Despite the drama surrounding Kyrie Irving’s request for a trade, the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers still managed to make several changes to their roster this offseason. First, the Cavs re-signed veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver to a three-year, $22 million deal in the early stages of July. Shortly after Korver’s deal was finalized, the Cavs brought in two free agent players: power forward Jeff Green and point guard Jose Calderon.
Calderon, a 35 year-old Olympic silver medalist (2008, 2012) who agreed to the terms of a one-year veteran’s minimum deal with the Cavs, has chosen to wear a unique number on his jersey. Most players like to wear a specific number, but Calderon’s choice of the number 81 is certainly intriguing. According to Sean Highken of @TheAthleticChi and @LockedOnBulls, Calderon will be the first player in NBA history to wear the integer.
https://twitter.com/highkin/status/896063815615266817
Over the course of his 12 seasons in the NBA, Calderon has racked up averages of 9.6 points on 40% shooting from the field, 6.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game. Calderon split last season’s NBA campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 3.4 points on 41% shooting from the field and 2.1 assists in 13.4 minutes per contest.
Hopefully, Calderon will be a solid player off the bench for Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue — no matter what number he chooses to wear.