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David Griffin: Top 5 moves as Cleveland Cavaliers GM

By Tevin Williams

Aug 26, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love (left) and general manager David Griffin pose for photographers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love (left) and general manager David Griffin pose for photographers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin presents Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) with his championship ring before the game at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin presents Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) with his championship ring before the game at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

#5 Bring in the Delly

Griffin and the Cavaliers re-signed back up point guard Matthew Dellavedova to a 1-year, $1.1 million contract on July 27, 2015. Delly had a limited roll coming off of the bench in the 2014-15 season, averaging 4.8 points in 20.6 minutes of playing time.

When Kyrie Irving was injured in the 2015 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in 2015, Delly stepped up in a big way. He had a career game on the NBA’s biggest stage in Game 3. Delly finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 96-91 win. With limited talent, the Cavs went on to lose the series, but Dellavedova proved that he deserved a spot on Cleveland’s roster.

A year later in 2016, Cleveland had another shot at Golden State. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love back to full health, the Cavs won their first NBA title in franchise history. Delly was used purely as a defensive specialist against Steph Curry, whom he guarded with his usual ferocity.