The Cavaliers are guaranteeing the $6.7 million contract of small forward Cedi Osman for the 2023-24 season, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Cleveland had until Thursday to decide whether to pick up the guarantee on Osman’s deal, or just waive him and allow him to enter free agency.
While the Cavs like Osman, sources outside the organizations said they suspect he could be used as a potential trade chip ahead of next season.
Osman, 28, had a slight dip in production last season, averaging 8.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 77 games, shooting 45 percent from the field and 37 percent on 3-pointers. His 20.1 minutes per game were the lowest since his rookie year of 2017-18.
Given that waiving Osman wouldn’t have helped the Cavs receive meaningful cap room, guaranteeing his deal and using his expiring salary as a possible trade chip makes sense.
The Cavs are $37.5 million below the luxury-tax line, per Bobby Marks of ESPN. “Cleveland has the full use of the $12.4M non-tax midlevel, $4.5M biannual and vet minimum,” Marks wrote.
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