As far as 2017 offseason moves go, the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers simply haven’t made many. However, the Cavs did manage to re-sign veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver and add two new faces to their bench rotation. One of those new faces, point guard José Calderón, was officially welcomed to the team today.
Calderón, a three-time Olympic medalist with his native Spanish National Team (two silver, one bronze), seems thrilled to play with the Cavaliers. In fact, the crafty ball-handler sent out an appreciative message to his followers on Twitter once his signing went official earlier this evening.
Ahora es oficial!
Muy feliz de empezar este nuevo reto!Really happy, can't wait to start this new challenge.#DefendtheLand @cavs pic.twitter.com/DrusEqIKv3
— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) July 10, 2017
Calderón, 35, will likely serve as Kyrie Irving‘s backup next season, as Deron Williams‘ future with the team is still uncertain. Over the course of his 14-year career in the NBA, “The Ocho,” as he is internationally known, has averaged 9.6 points on 47% shooting from the field (41% from beyond the arc), 6.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 28 minutes per game. Last season, one that was served with two teams (Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks), Calderón averaged just 3.5 points (41% field), 2.2 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per contest.
Why the dip in production, you ask? A hamstring injury plagued Calderón’s stint with the Lakers, which led them to waive him on February 27th, 2017. A few weeks later, on March 4th, Calderón was claimed off waivers by the Hawks.
An efficient player with a great free-throw stroke, Calderón will bring veteran leadership, court vision, and a dash of Euro-spice to Northeast Ohio.
