CLEVELAND (AP) Larry Sanders walked away from the NBA. He’s coming back to a team that needs his help.
Sanders, who left the league two years ago, will sign with the champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press. Sanders is taking his physical and once it’s completed, he will sign for the remainder of the season, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced any roster moves.
The Cavs are just 2-5 in March and have been adding new pieces for weeks while battling key injuries. Cleveland has been looking for another frontcourt player after newly signed center Andrew Bogut broke his left leg last week after just 58 seconds of his debut. Bogut is expected to be waived to clear a roster spot for Sanders.
The 6-foot-11 Sanders will bring Cleveland a shot-blocking interior player. They’ve been thin up front all season after letting Timofey Mozgov leave as a free agent and Sanders will give Cavs coach Tyronn Lue some depth.
LeBron James is interested to see if Sanders can help.
”An athletic big guy, incredible shot-blocking skills, anticipation around the rim, can finish around the rim and block shots and being able to guard perimeter guys as well,” James said before the team offered Sanders a deal.
”It looks like he wants another opportunity and hopefully if we’re the team, hopefully we give him an opportunity,” James said. ”Why not? Everyone deserves a second chance and it look like he wants to get back to playing the game he loves and hopefully this is his destination.”
Sanders worked out for Cleveland last month, but the team decided to sign Bogut instead after he was traded by Dallas and then waived by Philadelphia. The 28-year-old Sanders averaged 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he hasn’t played since February 2015.
It’s possible Sanders could spend some time with Cleveland’s D-League affiliate to work on his conditioning before joining the Cavs.
In 2015, Sanders was suspended for 10 games in for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. It was his second suspension for marijuana use.
—
AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
25% Bonus via Western Union
