The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Jefferson signs on for another year
True to the announcement he made at the Cavaliers’ championship rally last month, Richard Jefferson is coming back for one more year.
Jefferson announced he was retiring immediately after the Cavs beat Golden State in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 19. But after a couple of days to reflect, he decided he really wasn’t ready to quit.
On July 28, the Cavs announced they re-signed the 6-foot-7 forward whose defense in the playoffs was instrumental in dethroning the Warriors. Contract terms were not disclosed, but it is believed the deal is for one year.
“RJ’s versatility on the court and leadership off it were core parts of our identity and success last year,” General Manager David Griffin said in a statement. “In many respects, his impact was greater as the stakes got higher. His NBA Finals performance is a testament to his dedicated, steady approach and his presence in our locker room throughout the year and postseason cannot be overstated. We’re very thankful he decided to continue his career and we know that his teammates appreciate what he brings to this team at a very deep level.”
Jefferson played in 74 games with five starts during the 2015-16 regular season. He averaged 5.5 points on .458 shooting and 1.7 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game.
Over his 15-year career, he has played in 1,082 games with 796 starts with New Jersey (currently the Brooklyn Nets), Milwaukee, San Antonio, Golden State, Utah, Dallas and the Cavs, averaging 13.3 points 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.1 minutes per game.
Jefferson played in 21 games with two starts in the 2016 playoffs, averaging 5.4 points on .524 shooting and 3.5 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game.
In his 126 career playoff games (75 starts), including three NBA Finals appearances, he has averaged 11.6 points on .474 shooting, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29 minutes per game.