Cavaliers Still Waiting on Mario Hezonja Clearance; Nuggets, Peyton Watson Far Apart; Lakers Continue Search for a Center
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Cleveland, Denver and Los Angeles are juggling roster questions as the NBA offseason rolls on.
Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to finalize their veteran-minimum agreement with forward Mario Hezonja. League sources told Marc Stein that the club must first secure a FIBA letter of clearance from Real Madrid, where Hezonja played last season.
Spanish outlet Marca reported that Real Madrid contends Hezonja missed the deadline to satisfy his NBA exit clause. The club has reportedly discussed allowing the former No. 5 overall pick to join Cleveland while retaining his EuroLeague rights, a move that would restrict him from signing with another European team if he returns overseas.
Nuggets
Negotiations between the Denver Nuggets and restricted free agent Peyton Watson remain unresolved. Stein reported that Denver’s latest proposal is worth roughly $16 million to $18 million per season, but the 21-year-old wing is said to be seeking a larger deal.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com noted on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast that the Cavaliers are among the teams monitoring Watson’s situation. A potential sign-and-trade would be complicated by salary-cap constraints facing both Denver and Cleveland.
Lakers
After signing centers Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney earlier this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers are still evaluating options for additional front-court depth, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. The Lakers currently have 16 guaranteed contracts, so adding another player would require a trade or another roster move before opening night.
Source: Hoops Wire
