D’Aundray Brown

Cavs Waive Eric, Jones, Brown

The Cavs have waived Micheal Eric, Kevin Jones and D'Aundray Brown, the team reports via Twitter. The moves bring the team's roster down to the regular-season limit of 15. Eric's deal was partially guaranteed for $300K, while Jones had a partial guarantee of $50K. Brown's contract was non-guaranteed.

Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio tweets that Brown appears headed to the team's D-League affiliate in Canton, while it's unclear whether Eric will wind up there. Jones will likely go elsewhere, Amico says.

Odds & Ends: Spurs, Thunder, Cavaliers, Deng

Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK lists Daniel OrtonDeAndre LigginsAndy Rautins, and Hollis Thompson as the four Thunder hopefuls looking to earn the team's final roster spot. While he believes that Liggins has the best chance considering the bulk of minutes he's played during the pre-season, Mayberry also considers Orton as a strong candidate because of his potential. He adds that a popular idea would be for Oklahoma City to waive or trade a guaranteed contract in order to keep both Liggins and Orton, although such a possibility seems unlikely at this point. With that aside, you can find more of tonight's miscellaneous links below: 

  • Former Memphis Tiger Wesley Witherspoon believes that being around the veteran leadership in San Antonio would be a great place to start his career if he makes the team (Jason Smith of The Memphis Edge reports). On another note, Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation writes that Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard isn't worried about his pre-season shooting slump affecting his shot once the regular season starts. 
  • Fran Blinebury of NBA.com explains why it would be prudent for Oklahoma City to wait on a possible extension for James Harden, most notably to see if he can remain healthy this season and maintain a high level of play. 
  • Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio says that the Cavaliers are expected to send recently-signed D'Aundray Brown to the D-League, even though he would still take up a spot on the team's official season roster. He also speculates that three roster cuts are likely to be decided from a group that includes Jeremy Pargo, Kevin Jones, Luke Harangody, and Micheal Eric.
  • Although Luol Deng dealt with a torn ligament in his left wrist last season and ultimately decided against surgery during the summer, the Bulls forward now feels confident enough to play at a high level and said that he hasn't been feeling any pain (Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago reports).  
  • Sean Deveney of the Sporting News explains some of the biggest responsibilities that current deputy commissioner Adam Silver will have once he is set to replace David Stern, including television contract negotiations, collective bargaining, European expansion, and development of the D-League.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution engaged in a Q&A with Hawks forward Josh Smith about his expectations this season and the challenges he anticipates for the team. In a separate article, Daniel Christian of Sheridan Hoops discusses five reasons to be optimistic about Atlanta this year.
  • Jim Eichenhofer of Hornets.com talks briefly about New Orleans' confidence in the versatility and scoring ability of Hornets rookie Austin Rivers.

Cavaliers Sign D’Aundray Brown

While teams around the league are making cuts to pare their rosters down to the regular-season limit, the Cavaliers are actually adding players. The Cavs have signed D'Aundray Brown to a contract, the team announced today in a press release.

Brown, who turned 24 on Sunday, is an undrafted rookie out of Cleveland State. The 6'4" guard averaged 10.8 PPG and 4.5 RPG in his senior year in 2011/12.

The timing of the move is unusual, as Monday represents the deadline for teams to reduce their rosters to 15 players each. Having signed Brown, the Cavs now have 18 players under contract. I would guess the team brought the local product on board in hopes of sending him to their D-League affiliate in Canton.