Option on Gooden to be Picked Up, Wagner's Declined

The Cavaliers are expected to pick up the 2005-06 option for Drew Gooden and decline it on Dajuan Wagner.

Gooden has been outstanding since the start of training camp and has carried fierce practice habits into the preseason games, where he's already piled up four double-doubles in limited minutes. After his 25-point, 10-rebound effort in Monday's victory over the Boston Celtics, Gooden is averaging 13 points, 11.4 rebounds and shooting 52 percent from the floor in an average of 26.7 minutes in the preseason.

Now with his third team in just his third season but with a starting job for the first time, Gooden and his camp are making no secret of their intentions. Which is why the option pickup might just be a start.

"Drew thinks he's in a very positive situation and he thinks the Cavaliers are a great fit for him right now," said Calvin Andrews, Gooden's agent. "The Cavaliers are in Drew's long-term plans."

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 draft, Gooden will make $3.2 million this season and the option year is worth $4.06 million.

After picking up Gooden's option, the Cavaliers will have about $22 million in salary committed for next season with two starters -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jeff McInnis -- becoming free agents. The salary cap is projected to be about $45 million, which would leave the Cavaliers room to be a major player in the free-agent game.

Wagner's option is worth $3.35 million next season, but the Cavaliers already have young players such as Luke Jackson and Sasha Pavlovic under cheaper long-term contracts and they both play Wagner's shooting guard position. In what is shaping up to be a deep year for shooting guards with Michael Redd, Joe Johnson and Ray Allen among those available, that money could be more valuable if freed up.

Via Akron Beacon-Journal

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So Long: Cavs Release Art Long, Trim Roster to 14

Cleveland Cavaliers President Jim Paxson announced Tuesday he has released veteran forward/center Art Long.

Long appeared in three games with the Cavaliers during the preseason. He averaged 2.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15 minutes.

The roster now stands at 14 players. Teams must set their rosters at 12 players by 6 p.m. Monday. Shooting guard Dajuan Wagner is likely headed to the injured list with a sprained right ankle. Center DeSagana Diop (sprained right middle finger) could also be headed to the injured list. If he's healthy enough to play, then swingman Aleksandar Pavlovic could be the other player deactivated.

Via Cleveland Morning Journal

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Cavs Made a Run for Welsh During 2004 NBA Draft

According to sources, prior to the draft the Cavs offered the Celtics their No. 1 pick (No. 10 overall) for Jiri Welsch and one of Boston's last two choices in the first round (Nos. 24 or 25). The Celtics ultimately turned it down, but it is a measure of what they think of Welsch that they would pass up the chance to get Robert Swift, whom Danny Ainge coveted, and still be able to take Al Jefferson at 15.

Jiri Welsh played his first season with Golden State, but saw very little action playing behind Gilbert Arenas, Earl Boykins and Jason Richardson.

He had a promising campaign last season with the Celtics.

Via Boston Herald

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