Luu - cious being looked at by Cavs and Bucks...and Rox

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/9747649.htm

The Cavaliers are believed to be one of three teams chasing Harris, who got a $1 million buyout from the restructuring Nets. The Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets have also shown interest. The Rockets are most interested as they're looking for insurance after guard Bob Sura went down with a back injury. All they can offer is their $1.6 million exception.
Guard Harris might join backup center By Brian Windhorst

CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers appear set to sign a backup center and might still be looking for more.

According to NBA sources, after a meeting at his Danville, Ill., home on Thursday, the Cavaliers have decided not to offer Keon Clark a contract and instead will sign veteran Scott Williams in the next few days.

Additionally, sources say, the Cavaliers are preparing an offer for guard Lucious Harris, who was bought out and released by the New Jersey Nets last week.

Cavaliers director of personnel Mark Warkentien, who knew Clark when the two were at UNLV, made a second trip to see Clark this week to discuss his interest in coming to Cleveland. It now appears that Clark, who missed virtually all of last season with an ankle injury, isn't likely to start the season with any team.

Williams visited the Cavaliers last Friday and is expected to sign a contract for the veteran minimum of $1.1 million. The 36-year-old Williams averaged 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 43 games with the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns last season.

He'll be replacing Tony Battie, who was traded in July for Drew Gooden, and will split time with DeSagana Diop backing up Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

If the Cavaliers are able to land the 33-year-old, 6-foot-5 Harris, he would be both the 14th player under contract and an insurance policy. He can play shooting guard and point guard and would back up Jeff McInnis and Eric Snow.

Harris is an 11-year NBA veteran who was a key player in the Nets' Eastern Conference championships in 2002 and 2003. He averaged 6.9 points and 2.0 assists in 20 minutes per game last season and has averaged 7.5 points during his career.

The Cavaliers are believed to be one of three teams chasing Harris, who got a $1 million buyout from the restructuring Nets. The Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets have also shown interest. The Rockets are most interested as they're looking for insurance after guard Bob Sura went down with a back injury. All they can offer is their $1.6 million exception.

The Cavaliers are believed to be offering Harris a one-year contract for about $2 million.

 

I agree on both points.

 

http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13027086&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21848&rfi=6

The Cavaliers have more than $3 million left on their mid-level exception and are trying to sign veteran shooting guard Lucious Harris. There apparently is a minor snag on the length of the deal.
"We've had some conversations (with Harris' agent, Jerome Stanley)," Paxson said. "We're still looking to see if adding another veteran makes sense for us. There's interest (from some other teams). It's something that has to make sense for both sides. It's not just financially. It's the length and some different things."

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/9787536.htm

(Scott) Williams is believed to have signed a one-year contract worth about $1.6 million, which leaves the Cavaliers with $2.5 million left to spend on another free agent if they choose. The team is believed to have an offer for about that amount on the table for another veteran, guard Lucious Harris, and Harris is said to be considering it.

A possible issue is the length of the deal. Harris, recently cut by New Jersey, wants a two-year pact, and the Cavaliers are only offering one with partial guarantees on a second year. The Houston Rockets are believed to have also offered Harris a deal for about $1.6 million this season.

"We've had constructive talks with Lucious,'' Paxson said. "We're looking to see if we can do something that makes sense for us.''

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1096536686218230.xml

Cavaliers expect to sign veteran guard Harris
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Branson Wright Plain Dealer Reporter

Lucious Harris is expected to sign with the Cavaliers today, according to league sources. Harris, a 6-5 guard who last played with the New Jersey Nets, made an oral agreement with the Cavs Wednesday night.

Harris became a free agent when he was waived by the Nets last week. Harris averaged 7.7 points, 1.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 456 games with the Nets. His best season was during 2002-03, when he averaged 10.3 points. He came off the bench and played a big role in helping the Nets to win two Eastern Division titles.

Harris will enter his 12th NBA season. He finished his time with the Nets ranked sixth in games played and fifth in 3-pointers made with 236.

Harris' agent, Jerome Stanley, said his client would be a good fit with the Cavs.

"It would be a good fit because Lucious believes the Cavs are going in the right direction, and Lucious will be an asset because of his championship experience."

If LeBron James is moved to small forward, Harris will compete for the starting shooting guard position. Harris also can play point guard. Harris is the latest free agent to sign with the Cavs. On Tuesday, backup center Scott Williams signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-6136