Cavaliers sign free agent forward Leon Powe

['EclipZe]

Cavaliers sign free agent forward Leon Powe


Posted Aug 12 2009 9:26PM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers signed free agent forward Leon Powe, who as a youth played with LeBron James on several AAU teams, to a two-year contract on Wednesday.

Powe won't be playing with James anytime soon. He played in 70 games with the Boston Celtics last season, but tore the ACL in his left knee in the playoffs and had reconstructive surgery on May 5.

It was the third major medical procedure Powe has endured on the knee. He isn't expected to be ready to play for the Cavaliers until February.

But the Cavs, in need of frontcourt depth, saw Powe as a player who could help at some point in 2010.

"Leon is a high quality player and person. His tough, gritty play has already contributed in big playoff games during his young career," Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said in a statement. "As he continues to work rehabilitating his injury, we would look to hopefully see him return toward the end of the season."

Powe, who averaged 7.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season, will receive the league minimum for a third-year veteran player. The Cavaliers hold an option for 2010-11.

Powe considered only contenders and chose the Cavaliers over the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, among others, according to his agent, Aaron Goodwin.

"A lot of teams will tell a guy, 'Come see us when you're healthy,"' Goodwin said. "The Cavs were saying, 'Come here now and we'll help you get healthy."'

Powe spent his first three seasons with the Celtics, averaging 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds as a backup. He was a restricted free agent, but became eligible to sign with any team when Boston did not make him a qualifying offer.

"Were we surprised? No," Goodwin said of the Celtics' decision. "Were we disappointed? Yes."

In Cleveland, the 6-foot-8 forward adds another veteran player to a team that this offseason already has traded for Shaquille O'Neal, re-signed forward Anderson Varejao and signed free agents Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon.

Goodwin acknowledged that a big factor for Powe was the chance to be reunited with James, his old AAU teammate.

Powe was drafted in the second round by the Denver Nuggets in 2006 and traded to the Celtics for a future pick.

If he returns from his injury he could become useful for the cavs. Good add in a future point of view, but for now ehhh..

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Powe is solid.. dont think this'll realllymake a difference, though

[tempo2]

great addition by the cavs, theyve picked up real solid players in this years free agency. parker and powe will definatley help. when powe is healthy his one of the best PF in the game finishing around the basket with both hands. especially considering his usually at a height disadvantage.

[JD Bastin]

lean pow

[It's All About 18]

Underrated... Maybe the best backup PF in the league

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Underrated... Maybe the best backup PF in the league

LOL *cough* Lamar Odom *cough*

[tempo2]

^^ no diggity no doubt

[sprite]

Leon "One Hit Wonder" Powe