Big Jake Signs With Cavs

[George O'Brien]

Cavs sign center to offer sheet

Grizzlies have 15 days to match offer for 7-2 Tsakalidis

It's as if the basketball gods have spoken.

The Cavaliers signed restricted free agent center Iakovos "Jake" Tsakalidis (pronounced SOCK-a-lead-is) to a three-year offer sheet worth an estimated $9 million on Thursday. The Grizzlies have 15 days to match the offer. One league source said it was a "50-50" proposition whether Memphis matches.
What's peculiar is the Cavaliers came very close to drafting Tsakalidis in 2000 with the No. 8 pick. Richard T. Watson, the Cavaliers' secretary and legal counsel, examined Tsakalidis' contract with AEK in Greece and determined it was valid. The Cavaliers deemed his contract was too risky and backed off from drafting the 7-foot-2, 290-pounder.

"Once the Cavs determined his contract was valid in Greece, no one wanted to touch him," said Bill Pollack, Tsakalidis' agent. That caused Tsakalidis to plummet to No. 25 in the first round to the Phoenix Suns, who won their arbitration case with FIBA. "It was a complex matter," Pollack said. "But it would be ironic if he ended up with Cleveland. It would be a good circle."

With Tsakalidis out of the picture in 2000, the Cavaliers traded for University of Texas center Chris Mihm (whom Chicago had drafted with the seventh pick).

Even though Memphis coach Hubie Brown reportedly wants Tsakalidis back, it's not cut-and-dry. The Grizzlies already have 16 players with guaranteed contracts on their roster, and that's not counting restricted free agent Stromile Swift. The Grizzlies already have a payroll that exceeds $58 million (not counting Swift). If there is a luxury tax next year, the projected threshold is in the $59 million range.

"Conventional wisdom is with 17 players already under contract (counting Swift) and a potential luxury tax, they would be hard pressed to match," Pollack said. "They didn't play (Tsakalidis) last year. It might be a very expensive match. They'll have to eat two contracts to get to 15."
Tsakalidis appeared in only 40 games last year for the Grizzlies and averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds and shot 50.4 percent from the field. The Republic of Georgia native was traded to Memphis last October, along with forward Bo Outlaw, in exchange for Brevin Knight and Cezary Trybanski.
Tsakalidis has averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds and shot 47.5 percent from the field in his first four seasons of his NBA career.

"We've said we had a need for a backup center behind (Zydrunas Ilgauskas)," Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson said. "We still think DeSagana (Diop) has a role. Based on (Tsakalidis') toughness and size, he was someone we thought we should pursue. He's only 25."

Cavaliers coach Paul Silas had dinner with Tsakalidis in Las Vegas when the former worked Michael Jordan's camp.

"Paul has to have a comfort level with his players," Paxson said. "If Memphis doesn't match, I think it will work out well. Up front, we'd have some depth and versatility."

Tsakalidis, who played for AEK in Greece for four years before coming to the NBA, would give the Cavaliers solid depth up front. He's known as one of the strongest players in the league. He's not a shot blocker, but alters many shots.

If Memphis matches the offer, the Cavaliers are considering forward/center Keon Clark.

Big Jake is one of the few guys who can battle Shaq in the low block, but it seems like a lot of money for just four games.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

This means they are really unhappy with Diop at this point. That, or they think Jake will replace the minimal stuff Mihm did last season.

I know Diop has been a bust of of late, but the potential is still there to be a defensive monster.

I agree it is an aweful lot to spend on him though.

 

[JerkFace]

i heard on the radio that memphis is going to match the offer sheet.

 

[scotsman13]

i heard on the radio that memphis is going to match the offer sheet.

yea and i heard that the clipper were going to match "q" but it didnt happen did it?

 

[JerkFace]

yea and i heard that the clipper were going to match "q" but it didnt happen did it?

 

[JerkFace]

Jake Tsakalidis signed a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, ending Cleveland's bid to acquire the reserve center.

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/sports/9632774.htm