Cleveland adds big man Bogut

Andrew Bogut has changed jerseys — and perhaps sides in the NBA Finals.

The free agent center signed Thursday with the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining the team he faced the past two Junes with a championship on the line.

Bogut spent the past four seasons with the Golden State Warriors, who could be on a collision course to play the Cavaliers for the third year in a row.

A lot of basketball will be played before that, but the 7foot Bogut gives the Cavaliers another proven veteran to help them get back to the Finals and defend their title.

Bogut, 32. the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, is not expected to make his debut with Cleveland until Monday when the Cavaliers host Miami. The Cavaliers are at Atlanta on Friday and will finish a three-game trip against the Heat on Saturday.

The 7-foot Bogut deepens the Cavaliers up front as they await Kevin Love’s return from knee surgery.

Bogut, who is also one of the game’s best passing big men, will be motivated to try and get back to the Finals and face the Warriors, who traded him last summer to open salary cap space so they could sign Kevin Durant.

Notes

Golden State signed forward Matt Barnes, adding the edgy veteran after losing Kevin Durant to a knee injury. The Warriors announced the signing Thursday. He played in 54 games with the Sacramento Kings this season before being waived. The 36-year-old Barnes will add some toughness and defense to the Warriors, who are priming for a run to their third straight NBA Finals. He was in uniform for Golden State’s game in Chicago. Durant is out indefinitely with a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Thursday night’s games

Bulls 94, Warriors 87: Jimmy Butler scored 22 points and Chicago beat visiting Golden State in the Warriors’ first game since Kevin Durant injured his left leg. The Warriors’ regular-season streak without consecutive losses ended at 146 games.

Suns 120, Hornets 103: Marquese Chriss scored 17 points and Phoenix shot 59.7 percent in a victory over visiting Charlotte.