The Cleveland Cavaliers have continued their offseason remodeling by signing restricted free agent Jamario Moon to an offer sheet, according to NBA front-office sources. Full details of the offer sheet are unlikely to be known until Monday, when the contract is submitted to the league office. League rules dictate that offer sheets must span three years in length, but sources told ESPN.com that the deal is likely guaranteed for only the first two years. The Miami Heat will have seven days to match the offer once it's formally processed, but Cleveland would appear to have a good chance of landing Moon given Miami's well-chronicled desire to avoid new contracts longer than one year to protect its 2010 salary-cap space. There are exceptions to that policy, as evidenced by Miami's well-chronicled attempts to sign Lamar Odom away from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Heat, though, have multiple players at Moon's position -- Daequan Cook, James Jones and Yakhouba Diawara -- even if they don't land Odom, raising doubts about their ability to keep him. After trading for Shaquille O'Neal and signing Anthony Parker to take their payroll beyond the $80 million mark, Cleveland has spent the past week looking for free-agent bargains as it tries to add depth at the wing positions and find a power forward that can stretch the floor with his jumper. The Cavs had been linked in recent days to forwards such as Rob Kurz and Sean May before signing Moon. It's believed that the Cavs were hooked on Moon's ability to guard mobile forwards after their struggles to contain Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis in the Eastern Conference finals against Orlando. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Cavs have about $3.2 million left of their $5.9 million mid-level exception that they can use in whole or part to sign Moon. Moon, 29, is a 6-foot-8 late bloomer with career averages of 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds since breaking into the NBA with the Toronto Raptors in 2007-08. Miami acquired him in February in the Shawn Marion-Jermaine O'Neal trade. According to the Plain Dealer, Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry typically avoids players who are restricted free agents, as evidenced by the fact that this is the first such offer sheet he has extended in his four years running Cleveland's front office. The Cavs, however, are clearly hoping that Miami's focus on Odom and the potential trade pursuit of Carlos Boozer will enhance their chances of landing Moon, while an offer sheet also prevents Miami from including Moon in sign-and-trade proposals for the next week. Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4339432
I was really impressed by Moon in his rookie year. Didn't watch him too much last year. I think this could be a good pick up for them.
What makes you say that? The Heat are in EXCELLENT shape for next year, cap-wise. They will likely have only Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, James Jones (partially guaranteed), Daequan Cook and Mario Chalmers. In fact, the Heat could choose not to pick up any options (highly unlikely) and have only Wade on the payroll next year (and if Wade opts out, they'd have NO ONE on the roster). I think if they can lock a guy like Jamario Moon in at a reasonable price, they can definitely afford to do so. They'll still have enough room at add Chris Bosh next summer.
He better not Dunk on Lebron in Pratice....Because "King" will get him cut, anyway it doesn't matter who they sign if the rockets re-sign Wafer then the Championship lands in Houston GO CLUTCH!!!!
i agree i like his game. he is a great complimentary player to fit around guys who can carry the scoring load. lots of hustle in this guy. good length too.
Moon to to the Cavs? Eh not that impress by the way I saw Shaq yesterday at 24 Fitness in Pearland at 11 pm.
If this happens then its a case of another team getting stronger. Moon would be a great addition to the Cav's bench. He and probably Parker would form a good combination in the sf position. They will be reunited from their days in Toronto.
The Cavs have yet to make a significant game changing offseason move. Both Orlando and Boston have made significant moves that could easily take them to the Eastern Conference Championship.
Sometimes you do not have to make major moves to succeed. Although the Cavs got Shaq, Their " small" moves might be as effective then the major moves of the other teams. It is a matter of filling in gaps in the roster to improve an already strong team.
Good signing for Cavs, but until they get another true All-star (part-time Shaq doesn't count) they'll never win the championship. Moon is not "the last piece of the puzzle", it's more like "oh boy we are really desperate for something new so fans don't blame the front office when we lose".
