Here's the latest out of Cleveland on a Cavs team that Kyrie Irving thinks is ready to contend for the playoffs:
- Appearing on ESPN 850 WKNR in Cleveland (link via Sports Radio Interviews), Irving talked about his expectations for the team: "I have high hopes for us. Obviously our number one goal is to make the playoffs this year and we’re definitely going to attain that as long as we continue to get better and as long as we compete every single night."
- Irving added that he's excited about the players the front office drafted and acquired in the offseason, and that he's looking forward to starting to play with them.
- Several sources tell Bob Finnan of the News-Herald that they believe Anderson Varejao will be traded by the Cavs at this season's trade deadline.
- Varejao, for his part, said yesterday that he wants to remain a Cav, though he recognizes he doesn't have much control over the situation: "I'm still here. I can't control that. If they trade me, they trade me…. I'm happy in Cleveland. I love the city and I love the fans."
- The Cavs aren't worried about replacing Antawn Jamison's 17.2 points per game, according to head coach Byron Scott.
- Kevin Jones signed a three-year pact with the Cavs, but only $50K of his 2012/13 salary is guaranteed, as Finnan writes. Our list of non-guaranteed contracts shows that a number of Cavs players have partial guarantees on their deals.