Report: Cavaliers 'aren't in a hurry' to make a decision on Sasha Kaun
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With little money left to spend, the Cleveland Cavaliers "aren't in a hurry" to make a final decision on the future of Russian center Sasha Kaun, a league source told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon.
Kaun, 30, was selected 56th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, the franchise's final pick before moving to Oklahoma City and becoming the Thunder. The Cavaliers later acquired the 7-footer for cash considerations.
Kaun reportedly had dinner with front-office personnel Friday night in Las Vegas after he was seen courtside at a summer league game with LeBron James, head coach David Blatt, and assistant Tyronn Lue.
Blatt coached Kaun when Russia won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, so there's a pre-existing relationship in place should the Cavs find a way to fit the big man into next season's roster.
Cleveland is already above the $85-million luxury tax line after coming to terms on new contracts with James and Kevin Love, and that's not even taking into account potential deals for J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Matthew Dellavedova.
Kaun, who averaged 9.9 points and 4.5 rebounds last season with CSKA Moscow, could receive the veteran's minimum or what's left of the team's taxpayer's cap exception. He recently told the Northeast Ohio Media Group that money is "something that shouldn't be a problem," a sign he might be willing to take less than the $2.9 million he was making annually overseas to play professionally in America.
It's possible general manager David Griffin, who reportedly said he would "love to have" Kaun on the team, will wait until decisions are made on the future of some of his rotational players from last season before moving forward with Kaun.
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