Roster changes still possible
Buyouts of free agents allowed until next week
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - The trade deadline has passed, but the Cavaliers' hopes for adding a piece to their roster aren't totally dead.
A new player acquisition period is beginning and runs through next week: buyout season.
With a number of teams already out of contention and with no more trades to be made, veterans and players at the end of their contracts often ask to be let out of their deals at this time of year. The deadline to be released and still be eligible to play in the playoffs is March 1. No players publicly have asked to be let out, but that sort of talk happens every year at this time.
The Cavs have put themselves in position to earn a high playoff seed, which potentially makes them a landing place for an eager free agent who hits the open market this late in the year.
They have a full roster of 15 players, but might consider waiving a player if they were able to upgrade their roster with a free agent.
Already this season, four players have been bought out and joined other teams. Maurice Taylor left the New York Knicks and went to the Sacramento Kings, although he was later waived. Jalen Rose left the Knicks and went to the Phoenix Suns, Chris Webber left the Philadelphia 76ers and went to the Detroit Pistons and Eddie Jones left the Memphis Grizzlies and signed with the Miami Heat.
The Cavs also might consider a free agent who hasn't played with a team this season, specifically the recently available Scottie Pippen.
Pippen told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that he has decided to go ahead with his comeback attempt and hopes to schedule private workouts with teams in the coming days. Pippen also said ``a half-dozen'' teams had called him.
Sources said the Cavs are one of the teams that have contacted Pippen and might consider working him out within the next week or so. Before making any decision, the Cavs might wait and see if any other players shake loose by next week's deadline.
Pippen, 41, told the Beacon Journal last week that he was intrigued by the Cavs and saw an opening as a point guard, a role he believes that he can play. He said he wants to play for a contender and preferred the Heat, who are near his Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home.
But circumstances might have changed due to Dwyane Wade's shoulder injury. In interviews with South Florida media, Heat coach Pat Riley also downplayed his team's interest. The Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and Suns are teams that also might have interest in Pippen.
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