocking 45.5 percent of his three-point attempts in December, a month that also saw Liggins starting in ten games, he was on the end of the bench when Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue decided to insert Iman Shumpert in the starting lineup. Liggins, who gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a world-class defense and took the pressure off of Kyrie Irving defensively, would only be seen at the end of games.

Liggins probably has earned himself another chance to latch onto a ball club with his performance with the Cavs this season. Because he’s been waived after the March 1st deadline, teams that are playoff contention wouldn’t be able to play Liggins in the postseason. However, teams that aren’t in playoff contention could look to give Liggins an extended look before the season ends.

With a roster spot open, the Cleveland Cavaliers have the ability to sign any player who was waived by the March 1st deadline. Shams Charania of The Vertical reported the Cavs have interest in Josh Smith. Dahntay Jones is also still a free agent and eligible for the playoffs.

Smith would provide more depth for the Cleveland Cavaliers frontcourt while Jones would be a valuable veteran voice in the locker room.

It’s unlikely, but the Cleveland Cavaliers could opt to call up a player from their NBA D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge. John Holland, Jonathan Holmes and Eric would be the three most likely candidates for a call up.

The 15th spot could also be left open for the rest of the season, in a cash-saving move.

Waiving Liggins, especially at this point in the season, is a curious move in any case. One has to wonder what happened for Liggins to be released.

Related Story: 3 Reasons The Cavs Can Repeat As Champions

What do you think of the Cleveland Cavaliers waiving DeAndre Liggins? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.