INDEPENDENCE — The Cavaliers added some depth to their front line Friday by signing veteran center Lorenzen Wright.
Terms of the deal were not announced, but the 6-foot-11, 255-pounder is believed to have received a one-year contract, most likely for the $1.26 million minimum for a player with at least 10 years in the league.
Wright, 32, played 13 games for Atlanta and five for Sacramento last season, his 12th in the NBA.
The journeyman is an insurance policy for the Cavaliers, who had only Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace, Anderson Varejao and rookie J.J. Hickson on their front line after dealing veteran Joe Smith in the three-team trade that brought point guard Mo Williams to Cleveland.
Wright was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the seventh overall pick in 1996. He has career averages of 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in 761 games (445 starts). Beginning in 2000-01, he averaged double figures in scoring for three straight seasons while playing for Atlanta and Memphis.
 “Lorenzen brings us valuable size and experience and adds depth to our front court,” Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said. “We think he’s a good fit for us and look forward to him joining our team.”
Wright, who will be joining his fifth NBA team, has appeared in 15 postseason games (11 starts). He averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in those contests.
The veteran does not figure to be a regular member of coach Mike Brown’s rotation. His role will be similar to the one occupied by Scot Pollard two years ago — a proven insurance policy in the event one of the other big men goes down and a quality practice player who will allow Ilgauskas and Wallace to rest at various times during the season.
Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4061 or rickn@ohio.net.

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.