After months of speculation, the deal has finally been closed and veteran forward Shawn Marion is now a Cleveland Cavalier.
Marion signed a one year contract for the veteran minimum of $1.4 million on Wednesday. Entering his 16th NBA season, Marion appeared in 76 games for the Mavericks last season and averaged 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds in 31.7 minutes.
Although Marion was a starter for the Mavericks, it is almost certain he will be coming off the bench for the Cavaliers, as LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving have formed a new “Big Three.”
Marion can play both forward spots, which makes him and James interchangeable at those positions against many of the teams. With Marion’s presence it will allow James to move to shooting guard if coach David Blatt wants to put a big lineup on the floor.
Marion is both a versatile and talented player that will have an impact on both ends of the floor in guarding multiple positions. Marion is a four-time All-Star(2003, 2005-07) and two-time All-NBA Third Team pick (2005, ’06), and has averaged 15.8 points per game on .485 shooting from the field and .811 at the line in his career. Marion also averaged 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks during stops in Phoenix, Miami, Toronto and Dallas.
Marion brings much-needed playoff experience, as he has played in 103 playoffs games, joining James, Love, Mike Miller and James Jones as key off-season acquisitions by general manager David Griffin.