The Cavs are believed to have offered Barnes a multiyear contract but for less than the Toronto Raptors offered.
View full sizeWhile the Cavaliers are interested in signing Matt Barnes, they are not interested in getting into a bidding war with other teams.CLEVELAND, Ohio — Just when they thought they were out, the Cavaliers are pulled back in.
Monday night, free-agent forward Matt Barnes told fans on his Twitter page that he was headed to the Toronto Raptors. The Cavs, like several teams who courted the gritty journeyman, were ready to move on after they had apparently missed out.
Only, the two-year offer Barnes had agreed to with the Raptors required a sign-and-trade with Barnes' old team, the Orlando Magic, that didn't come off. Because of several salary-cap restrictions, some of which are well-known and fundamental, the deal was impossible. So, in short, it collapsed.
Cut to the chase: The Cavs are back in the race for Barnes, according to a source close to him.
Just how much in the chase, well, that is a matter of negotiation. The Cavs are believed to have offered Barnes a multiyear contract but for less than the Raptors offered. Though Toronto and Orlando still are trying to find a way to make the Barnes deal happen, it doesn't seem likely.
At the moment, the Cavs, who have their entire $5.8 million midlevel exception to spend, can pay Barnes more than the Raptors can or more than the Magic can in a sign-and-trade. The Raptors already have spent a bulk of their midlevel on forward Linas Kleiza.
That puts the Cavs in a position of strength. But as was seen when they thought they had lost Barnes to Toronto, they don't appear interested in getting into a bidding war for Barnes.
Last season, Barnes averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds as a wing defensive stopper for the Magic. Playing opposite Vince Carter, Barnes often took the opposition's best scorer and furthered his reputation for being a rugged and tough defender.
But he's played for seven different teams in his career, a reminder that committing long-term to him may not be the best policy. And based on talks the Cavs have with other free agents this off-season, that doesn't appear to be in their plans.
Eyenga update: Expect the Cavs to make a decision soon on whether to sign 2009 first-round draft pick Christian Eyenga. The talented 21-year-old shooting guard averaged 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds on 44 percent shooting in five summer league games last week in Las Vegas.
It seems likely the Cavs will sign Eyenga to a slotted contract of about $2 million over the next two seasons with an option for years three and four. They let him play in Spain last season to develop, but he didn't get much playing time and stalled a bit. Even if he needs to spend time in the D-League next season, the highly athletic guard seems primed to start his NBA career.