Good things come in small packages and 5’9” guard Kay Felder out of Oakland University is eager to carry that mantra when he suits up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs pulled off an under-the-radar move on draft night by doling out $2.4 million to purchase his rights from the Atlanta Hawks.
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In Tony Paul’s article for The Detroit News, Felder expressed how much he understands the amount of money that Cleveland invested in him right off the bat, and he is grateful for the opportunity to learn from the champions.
I feel like I owe them all my hard work. I’ll never quit on them for as long as they have me.
Cleveland, the best player in the world, they’ve got guys that want to win. I’m a winner, in my eyes. I just want to be a part of that.
Heading into the draft, Felder was projected to go in the first round. But despite hearing 53 other names called before his former point guard, Greg Kampe, Felder’s coach back in college, believes that he will have his opportunities in the already-tight roster of coach Tyronn Lue.
That’s almost like a guaranteed contract. You’re probably gonna give him a really good chance.
I think he’ll respond great.
$2.4 million is a serious sum for a player drafted very late in the second round. While Felder’s contract is likely to be unguaranteed, Cleveland have already shelled out cold cash simply to get his rights which essentially made the same impact on Dan Gilbert’s pockets as that of signing a veteran to a guaranteed deal.
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Right now, the high-flying point guard stands as an insurance policy in case Matthew Dellavedova, an unrestricted free agent, signs elsewhere. But once given some run, Kay Felder could easily become a crowd favorite at The Q.