Push to unite Bogut, LeBron
BOOMER Andrew Bogut is tipped to sign with reigning NBA champion Cleveland.
The Melbourne-born centre is reportedly negotiating a buyout with Philadelphia after he was traded to the 76ers, along with Justin Anderson, in a deadline deal that took Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Sixers were unable to find a trade partner for the big man and a buyout will leave him free to sign where he chooses.
With suitors including the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, two Dallas sources have reportedly told ESPN that Bogut has chosen to head east and join LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the rest of a stacked roster.
The Cavaliers are also set to add Bogut’s Dallas teammate, point guard Deron Williams.
Bogut, 32, has struggled with injury this season, having suited up in only 26 games for averages of 3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 block per game.
His signing with the Cavaliers would be intriguing. He was part of the Golden State Warriors team that defeated the Cavs in the 2015 NBA finals.
A knee injury in game five of the rematch in 2016 forced him out of the rest of the finals, allowing the Cavs to overturn a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Warriors in seven. He was then shipped to Dallas as part of the deal that landed former NBA MVP Kevin Durant.
Bogut has links to Cleveland in the form of coach Tyron Lue, who he played with at the Milwaukee Bucks in 2008-09, and former Warriors teammate Richard Jefferson.
He would provide much needed rim protection as a back-up — and insurance policy — to rebounding machine Tristan Thompson.
Williams, who has been waived by the Mavericks, would give the Cavs the backup playmaker James has vocally coveted throughout the season.
If the pair sign as expected, the Cavs will have landed former No.1 draft pick (Bogut, 2005), No.2 (Derrick Williams, 2011, who signed a second 10day contract earlier this month) and No.3 (Deron Williams, 2005) – without trading away a single piece.
In key matches yesterday, Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma City past New Orleans, 118-110, the Los Angeles Clippers needed overtime to top Charlotte 124-121, San Antonio stomped the Los Angeles Lakers 119-98, Utah downed Washington 102-92, Boston came from behind to topple Detroit 104-98, Memphis stopped Denver 105-98 and Toronto got past Portland 112-106.